Constitution (2004)

REFERENDUMS HELD ON EUROPEAN MATTERS: 1

2003: EU - Accession (Yes 90 % - No 10 % - Turnout 60 %)

CONSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS - Constitution of Slovenia

Binding referendum provided if constitutional amendment effected. Otherwise mandatory and binding referendum provided if demanded from at least 30 members of parliament.

ARTICLES ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TREATIES, REFERENDUM AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Approval of international treaties without any transfer of sovereignty:
Majority of votes from parliament, Art. 86 ConstSlovenia.

Approval of transfer of sovereignty without effect of constitutional amendment:
Majority of 2/3 from members of parliament. Before ratification binding referendum on the transfer of sovereignty can be called by the parliament, Art. 3a ConstSlovenia.

Approval of transfer of sovereignty with effect of constitutional amendment:
Not expressly regulated but constitutional amendment required.

Approval of constitutional amendment:
Majority of 2/3 from members of parliament after proposal of 20 members of parliament, the government or at least 30.000 of the electorate confirmed by the parliament with majority of 2/3 of the votes, Art. 168, 169 ConstSlovenia. If demanded by at least 30 members of parliament the proposed amendment has to be approved by binding referendum in that more than 1/2 of the electorate participated with the majority of votes, from the majority of votes, Art. 170 ConstSlovenia.

Other constitutional regulations about referendums:
A binding referendum on laws can be called by the parliament. It is mandatory if demanded by 1/3 from the members of parliament, the council or 40.000 of the electorate, Art. 90 Const Slovenia. Laws can also be initiated by at least 5.000 of the electorate, Art. 88 ConstSlovenia.

RATING AND DEBATE

Decided

The government and the political parties had persistently underlined the belief that Slovenians had already expressed their views on the EU at the accession referendum and there was no other referendum needed. On the contrary, the government started to campaign against "the inflation" of referenda supported by an opinion poll showing that some 85% of the Slovenians thought that there were too many referenda held. In this sense, there have been no public appeals to hold a referendum, although the Slovenian legislation provides the celebration of referenda. On 1 February Slovenia became the third country to have ratified the European Constitution. Seventy-nine MPs in the 90-seat chamber voted in favour of the treaty, with only four rejecting it and seven abstaining.

More background information...

Eurobarometer (2006), The Future of Europe - Results for Slovenia, Special Eurobarometer 251, Fieldwork: 23/02 – 15/03 2006. (PDF)

Eurobarometer report, (February 2004): 86% rather agree, 5% rather disagree*

*Are you rather agree or rather disagree with the statement: The European Union must adopt a Constitution.

Eurobarometer report, (January 2005): 60% favourable, 9% opposed*

*Based on what you know, would you say that you are in favour of or opposed to the draft European Constitution?

Eurobarometer report, (July 2005): 76% favourable, 10% opposed*

*Based on the question, are you for or against a constitution for the European Union?

Latest News

02.02.2005 Slovenia's parliament says a loud yes to EU Constitution. EUobserver.com

31.01.2005 Slovenia to decide on EU Constitution. EUobserver.com

PROCEDURE

STATE OF THE PROCEDURE

vote in the national parliament

DATE OF REFERENDUM

01.02.2005

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND MATERIAL

The Federal Trust, EU Constitution Newsletter, January 2005, with country reports on Slovenia and Greece.