In 2004, Slovakia continued in the set trend of general democratic stabilization and implementation of vital socio economic reforms. The accession to the EU and NATO concluded an important stage of the countrys internal transformation, which was connected especially to the integration process into Euro Atlantic economic, political and security structures. The system of Slovakias democratic institutions worked virtually flawlessly throughout 2004. At the beginning of 2004, the government lost a formal majority in parliament due to internal conflicts in some ruling coalition parties, so far, though, this fact has not substantially affected the cabinets ability to put through necessary reforms. The pursued reforms that require adoption of unpopular socioeconomic measures have antagonized certain segments of the population. Opposition parties tried to capitalize on this fact and in cooperation with trade unions they initiated a petition drive that eventually led to a referendum on early parliamentary elections, however, the plebiscite held in April 2004 was proclaimed null and void on grounds of insufficient voter participation. In April 2004, Slovaks elected Ivan Gašparovič their new president. Although Gašparovič is generally considered a representative of opposition parties with critical views of the incumbent administrations reform policies, the government and the new president have managed to maintain generally correct relations. With a help from independent deputies in parliament, the ruling coalition did not have much problems overcoming the veto Gašparovič used at times to complicate adoption of certain reform laws.