Opposition Skeptical of Proclaimed Success of HZDS Petition

t for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS). The pro-government daily SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA claims that as of Tuesday almost 170,000 signatures have been collected in support of a referendum that would oblige Parliament to pass a constitutional law banning the privatization of strategic companies in the power and gas sectors. A referendum requires 350,000 signatures. „It is a lie. They do not have that many signatures, but they are misusing the state administration and industrial companies, such as VSZ [to collect signatures],“ said Dzurinda. To ensure objectivity, the SDK is calling on Prime Minister Meciar to invite opposition representatives to check the petition lists, as former President Michal Kovac did at the end of the petition for a referendum to hold direct presidential elections. At the same time, Dzurinda appealed to civil servants and workers in VSZ and other companies not to be misused by the petition organizers.