A referendum on NATO membership - seriously?

(photo: Vlada RS/Daniel Novakovič/STA)

Do we still have responsible parties in parliament?

Last week, Levica tabled a referendum on planned NATO defense spending, which, to everyone’s surprise, was supported by SDS, SD and NSi and ended in Prime Minister Golob announcing a consultative referendum on Slovenia’s NATO membership itself (!)

Volt Slovenija wants to remind readers that faced with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and threat to peace and stability, both Finland in 2023 and Sweden in 2024 abandoned their longstanding position of neutrality to join NATO. Even Denmark is moving closer to the European Union for similar reasons, as all member states are aware that we can no longer freeride on the protection of the United States and need to take matters and expenses into our own hands - whether we like it or not.

Volt Slovenija was therefore very surprised by parties in parliament questioning NATO contributions and even membership in NATO itself - as if we had the resources or economies of scale for a credible deterrent against any aggressor. We also want to underline that a conventional war may be fought at Europe’s doorstep in Ukraine, but a hybrid conflict has long arrived in Europe, whether fought through cyberattacks or social media campaigns. 

Ensuring Slovenia’s security for the future

Volt Slovenija would have rather seen our government working with our European allies in NATO, first and foremost by calling out NATO chief Mark Rutte for entering into commitments without prior consultations and then by finding workable solutions.

Internally, Volt Slovenija has done just this and contributed to the 3-point plan of Volt Europa for a European Nato. We’re calling not only for transitioning to European supreme commander of NATO, but also a joint nuclear deterrent, integration of our armed forces from procurement to a robust command chain and EU procurement of all expenses above the current NATO obligation of 2% - which Slovenia with 1.2% of GDP (as of 2023) has still not reached. 

Considering Slovenia’s budget is about 42% of GDP (2025 projection), reaching the initial target of 3.5% would mean spending about 2.5 B€ on military equipment per year - instead of the projected 850 M€. It is clear from looking at the budget that there is little room for this type of spending increase. Calling a referendum on it is rather cheap when Slovenia could for example request Germany to give up its resistance to Eurobonds or at least support the introduction of a new joint debt vehicle similar to the Covid Recovery and Resilience Plan to shoulder these expenses without having to cut social security, education or pensions.

Borja Ranzinger, founding member of Volt Slovenija: “We have the feeling, our government didn’t even try to find a solution that would prevent overburdening our national budget and households. Instead we will likely end up with yet another meaningless referendum and cuts to social welfare to purchase US military equipment. This is regrettable. Volt Slovenija would demand Eurobonds in return for increasing military spending to 5%. Without such possibilities, we see any amount above 2% only being justifiable and feasible through integration of our defense forces with our European partners, as we suggest in our programme.”

Abusing referendums for electoral means

Volt Slovenija also believes we need to re-evaluate the purpose of referendums. Allowing citizens to participate in democratic processes is an exemplary practice that works well in other countries such as Switzerland. Not so much in Slovenia it seems.

Matic Bitenc, founding member of Volt Slovenija: “If consultative referendums are abused for electoral gains or to undermine the parliamentary process, we should consider higher entry barriers than a simple vote in Parliament. Whether it’s the opposition calling the recent referendum on top-up cultural pensions or the government not following up on the June 2024 referendum on cannabis, assisted dying and open electoral lists, our political parties give a poor example of treating citizens and their democratic choices.”

One of Volt Slovenija’s principal objectives and reasons for working to register as a political party ahead of next year’s elections is also to provide a political voice for more trust and transparency. As part of Volt Europa with close to 35 000 members across Europe, Volt not only defends the idea of working across borders, for example by pushing together for a future EU NATO and solution on defense spending, but also to hold each other accountable for doing politics “the right way”.

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