Paragraph 33

 

Indeed, it must be emphasised that the most stringent rules on majority apply to self-determination referendums. In Lithuania a constitutional amendment affecting the position of the State as an independent democratic republic must be approved by 75% of the electorate (Article 148.1 of the Constitution); “the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” requires approval of a majority of the electoral body for the association or dissolution of a union or community with other states (Constitution, Article 120.3) and Slovakia (art. 93.1 and 97.1 of the Constitution) requires union or secession to be approved equally by an absolute majority of the registered voters.  The 1990 Soviet secession law allowed secession only when accepted by 66% of eligible voters in the Republic, but was not applied.