81% of Slovaks back EU membership — so why is Fico trying to rewrite the 2003 accession vote?

Slovak prime minister Robert Fico seems confused about the reasons for Slovakia’s EU accession referendum in 2003, or perhaps he is intentionally spreading misinformation. In a recent meeting with a former Czech counterpart, the Slovak PM astoundingly claimed his country’s EU accession vote in 2003 was rigged. He suggested to the audience at a panel event that “the referendum was so close that some adjustments were made to ensure it turned out as it was supposed to”. “We held a referendum which, had it not been rigged, would not have succeeded,” Fico claimed. Referendum was not necessary Slovakia was admitted to the EU in April 2003, when the Treaty of Accession was signed by Slovakia alongside nine other states. Slovakia's EU accession referendum then took place in May 2003. The ballot paper read: “Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should become a Member State of the EU?” If EU accession had required a referendum first, Slovakia could not have scheduled it before its EU membership had already become legally binding under international law. Moreover, the referendum was merely optional in nature. Its outcome could not have in any way “cancelled” the already concluded process of accession to the EU. Fico is evidently confused about why the referendum was held, or he is deliberately spreading false claims. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login