Opposition Democrats SDS obstructed the vote and said they would challenge the decree at the Constitutional Court. The SDS wants to hold the referendum on 25 May to coincide with the EU elections.

SDS member of parliament Eva Irgl said that holding the referendum on that day would lower its cost and would see the highest voter turnout.

41 MPs voted for and 10 against the decree, with 56 MPs present. The coalition meanwhile insisted that the EU election should not be overshadowed by the archives debate.