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Slovenian Voters Reject Bill to Expand Parliamentary Inquiry Powers
By Drooid · · How we work
Referendum Defeats Expansion of Parliamentary Inquiry Powers
In a binding national referendum, Slovenians voted against a government proposal to broaden the authority of parliamentary inquiry commissions. The measure would have required individuals summoned to testify to appear immediately and barred them from challenging the summons in court until the commission completed its work. The defeat represents a setback for Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose nationalist government had promoted the reform as part of a broader agenda to streamline the public sector.
Background and Political Context
Prime Minister Jansa, an admirer of U.S. He came to power after liberal former prime minister Robert Golob failed to form a government despite his party’s narrow parliamentary win in March. Opposition leaders, including Golob, have characterized Jansa’s reform drive as “authoritarian,” warning that the proposed law could create a “political police” by compelling witnesses to disclose sensitive information without judicial oversight.
Vote Results and Statistics
Official Reactions
Prime Minister Jansa’s office framed the referendum outcome as a democratic decision, emphasizing respect for the electorate’s choice. Analysts noted that the high turnout underscored strong public engagement on constitutional reforms.
Implications for Slovenian Democracy
The rejection curtails the government’s ability to enforce immediate testimony without judicial review, preserving existing legal safeguards for witnesses. It also signals continued public scrutiny of Jansa’s reform agenda and may constrain future attempts to limit the operational independence of rights groups and public-sector institutions. The outcome reinforces the role of referenda as a check on executive initiatives in Slovenia’s parliamentary system.