Who can initiate an optional referendum at the national level?

CONSTITUTIONOF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

(Adopted 1992; lastamended 2006)

http://www.nrsr.sk/web/default.aspx?SectionId=124

Chapter5: Legislative Power

Part 1: The National Council ofthe Slovak Republic

Article 84

(1) TheNational Council of the Slovak Republic has a quorum if more than one-half ofall its Members of Parliament are present.

(2) For a resolution of the NationalCouncil of the Slovak Republic to be valid, it must be passed by more thanone-half of the Members of Parliament present, unless laid downotherwise by this Constitution.

Article 86

The power of theNational Council of the Slovak Republic comprises, above all:

c) deciding onproposals to call a referendum,

Part2: The Referendum

Article 95

(1) Thereferendum is called by the President of the Slovak Republic if requested by a petition signed by a minimumof 350,000 citizens, or on the basis of a resolution of the National Council of the SlovakRepublic, within 30 days after the receipt of the citizens' petition, orthe resolution of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.

(2) The President of the SlovakRepublic may, before calling a referendum, file with the Constitutional Courtof the Slovak Republic a petition for a decision whether the subject of thereferendum, which should be called on the basis of a citizens’ petition or aresolution of the National Council of the Slovak Republic pursuant to paragraph1, is in compliance with the Constitution or a constitutional law. Ifthe President of the Slovak Republic files with the Constitutional Court of theSlovak Republic a petition for a decision whether the subject of the referendumwhich should be called on the basis of a citizens’ petition or a resolution ofthe National Council of the Slovak Republic is in compliance with the Constitutionor a constitutional act, the period pursuant to paragraph 1 shall not continuefrom filing of a petition by the President of the Slovak Republic until thedecision of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic becomes effective.

Article 96

(1) The motion to pass a resolutionof the National Council of the Slovak Republic on calling a referendum may beintroduced by Members of Parliament, or by the Government of the SlovakRepublic.

(2) Areferendum shall be held within 90 days from the day it was called by thePresident of the Slovak Republic.

Chapter6: Executive Power

Part1: The President of the Slovak Republic

Article102

(1) The President

n) callsreferendums,

Article106

(1) ThePresident may be recalled before the termination of the term of office by apublic voting. A public voting on recalling of the President is called by the Speaker of theNational Council of the Slovak Republic based on the resolution of the NationalCouncil of the Slovak Republic adopted by not less than a three-fifths majorityof all members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic; he mustdo so within thirty days from adopting the resolution so that the referendumtakes place within 60 days after it has been called.

Chapter7: Judicial Power

Part1: The Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic

Article125b

(1) TheConstitutional Court decides whether the subject of the referendum to be calledon the basis of a citizens’ petition, or a resolution of the National Councilof the Slovak Republic pursuant to Article 95, paragraph 1, is in compliancewith the Constitution or a constitutional law.

(2) Thepetition for a decision pursuant to paragraph 1 may be filed with theConstitutional Court by the President of the Slovak Republic before calling ofa referendum, when he has doubts if the subject of the referendum to be calledon the basis of a citizens’ petition, or a resolution of the National Councilof the Slovak Republic pursuant to Article 95, paragraph 1, is in compliancewith the Constitution or a constitutional act.

(3) TheConstitutional Court decides on the petition pursuant to paragraph 2 within 60days from the day of its delivery; if the Constitutional Court by its decision state that the subject ofthe referendum to be called on the basis of a citizens’ petition, or aresolution of the National Council of the Slovak Republic pursuant to Article95, paragraph 1, is not in compliance with the Constitution or a constitutionalact, the referendum may not be called.

The motion to passa resolution of the National Council of the Slovak Republic on calling areferendum can be tabled by deputies of the National Council of the SlovakRepublic or by the Government of the Slovak Republic.

Upon receiving therequest for a referendum in the form of a popular petition or a parliamentaryresolution, the President can request the Constitutional Court to verifywhether the petition or resolution is “in compliance with the Constitution or aconstitutional law.” The referendum may not be called if the court rules that thereferendum request is unconstitutional.

For a referendum onthe dismissal of the President, a three-fifths majority in the National Councilis needed to initiate the process.