Slovenia plans 'Super Referendum Day' on key political issues

Slovenians could be asked to vote on four politically charged issues on a single day in October, after the ruling coalition proposed holding three consultative referendums alongside a binding vote on changes to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act.

The coalition announced the move on 23 July, the same day that parliament set 11 October as referendum day for an unrelated motion, arguing that combining the votes would give citizens an opportunity to express their views on key policy questions early in the government's term, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Four votes in one day

The only binding referendum will decide whether to uphold recent amendments to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act, which opponents say weaken judicial safeguards against politically motivated parliamentary investigations.

The vote was triggered by civil society groups after they collected enough signatures. The government argues the changes merely prevent procedural delays from obstructing legitimate parliamentary oversight, while the centre-left opposition and civil society groups say they reduce constitutional protections and could enable political abuse.

Alongside it, the coalition has proposed three consultative referendums, whose results would not be legally binding but would serve as political guidance for future legislation.

Voters would be asked whether welfare payments for able-bodied recipients should be linked to community work, whether the compulsory licence fee funding public broadcaster RTV Slovenija should be abolished, and whether voting rights in municipal elections should be limited to Slovenian and other EU citizens.

Coalition seeks political mandate

The coalition says the referendums are intended to gauge public opinion on issues it considers central to its platform and has pledged to translate positive results into legislation.

Democratic Party (SDS) deputy Luka Simonič described the planned vote as a "super referendum day" that would serve as a political signpost at the start of the government's term and an overture to the local elections in November.

He also rejected suggestions that combining the ballots was primarily intended to boost turnout for the binding referendum.

The proposal on local voting rights comes despite parliament having already passed legislation disenfranchising third-country nationals. That law has not entered into force after non-governmental organisations launched a referendum initiative against it, suspending its implementation pending a possible vote.

Under Slovenian law, the outcome of a legislative referendum is binding, preventing parliament from adopting substantially similar legislation for one year if voters reject it. Consultative referendums, by contrast, are advisory and do not legally oblige lawmakers to act on the result.

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