Middle-East

Slovenia becomes latest EU country to recognise Palestinian state

A man puts up the flag of Palestine as members of parliament applaud after the Slovenian parliament approved the recognition of an independent Palestinian state, in Lubljana, Slovenia June 4, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic)

By Reuters | Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Of the 27 members of the EU, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognised a Palestinian state. Malta has said it could follow soon.

Slovenia became the latest European Union country to recognise an independent Palestinian state after its parliament approved the move with a majority vote on Tuesday, dismissing a call for a referendum on the issue by the largest opposition party.

The government last week decided to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state following in the steps of Spain, Ireland and Norway as part of a wider effort to coordinate pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.

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"Today's recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state sends hope to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and in Gaza," Prime Minister Robert Golob said on X.

The vote was scheduled for Tuesday and a parliamentary group for foreign affairs on Monday endorsed the government decision with a majority vote.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob speaks as the parliament debates about the recognition of Palestine as an independent state, in Lubljana, Slovenia June 4, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic)

The right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) of former premier Janez Jansa, however, then submitted a proposal for a consultative referendum on the recognition bid, which would have delayed the vote for at least a month.

After the ruling coalition, which holds a majority in Slovenia’s 90-member parliament, tried to find a way around the referendum demand and proceed with the vote, the SDS withdrew their proposal but submitted it again hours later.

The Parliament Committee for Foreign Affairs declared it inadequate and dismissed it at an extraordinary session.

The decision was approved with 52 votes, and nobody was against it after the opposition SDS party had left the session.

Of the 27 members of the EU, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognised a Palestinian state. Malta has said it could follow soon.

Gaza health authorities say more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war over the past seven months.