Slovak Republic votes overwhelmingly to join the EU, May 2003

Just a week after Lithuanians voted to join the European Union, Slovaks also decided to support membership. A two-day referendum, held on 16-17 May, produced a huge majority in favour of EU membership, with some 92% of participants voting in favour, and just 6% or so voting against. With pre-referendum opinion polls suggesting an 80-20 split in favour of joining, the result was even more pro-EU than expected, possibly, as the Financial Times suggested, because '[many 'No' voters in rural districts appear to have stayed at home.'

The Republic's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Integration, Pal Csaky, said the vote was 'a success for all citizens of Slovakia ... a result of free people in a free process.'

At 52.15%, participation in the referendum was only just above the 50% required to make the result legally binding. Indeed, a low turnout on the first day of polling caused leaders to make a special plea on Saturday, 17 May, asking citizens 'to use the little time you have left to go to the polls to give your say on the road ahead for our country'.

The 'yes' vote was reportedly welcomed by the European Commission, which congratulated Slovakia 'for the overwhelming support for EU accession' which, said the Commission, 'demonstrates the strong will of the Slovak people to join the European family of democratic nations as a member of the European Union, with equal rights and obligations.'

According to the BBC, 'Slovakia is still one of the poorer countries in the region, but with EU entry now assured, many hope membership will bring jobs and prosperity.' This appears to be a view held by many in the Acceding Countries: that joining the European Union will - if not immediately - bring more trade, more jobs and more money.

Of the five referenda held so far, the highest turnout was in Malta, where 91% of those eligible took part in the ballot, although just 53.6% voted 'yes' - by far the lowest level of support so far recorded amongst the Acceding Countries. The Slovak Republic's vote of 92% or so in favour of EU membership was just higher than the 91% recorded in Lithuania. The lowest turnout, however, was in Hungary, where only 46% of voters participated.

The next Acceding States to vote will be Poland and the Czech Republic, which hold their referendums on 8 June and 15-16 June respectively. The final plebiscites will be held in September, with Estonia going to the polls on the 14th and Latvia on the 20th.

Links:

BBC News Online:
	18.05.03:	Slovaks say 'Yes' to EU
Slovak Republic Government Office:
	Homepage
European Sources Online: In Focus
	Malta says 'yes' to EU, March 2003
	Slovenes vote to join the EU and NATO, March 2003
	Hungary and Malta both say 'yes' to EU, but Poland vetoes EEA deal, April 2003
	Lithuanians vote to join EU, May 2003
European Sources Online: Topic Guides
	Enlargement of the European Union
	Information on European countries: Slovak Republic [Slovakia - Slovenská Republika, Slovensko]

Eric Davies
Researcher
Compiled: Monday, 19 May 2003

In Slovakia's referendum on joining the EU, 92% of those who turned out voted in favour of the country's accession to the EU in 2004.