Slovenia postpones decision to recognize Palestine after opposition requests referendum

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Slovenia’s main opposition party filed a motion Monday requesting a referendum on a decision to recognize an independent Palestinian state, possibly delaying a vote in parliament on the matter.

The government endorsed a motion to recognize Palestine last week and parliament was scheduled to approve it on Tuesday, but the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) filed the motion ahead of the decision.

SDS leader Janez Jansa claimed that the recognition bid could harm the country in the long run and announced that they requested a referendum.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon described the move as insincere and said that those who want to defend peace should also defend the two-state solution.

The ruling coalition, which has a majority in parliament, is expected to reject the referendum proposal.

The Slovenian government evaluated the recognition of the State of Palestine at a session held last week.

Prime Minister Robert Golob told the media that they decided to recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the 1967 borders in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Golob also said they would forward the decision to parliament and ask for support from lawmakers.

Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to officially recognize Palestine on May 28.