Slovakia anti-gay rights referendum falls flat

Slovakia's national statistic's bureau in Bratislava announced early Sunday that the minimum quorum of 50 percent had been missed by almost 29 percent.

The country's conservatives had hoped that Saturday's referendum would have strengthened Slovakia's current ban on gay marriage, civil unions and adoption by same-sex couples.

Ahead of Saturday's vote, liberals gay rights activists and various media outlets had called on the nation's electorate to boycott the referendum - a simple tactic which proved to be a success.

"The result shows that a campaign full of prejudice … failed to mobilize people, which is very good news for Slovakia," activist Lucia Plavakova told Reuters news agency.

Threat to 'tradition'

Some 95 percent of those who did vote, however, backed a 2014 constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union of husband and wife.

The Alliance for Family (AZR), which spearheaded the vote, launched the referendum to cement last year's constitutional ban, arguing that the "European Parliament and some EU members have passed laws that undermine the unique nature of marriage, families and children's rights."

Ahead of Saturday's referendum, AZR spokesman Anton Chromik said: "We'll continue our struggle to protect the family."

More than 80 percent of Slovakia's 5.4 million population are Christians - most of whom belong to the Catholic Church which staunchly supported the referendum.

The final results of the referendum were expected later on Sunday.

ksb/cmk (Reuters, AFP)