Slovenian opposition challenges local election law at Constitutional Court

Opposition lawmakers from the Freedom Movement, Social Democrats (SD), and Levica have filed a request for a constitutional review of the Local Elections Act with the Constitutional Court of Slovenia. The challenge includes a proposal for a temporary suspension of the law.

The legal dispute centers on recent amendments passed by Parliament in mid-June, which revoke the right to vote in local elections for third-country nationals who hold permanent residence in Slovenia. This right had been in place since 2002.

Opposition MP Andreja Katič argued that the changes were implemented without sufficient analysis or justification, noting that these residents pay taxes, work, and raise families within their local communities. The opposition expressed concerns regarding the credibility of the electoral system, questioning the ability of a parliamentary majority to change fundamental voting rules shortly before elections.