Parliament Agrees With The Voice Of The Round, Slovenia Officially Admits To The State Of Palestine

Illustration of the State of Palestine. (Source: UN Photo/Manuel Elvis)

JAKARTA - Slovenia has officially become the latest EU member state to recognize the Palestinian State, after the country's parliament agreed to unanimous recognition, rejecting calls for a referendum by the largest opposition party, following government recognition last week.

Voting was held on Tuesday local time. The parliamentary group for foreign affairs on Monday supported the government's decision with a majority vote.

"Today's Palestinian recognition as a sovereign and independent country gives hope to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza," Prime Minister Robert Golob said on social media X.

The decision was approved by 52 votes, and nothing was against it after the far-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) left the court.

The opposition party from former prime minister Janez Jansa then submitted a proposal regarding a consulatory referendum on the offer of recognition, which would delay voting for at least a month.

SDS, the largest opposition party, argues it is not the right time to recognize an independent Palestinian state, saying the move will only benefit the "Hamas terrorist organization".

After the ruling coalition, which holds a majority in the 90-member Slovenian parliament, tried to find a way out of referendum demands and continued the vote, SDS withdrew their proposal but filed again hours later.

The parliamentary committee for foreign affairs stated that the proposal was inadequate and rejected it in an extraordinary hearing.

Last week, the Slovenian Government on Thursday approved a decision to recognize an independent Palestinian state, follow Spain, Ireland and Norway, and draw strong criticism from Israel.

"Today the government has decided to recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign country," Prime Minister Robert Golob said at a press conference in Ljubljana.

PM Golob also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

"This is a message of peace," he said.

The government of Slovenia raised the Palestinian flag next to the flag of Slovenia and the European Union in front of its building in downtown Ljubljana.

Of the 27 members of the EU, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria have recognized the Palestinian state. Malta said the country would soon follow.