Slovak parliament passes legendary Russia sanctions resolution

2025-06-11 04:30:43

(MENAFN) The Slovak parliament has approved a resolution opposing further sanctions on Russia, forbidding government officials from supporting new international restrictions against Moscow. The resolution cites the negative economic impact sanctions have had on Slovakia’s industry and population.

Out of 76 MPs present during Thursday’s vote, 55 supported the motion, 23 abstained, and one opposed it, while opposition lawmakers did not participate. Introduced by the Slovak National Party (SNS), the resolution argues that sanctions have led to higher energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and weakened Slovakia’s competitiveness. It calls on the government to prioritize the country’s economic interests and resist international measures that could harm Slovak businesses and citizens.

SNS leader Andrej Danko described the resolution as “historic” and the first of its kind within the EU, emphasizing that the parliament acknowledges the economic harm sanctions inflict on Slovakia.

The vote followed a failed attempt to hold a nationwide referendum on the issue, which was blocked by President Peter Pellegrini. The referendum petition, backed by over 400,000 signatures—well above the required threshold—asked whether Slovakia should reject sanctions that hurt its citizens and entrepreneurs. Pellegrini refused the referendum due to ambiguous wording, noting it did not clarify which sanctions were targeted or who would decide if they were harmful.

Danko criticized the president for disregarding the public’s will and suggested that if there were legal concerns, the matter should have been referred to the Constitutional Court.

Slovakia has implemented all EU sanctions on Russia since the conflict escalated in February 2022. Prime Minister Robert Fico, who returned to office in 2023, has consistently opposed the sanctions, arguing they harm EU countries more than Russia.

After the vote, Danko stated the resolution would compel Fico to oppose any new EU sanctions on Russia but warned that Pellegrini still holds the power to veto the measure.

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