The first country in Europe where a referendum on leaving NATO is proposed. The President of the Parliament: “I promised the people”
Slovenia's new parliament speaker, Zoran Stevanović, has said he plans to hold a referendum on leaving NATO, while signaling openness to a visit to Moscow and a more independent foreign policy.
NATO and EU flags PHOTO: Shuttwerstock
The new speaker of the Slovenian Parliament, Zoran Stevanović, has said he plans to hold a referendum on the country's possible withdrawal from NATO.
“I have to say that I promised the people a referendum on leaving NATO and that we will organize this referendum”, he said, according to the Kyiv Post.
Push for “independent politics”
Stevanović, the leader of the Truth Party, said Slovenia should pursue a more independent and sovereign foreign policy.
“Ljubljana must once again become the decision-making center of Slovenia, not Brussels”he said, referring to the institutions of the European Union.
At the same time, he acknowledged that leaving the EU is unlikely to win public support, noting that Slovenia benefits significantly from membership.
Broader policy change
Stevanović also said his party intends to keep its campaign promises, including advocating for Slovenia's withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
He added that the country should avoid involvement in external military and diplomatic conflicts, arguing that such engagements do not serve Slovenia's interests.
He signals a possible visit to Moscow
Speaking about his first trips abroad as president of the House of Representatives, Stevanović said that visits to Skopje and Copenhagen are already planned, but added that he also plans to visit Moscow in the near future.
“I would like to build bridges and cooperate well with all countries, regardless of the wall that has been built between West and East,” he said.
The statement comes amid renewed criticism of NATO by President Donald Trump, who has suggested the United States may withdraw from the alliance.
Trump recently described NATO as a “paper tiger” and said US membership was “beyond reconsideration” following disagreements with allies over the war with Iran and efforts to secure shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said Washington could “reexamine” its relationship with NATO, citing disputes over task-sharing and access to military bases.
