Slovenian cultural groups withdraw referendum initiative on voting rights

Several cultural organizations have announced the withdrawal of an initiative for a legislative referendum regarding amendments to the Local Elections Act. The proposed law would revoke the voting rights of third-country nationals residing in Slovenia, a right that has existed for 24 years.

Organizations including Kulturno društvo Gmajna, the Danilo Kiš Cultural Center, and AKD Liria are expected to withdraw the initiative early this week, just before the scheduled start of signature collection on September 1. The initiative required 40,000 signatures by October 5.

The withdrawal is intended to allow opposition parties—specifically Gibanje Svoboda, SD, and Levica—to seek a constitutional review and a temporary suspension of the law. Because the active referendum initiative has prevented the law from being published in the official gazette, the opposition has not yet been able to petition the Constitutional Court. Once the law is published, at least 30 MPs can submit a request for a review of its constitutionality.