PRAGUE (Reuters) – The far-right SPD party, which may play a role in forming a new Czech government next month, would demand the cabinet propose legislation that could lead to a referendum on leaving the European Union, party chief Tomio Okamura said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis’s populist, pro-EU ANO is likely to win the largest share of the vote in a Oct. 8-9 election but may struggle to form a majority as its current partners are polling https://graphics.reuters.com/CZECH-ELECTION/lgpdwwyzqvo/index.html at or below the 5% threshold to enter parliament.

Babis is accused of conflicts of interests, as he founded a business empire. Two major opposition groups are refusing to form a government together with Babis.

This could make Okamura’s anti European and anti NATO SPD (or Freedom and Direct Democracy) a potential partner in the negotiations, something that ANO hasn’t ruled out. According to opinion polls, the support for the party is around 10%.

Okamura stated that he would pay 10% to make a promise to introduce a law allowing for referendums. This is currently impossible. This legislation would allow citizens to submit a petition asking for their vote. Okamura may help arrange one.

Okamura stated that one of the conditions for the government’s manifesto is to contain a referendum law, including the possibility to vote on EU membership or NATO. Okamura met President Milos Zeman after his meeting. His role was to facilitate post-election negotiations as well as appoint the prime minster.

For years, SPD has pushed for the EU’s exit and a referendum on it. A CVVM agency opinion poll in July found that 66% supported EU membership and 28% disagreed.

Okamura’s recent move could bring it back to the agenda despite significant obstacles.

Babis’ government opposes a general referendum law which would permit voting on matters such as EU membership. It has also advocated for high thresholds to call referendums.

To pass any legislation on referendums, a Constitutional Three-Fifth Majority in each house of parliament is required. It would not be possible to get this majority if legislation was divisive given that the Senate houses the pro EU opposition.

Over six years the Senate is elected using a staggered system that eliminates most extreme candidates.