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| National Council (Slovenia) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Council |
| Native name | Državni svet |
| Legislature | 8th National Council |
| House type | Upper house (non-symmetric) |
| Foundation | 1992 |
| Preceded by | National Assembly (1990) |
| Leader type | President |
| Leader | Alojz Kovšca |
| Party | Nonpartisan |
| Election1 | 2017 |
| Members | 40 |
| Meeting place | Ljubljana |
| Website | Official site |
National Council (Slovenia) The National Council is the consultative and representative chamber of the Slovenian legislative system established by the 1991 Constitution and operational since the 1992 Elections Law. It functions as a second chamber complementary to the National Assembly and interfaces with institutions such as the President of Slovenia, the Government of Slovenia, the Constitutional Court of Slovenia, and municipal bodies like the City Municipality of Ljubljana. The chamber is distinct from other European upper houses such as the Bundesrat of Germany, the Senate of France, and the House of Lords of the United Kingdom.
The origins trace to Slovenia's transition from the Socialist Republic of Slovenia within Yugoslavia to an independent Republic of Slovenia after the Ten-Day War and the Declaration of Independence (Slovenia). The 1991 Constitution of Slovenia created a bicameral-like system by establishing a National Council as a consultative assembly, influenced by models including the Austrian Federal Council, the German Bundesrat, and consultative chambers like the Italian Senate prior to reforms. The 1992 Elections Act and subsequent legislation defined its composition, while constitutional debates during the 1990s involved actors such as the Slovenian Democratic Union, Social Democrats (Slovenia), and Slovenian People's Party. Landmark constitutional cases before the Constitutional Court of Slovenia clarified its powers relative to the National Assembly (Slovenia), the President of Slovenia, and ministries formed by successive cabinets led by politicians like Janez Drnovšek and Janez Janša.
The National Council's legal status stems from the Constitution of Slovenia and statutes like the National Council Act. It holds consultative powers to propose laws to the National Assembly, request legislative review by the Constitutional Court of Slovenia, and initiate referendums under the Referendum and Popular Initiative Act. It can propose suspensive vetoes on laws passed by the National Assembly and submit opinions affecting legislation concerning local self-government bodies such as Municipality of Maribor,Municipality of Koper, and municipal associations. Its competencies have been tested in disputes involving the Court of Auditors (Slovenia), the Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia, and proposals affecting public companies like Petrol d.d. and banking matters involving NLB d.d..
The body comprises 40 members representing four socio-economic interests: employers, employees, local interests, and non-commercial activities including academia and culture. Seats are allocated through electoral colleges of bodies such as chambers like the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, trade union confederations like the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia, municipal councils in entities such as City Municipality of Kranj and City Municipality of Celje, and professional associations including the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Slovenian Writers' Association. Members are elected by indirect election from councils, chambers, and representative organizations for five-year terms, contrasting with direct elections used in bodies like the European Parliament or national direct elections for the National Assembly (Slovenia).
Procedurally it meets in plenary sessions, forms committees similar to advisory committees in institutions like the United Nations General Assembly and the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, and adopts opinions, initiatives, and motions. It may challenge laws via a proposal for an abstract or concrete review to the Constitutional Court of Slovenia or request a popular referendum, invoking mechanisms akin to instruments in the Swiss Federal Assembly or Czech Senate. The National Council's president and vice-presidents manage agenda items, liaise with the National Assembly leadership, and convene extraordinary sessions in response to events involving ministries such as the Ministry of Finance (Slovenia) or agencies like the Slovenian Tax Administration.
The relationship is characterized by consultative interaction and institutional checks: the National Council can issue suspensive vetoes that the National Assembly can override, and it provides opinions on nominations to bodies including the Bank of Slovenia governor and members of the Judicial Council of Slovenia. The council engages with cabinets headed by prime ministers such as Andrej Bajuk and Alenka Bratušek, and interfaces with the President of the Republic of Slovenia on appointments and referenda. Political actors in the National Assembly (Slovenia), party groups like Modern Centre Party and New Slovenia often respond to its initiatives, and constitutional adjudication by the Constitutional Court of Slovenia defines the boundary of competencies.
Scholars, parties, and media outlets like Delo (newspaper), Dnevnik (newspaper), and commentators associated with RTV Slovenia have criticized the council for limited legislative impact, indirect election, and potential redundancy relative to the National Assembly (Slovenia). Debates involved proposals for abolition or reform raised by parties such as Slovenian Democratic Party and List of Marjan Šarec, and controversies arose over appointments and conflicts with institutions like the Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia or parliamentary inquiries into privatizations involving firms including Telekom Slovenije and Holdina d.d.. Constitutional complaints and rulings by the Constitutional Court of Slovenia have addressed disputes about its veto power and competencies.
Notable presidents and members have included figures from Slovenian public life drawn from unions, business, and academia. Prominent officeholders such as former presidents of the council, and members who later held roles in the National Assembly (Slovenia), cabinets under leaders like Miro Cerar and Borut Pahor, or posts in institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights and the European Commission are among its alumni. Individuals associated with the council have links to organizations including the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Slovenian Association of Journalists and Commentators, and the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.