Slovakia votes on EU membership

Slovak leaders have been campaigning vigorously

Voting has begun in Slovakia in the referendum to decide whether the country should join the European Union next year.

Polls opened at 1400 local time (1200 GMT) and close 24 hours later.

Results are expected around 1100 GMT on Sunday.

However, the government fears turnout may not reach the 50% minimum required by law.

I'm not here to vote for myself, I'm here to vote for younger people, so they can have a better life than we did,

Vojtech Kurthy
pensioner

With more than 70% of Slovaks in favour of joining the EU, the referendum result should be a foregone conclusion, and it probably will - if enough people actually take part to make the result binding.

Deputy Prime Minister Pal Csaky admits the lack of debate has made it difficult to generate enthusiasm for the vote.

"That may be a small problem concerning referendum because there is ... not a competition of... different positions or points of view" he said.

'Opening doors'

The BBC's Alix Kroeger in Bratislava says there has been a steady stream of people going to vote in the centre of the city.

"I'm not here to vote for myself, I'm here to vote for younger people, so they can have a better life than we did," pensioner Vojtech Kurthy told Reuters news agency.

"I have voted 'yes' because this will open doors for Slovakia," said electronics company manager Ivan Ivanic.

If turnout looks like falling below 50%, the government will break the election silence, putting ministers on radio and TV to appeal to people to vote.

If the referendum is declared invalid, the government intends to pass enabling legislation to allow Slovakia to join the EU on schedule next year.

Vibrant economy

Slovakia, a landlocked country of 5.4 million people, was easily the poorer half of the former Czechoslovakia.

For the first five years of independence it was ruled by autocratic hardline nationalist Vladimir Meciar.

Concerns about its human rights record meant its application was delayed while neighbours like Poland and Hungary pressed ahead.

But since 1998 rapid political and economic reform has transformed it into one of the region's most vibrant economies.

Last year Slovakia registered growth of 4.4%, well above the EU average.

But there is 18% unemployment and wages are low.

The government is about to introduce controversial health and income tax reforms.