Slovak party HLAS pushes referendum on early elections

The HLAS – Social Democracy party in Slovakia said it will re‑submit a constitutional amendment that would allow a nationwide referendum on shortening the parliamentary term of the National Council and triggering early elections. Party leader and Speaker of the National Council Richard Raši argued that “the possibility for citizens to decide in a referendum on early termination of the parliamentary term is one of the basic principles of democracy” and that citizens must be able to “take power away from politicians if they betray public trust.”

Raši criticised opposition parties for rejecting the proposal, saying they are denying citizens a direct tool to respond when a government deviates from its promises. The party plans to file the amendment as a separate constitutional bill at the next opportunity, despite opposition from Progressive Slovakia, KDH and SaS, which have publicly opposed the referendum concept.