Slovenia
Political Environment
The Slovenian legislature first declared the sovereignty of the Republic on 2 July 1990 and resolved that Slovenian laws should take precedence over federal - Yugoslav - laws. The present Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia was adopted on 23 December 1991, following the results of the plebiscite on the independence of Slovenia on 23 December 1990, when Slovenians overwhelmingly voted for an independent Slovenia.
Under the provisions of the Constitution, Slovenia is a democratic republic and a social state governed by law. The state's authority is based on the principle of the division of power into legislative, executive and judicial branches, with a parliamentary system of government.
Power is held by the people and they exercise this power directly through elections, referendums and popular initiatives. Slovenia's Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government. The highest legislative authority is the National Assembly (Drzavni zbor) consisting of 90 deputies elected for a term of four years by secret ballot, on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
Italian and Hungarian ethnic minorities are guaranteed two seats in the National Assembly. The National Council (Drzavni svet), which is elected for a five- year term, performs an advisory role. Council members (40) represent regions and interest groups.
The head of state, the President of the Republic (elected for a maximum two five-year terms by direct elections), is also the supreme commander of the armed forces. The President of the Republic is elected for a maximum two consecutive five-year terms in direct, free and secret elections by an absolute majority of votes. Executive power is vested in the prime minister and the cabinet. The government must be approved by the National Assembly.
A) Governing party
LDS (Liberal Democracy in Slovenia) is the most popular and powerful party in Slovenia. It won 34 of 90 seats in the National Assembly at the last Parliamentary elections, held on 15 October 2000.
LDS candidate for President (two mandates Slovenian Prime Minister) Janez Drnovsek became chief of state after winning in the 1 December 2002 runoff elections. Drnovsek's opponent, Barbara Brezigar, mounted a strong challenge by winning 43.49 percent of the votes.
The 2000 agreement creating the current coalition (LDS, Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), United List of Social Democrats (ZLSD) and Slovene People's Party (SLS) reserved the post of prime minister for the LDS in the event of Drnovsek's resignation. LDS nominated Anton Rop, Slovenia's previous minister of finance, to replace Drnovsek as Prime Minister. Rop easily secured the necessary 46 votes in the National Assembly to win the position. Thanks to the support of the coalition partners he was elected Prime Minister in December 2002 with 63 votes in favour. The cabinet is made up of eight LDS ministers and three ministers from the ZLSD and SLS. DeSUS has no minister in the government, but was given the post of the Deputy Parliamentary Speaker.
B) Opposition Parties
Main opposition parties are Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDS) with 14 seats in the Parliament and "New Slovenia" - Christian People's Party (NSi) with 8.
Politics
For many, Drnovsek's victory came as recognition of his success in steering Slovenia toward EU and NATO membership over the past decade.
Slovenes overwhelmingly supported joining the European Union and NATO in twin referendums held on 23 March 2003, ending months of uncertainty and delivering an unexpectedly strong victory to the country’s political elite.
89.6 percent voted in favour of joining the EU and 66 percent in favour of NATO. Both results surprised pollsters, who were anticipating more modest levels of support. Turnout was 60.3 percent.