By: Moja Dolenjska
In the Svoboda party, and later also in the Levica party, they announced that they would call on voters to boycott the referendum on pension supplements for certain select individuals. The reason for the boycott was vividly explained in front of TV cameras by Sara Žibrat, MP and vice-president of the Gibanje Svoboda party.
She said that the privileged elite wants to enforce the bonuses by calling for a boycott of the referendum.
To reject the law in the referendum (i.e., to vote against it), 338,671 voters must vote “no.” That is the required quorum, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Since, particularly within Golob’s camp, there is concern that even their own supporters might vote against the law – as polls indicate – they now prefer to encourage non-participation, effectively calling for a boycott of the referendum.
The SDS and NSi parties view the call by the Gibanje Svoboda and Levica to boycott the referendum as inappropriate and as an appeal for voters to “forgo their civic right and duty,” which, they argue, contradicts both the Slovenian Constitution and the coalition agreement between the ruling parties.
SDS further states: “While many who have worked for 40 years are counting cents, the government will gift selected individuals between €1,200 and €2,400 every month.” That is why they are urging people to participate in the referendum, which will be held on May 11th.
Sara Žibrat’s public admission (Gibanje Svoboda) about the real reason behind their call to boycott the referendum: Sara Žibrat – video clip