Slovakia Holds Referendum on Lifetime Allowances for Top Officials and Special Prosecutor

Slovakia began a referendum on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Voters are deciding two questions: whether to keep lifetime allowances for top state officials, including current Prime Minister Robert Fico, after their terms end, and whether to reinstate the special prosecutor's office that handles serious crimes and corruption.

The referendum was called based on a petition initiated by the pro-European liberal-conservative "Democrats" party, which is not represented in parliament. The petition gathered over 350,000 signatures out of 5.4 million citizens.

So far, only one referendum has been successful in Slovakia—the 2003 vote on joining the European Union. All others failed due to low voter turnout. Polls now suggest turnout will again fall below the 50% threshold required for the result to be valid.

Under current law, prime ministers and speakers of parliament who have served at least two full terms receive a lifetime allowance equivalent to an MP's salary. This allowance was introduced after the 2024 assassination attempt on Fico. Previously, only former presidents were entitled to such a benefit.

In 2024, Fico's coalition also pushed through the abolition of the special prosecutor's office for organized crime and corruption. A corresponding police unit was also dissolved. The decisions drew sharp criticism both at home and abroad, with thousands taking to the streets in protest. Many of Fico's allies have been implicated in corruption scandals.