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17 clusters · 26 sources · 139 days · First seen 5 months ago · Last updated 3 days ago

Slovenia's referendum battles deepen

Overview

The signature collection campaign to trigger a referendum on the Intervention Act for the Development of Slovenia (ZIURS) has encountered technical and logistical challenges. While early reports suggested momentum with signatures surpassing 47,000, more recent data from the campaign—led by the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions and the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia—indicates approximately 28,000 signatures were collected over 20 days. This pace falls short of the 45,000 signatures originally projected for a ten-day period. To trigger the referendum, at least 40,000 verified signatures must be submitted by the October 5 deadline.

Technical disputes have surfaced regarding the eUprava digital portal. The Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration stated that technical issues hindering submissions were resolved as of September 3. State Secretary Božo Predalič noted that while the system experienced slowdowns for two days, it “did not crash,” though he acknowledged the necessity for future upgrades. However, labor unions report that problems with the portal have persisted during the collection process.

As of mid-September, trade unions and political groups, including Levica, have gathered over 30,000 signatures. Opponents argue the law threatens public services such as healthcare, education, and social security, and could lead to cuts in wages and pensions. Specifically, critics highlight the law’s aim to abolish a 1% contribution for long-term care from net pensions. Conversely, the NSi party has criticized the Levica party, suggesting the referendum could prevent financial reliefs for pensioners. If the signature threshold is met, a referendum vote may occur in late November.

Entities

Constitutional Court of Slovenia · Slovenia · National Assembly of Slovenia · Janez Janša · Branimir Štrukelj

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Constitutional Court overturned the National Assembly's decision that a referendum on the intervention law was inadmissible.
[● 2 SOURCES] The referendum requires collecting at least 40,000 signatures starting 1 September, with a deadline of 5 October.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The law proposes a reduced VAT rate of 9.5% for electricity, gas, district heating and firewood, and a 5% VAT rate for certain foods.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The law is estimated to cause a budget deficit of about €571 million, including €550 million loss in pension contributions and €70 million in long‑term care contributions.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The law would introduce a social cap on contributions, costing the health insurance fund about €96 million per year and the pension fund over €640 million per year.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The proposal would consolidate various state investments into a new fund to finance pensions, long‑term care and family policy.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Trade unions, led by Branimir Štrukelj, oppose the law, calling it a law for the rich and saying it will not lower food prices.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The law was passed by the National Assembly in May with support from NSi, SLS, Focus, Democrats, Resnica and SDS.

Timeline

3 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Slovenia development law faces referendum
Slovenia's Law on Intervention Measures for Development, which lowers taxes on food and energy, faces a referendum following opposition from political parties and labor unions.
8 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Slovenia referendum signature collection faces technical issues
Slovenian unions and political groups have gathered over 30,000 signatures for a referendum against the Intervention Law, despite reported technical issues with the e-Uprava signature portal.
21 days ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Slovenian unions seek referendum on ZIURS development measures
Slovenian unions are seeking a referendum on the ZIURS legislative package, sparking debate over tax reforms and a proposed development cap on high salaries.
23 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Slovenian unions launch signature drive for referendum
Slovenian trade unions are collecting 40,000 signatures for a referendum against the law on intervention measures, citing concerns over social welfare and income inequality.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Slovenia faces referendum on development law and parliamentary leadership dispute
Slovenia faces political tension as the Constitutional Court allows a referendum on the ZIURS development law, while opposition parties seek the dismissal of National Assembly Speaker Zoran Stevanović.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Zoran Stevanović supports referendum on intervention law
Slovenian Parliament President Zoran Stevanović supports a referendum on an intervention law aimed at lowering food and energy costs while increasing wages and pensions.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 7 sources
Slovenia's constitutional court clears path for intervention law referendum
Slovenia's Constitutional Court overturned a parliamentary block, permitting a referendum on an intervention law; unions and opposition praised the move, while Prime Minister Janez Janša criticised the court.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
Slovenian intervention law faces referendum after court overturns ban
Slovenia's Constitutional Court cleared a referendum on an intervention law that cuts VAT, adds a social cap, and may cause a €571 million deficit; unions oppose it as a law for the rich.
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 10 sources
Slovenian Constitutional Court to Hear Union Challenge to Intervention Law Referendum
Slovenia’s Constitutional Court will examine a union request to overturn the ban on a referendum over the Intervention Law, which was passed without social dialogue and faces criticism for its tax and labour‑re
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Slovenia prepares referendum on parliamentary investigation law amendment
Over 44,600 signatures were filed for a Slovenian referendum to block a law amendment that would curb constitutional review of parliamentary investigations, framed as a fight for democracy against authoritarian
3 months ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Slovenia to Hold Autumn Referendum on Parliamentary Inquiry Law
Slovenian citizens collected 42,004 signatures, triggering an autumn referendum on a law amendment that would strip court oversight from parliamentary inquiry commissions and expand state access to private data
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Slovenian business groups urge swift ruling on intervention law referendum
Slovenian business coalition urges the Constitutional Court to quickly decide on the admissibility of a referendum over the Intervention Law, warning that delays hurt investment and competitiveness.
3 months ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Slovenian unions seek constitutional court review of referendum ban on intervention law
Slovenian unions have asked the constitutional court to overturn a parliamentary ban on a referendum about the intervention law, arguing it infringes democratic rights.
4 months ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Slovenia sees two referendum signature drives
Slovenian unions start a national referendum drive on a development law, while Ljubljana citizens collect signatures to overturn a parking ordinance requiring 11.5 k signatures.
4 months ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Slovenia sees 47,000 signatures for referendum on contested development law amid EU‑funded activist scrutiny
Slovenian unions gathered 47,000 signatures for a referendum on a disputed development law as an EU‑funded activist faces intimidation allegations.
4 months ago

[POLITICS] 7 sources
Slovenia's Intervention Law Draws Public Opposition and Union Criticism
Poll shows 43% of Slovenians oppose the intervention law, deemed a ‘law for the rich’; unions decry it, business backs it.
5 months ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Slovenian lawmaker Luke Mesec calls for referendum on costly intervention bill
Luke Mesec urges a referendum against Slovenia's €1 bn intervention law, citing lack of dialogue and harmful pension reforms.

Sources

24ur.com · celjskiglasnik.si · data.si · delo.si · demokracija.si · dnevno.hr · gorenjskiglas.si · goriskenovice.si · hrvati.orf.at · info.delo.si · ljnovice.si · maribor24.si · megafon.si · mladina.si · n1info.si · nova24tv.si · obalaplus.si · politikis.si · portal-os.si · primorske.si · radio.ognjisce.si · sindikat-pergam.si · siol.net · slovenskenovice.si · times.si · zsss.si

This summary has been updated 8 times: see revision history