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President of Slovenia

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President of the Republic of Slovenia
Predsednik Republike Slovenije
Flag of the President
since 23 December 2022
Office of the President of the Republic
StyleMadam President
(Slovene: Gospa predsednica) (informal)
Her Excellency
(Slovene: Njena ekscelenca) (diplomatic)
TypeHead of state
Member ofNational Security Council (upon invitation of the Prime Minister)
Reports toNational Assembly
ResidenceNone
Seat
AppointerPopular vote
Term lengthFive years, renewable once
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Slovenia
Inaugural holderMilan Kučan
Formation10 May 1990; 34 years ago (1990-05-10) (de facto)
23 December 1991; 32 years ago (1991-12-23) (de jure)
DeputySpeaker of the National Assembly (as acting president)
Salary5,419 monthly[1]
WebsiteOfficial website

The president of Slovenia, officially the president of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: Predsednik Republike Slovenije), is the head of state of the Republic of Slovenia. The office was established on 23 December 1991 when the National Assembly passed a new constitution after the separation of Slovenia from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Five individuals have occupied the post of president of the Republic since Slovenia achieved its independence. The incumbent is Nataša Pirc Musar, Slovenia's first female president. The president's official workplace is the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana.

Election and term of office

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The president is directly elected by universal adult suffrage for a term of five years.[2] Any Slovenian citizen of legal age (18 or more) may run for President, but may only hold office for two terms.[2]

The president has no legally guaranteed immunity and may be impeached during their time in office.

Duties and functions

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The president of the Republic is the highest representative of the Slovenian state, belonging neither to the legislative, executive, judicial, nor constitutive branches of state power. The president instead occupies a completely separate but coequal moderating branch by virtue of Article 102 of the Constitution.[3] To this end, the president represents Slovenia abroad, fosters national unity at home, and exercises supreme command and control over the Armed Forces of Slovenia as commander-in-chief. In the performance of these functions, the president upholds the rule of law and, through their ongoing mediation and arbitration, guarantees the continuity and orderly operation of Slovenia’s democratic institutions.[4] This stabilising and integrative role is in keeping with the president’s solemn oath taken at inauguration to “...uphold the constitutional order,…act according to my conscience and…do all in my power for the good of Slovenia”.[5]

The Constitution of Slovenia provides for a parliamentary system of government, whereby the presidency is a predominantly ceremonial institution with limited political power.[6] Indeed, unlike in most parliamentary republics, the president is not even the ‘’nominal’’ chief executive. Rather, the executive authority of Slovenia is implicitly vested in the Government with the prime minister as its head.[7] The Government is nevertheless obliged by the terms of its own standing orders to keep the president fully informed on matters of state, be they foreign or domestic.[8] Moreover, the functions conferred on the president by the Constitution and subordinate statute law require neither the countersignature of the prime minister nor the advice of the Government to be effective.[9][10][a] Thus, the powers and duties at the president’s disposal are generally exercised either in his or her complete discretion or, in the case of ministerial functions, in accordance with constitutional restrictions.[11]

According to the constitution, the president is the highest representative of the state. In practice, the position is mostly ceremonial. The president can appoint high ranking officials such as the head of the Central Bank of Slovenia, but they have to be confirmed by the parliament.[6] Among other things, the president is also the commander-in-chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Ministerial functions

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Convene regular sessions of the National Assembly
The president of the Republic calls elections to the National Assembly, provided a new National Assembly must be convened no sooner than two months and no later than fifteen days before the expiry of four years from the date of the first session of the previous National Assembly. If the president dissolves the National Assembly and calls for snap elections, a new National Assembly must be elected no later than two months after the dissolution of the previous one. The term of the old National Assembly otherwise comes to an end by default upon the first session of a new National Assembly, which is convoked by the president no later than twenty days after a general election.[12]
Promulgate laws
The president of the Republic promulgates each law passed by the National Assembly within eight days of its enactment, unless the law is sooner vetoed by the National Council. The president does not have the right to refuse laws duly passed by the National Assembly and agreed to by the National Council.[13]
Issue instruments of ratification
The president of the Republic issues instruments of ratification, whereby Slovenia expresses its consent to be bound by a treaty under international law.[14] Despite this authority, the president's ability to refuse a treaty is limited. Treaty negotiation and conclusion is the responsibility of the Government, whereas ratification itself rests exclusively with the National Assembly.[15][16] Nevertheless, before issuing an instrument of ratification, the president may request the Constitutional Court to opine on its constitutionality. If the Constitutional Court concludes the treaty violates the Constitution, the treaty is deemed null and void. If the Constitutional Court finds the treaty is however in compliance with the Constitution, the president must issue an instrument of ratification.[17]

Discretionary powers

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Nominate the prime minister
The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly a candidate for prime minister, after consultation with the leaders of the various political parties represented in the National Assembly. The National Assembly in turn elects or rejects the president’s nominee. If the National Assembly fails to elect a prime minister on the first round, the president may nominate one or more additional candidates for the consideration of the National Assembly in subsequent rounds, including a previously nominated candidate. This process continues until a prime minister is duly elected or the National Assembly is dissolved.[18]
Dissolve the National Assembly and call snap elections
The president has plenary authority to dissolve the National Assembly before the expiration of its term and call snap elections, but only if either of the following conditions are met:
  1. The National Assembly fails to elect a prime minister within 30 days from the start of a new parliamentary session;[19] or
  2. The National Assembly passes a vote of no confidence in the Government and fails to elect a new prime minister within 30 days.[20]
Convene extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly
The president of the Republic may convene an extraordinary session of the National Assembly.[21] The calling together of an extraordinary session of the National Assembly concurrently reconvenes the National Council, the upper house of Slovenia’s incompletely bicameral Parliament.[22][23]
Express opinions to the National Assembly
The president of the Republic may, on their own initiative or whenever requested by the National Assembly, express an opinion on any matter of national import.[24]
Represent Slovenia in foreign relations
The president of the Republic appoints and recalls Slovenian ambassadors and envoys, accepts the credentials of foreign diplomats accredited to Slovenia, receives foreign heads of state visiting Slovenia, and pays state visits abroad.[25] In the performance of these duties, the president by convention consults the Government in order to ensure a coordinated and effective foreign policy. The president is nevertheless not obliged to follow any of the Government’s recommendations and make act contrary to such recommendations.
Issue decrees in times of national crisis
The president of the Republic may, at the request of the Government, issue decrees with the force of law. Said decrees may, in exception, restrict individual human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Article 16 of the Constitution. The president’s authority to make such decrees is only valid when the National Assembly is unable to convene and a state of war or emergency has been invoked. The president may accept or refuse the Government’s request.[26] By virtue of Article 33 of the National Assembly Act, the speaker of the National Assembly is required to inform the president whenever it is unable to convene.[27]
Nominate justices of the Constitutional Court
The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly the nine justices of the Constitutional Court, who each serve staggered nonrenewable terms of nine years. The National Assembly in turn confirms or rejects the candidates so nominated.[28][29][30]
Nominate members of the Judicial Council
The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly five out of the eleven members of the Judicial Council.[31][b] Nominees must be university professors of law, senior counsel, or attorneys accepted to the State Bar. The National Assembly in turn confirms or rejects the candidates so nominated.[34] Members of the Judicial Council serve staggered terms of six years upon confirmation, with either two or three of the presidentially nominated members subject to appointment every three years.[35]
Nominate and appoint certain other state officials
The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly the governor of the Central Bank of Slovenia, the judges of the Court of Audit, the Human Rights Ombudsman, and the Slovenian judge on the European Court of Human Rights. The National Assembly in turn confirms or rejects the candidates so nominated. If confirmed, the nominees are formally appointed to office by the president.[36]

List of presidents of Slovenia

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Parties;   KPS / ZKS   OF   SDP

No. Name
(Birth–Death)
Portrait Term of office Political party
Presidents of the People's Assembly
1953–1974
1 Ferdo Kozak
(1894–1957)
30 January 1953 15 December 1953 OF
2 Miha Marinko
(1900–1983)
15 December 1953 9 June 1962 ZKS
3 Vida Tomšič
(1913–1998)
9 June 1962 25 June 1963 ZKS
5 Ivan Maček
(1908–1993)
25 June 1963 9 May 1967 ZKS
6 Sergej Kraigher
(1914–2001)
9 May 1967 1973 ZKS
7 Tone Kropušek
(1928–2017)
1973 1974 ZKS
8 Marijan Brecelj
(1910–1989)
1974 9 May 1974 ZKS
Presidents of the Presidency
1974–1991
9 Sergej Kraigher
(1914–2001)
9 May 1974 23 May 1979 ZKS
10 Viktor Avbelj
(1914–1993)
23 May 1979 7 May 1984 ZKS
11 France Popit
(1921–2013)
7 May 1984 6 May 1988 ZKS
12 Janez Stanovnik
(1922–2020)
6 May 1988 10 May 1990 ZKS
(12) SDP
13 Milan Kučan
(born 1941)
10 May 1990 23 December 1991 SDP

Parties;   ZLSD / SD   LDS   Independent

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Political Party Elected
Took office Left office Time in office
Presidents
1991–present
1
Milan Kučan
Milan Kučan
(born 1941)
23 December 199122 December 200210 years, 364 daysSD
Independent
1990
1992
1997
2
Janez Drnovšek
Janez Drnovšek
(1950–2008)
22 December 200223 December 20075 years, 1 dayLDS
Independent
2002
3
Danilo Türk
Danilo Türk
(born 1952)
23 December 200722 December 20124 years, 365 daysIndependent2007
4
Borut Pahor
Borut Pahor
(born 1963)
22 December 201222 December 202210 yearsSD
Independent
2012
2017
5
Nataša Pirc Musar
Nataša Pirc Musar
(born 1968)
23 December 2022Incumbent1 year, 349 daysIndependent2022

Latest election

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See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Refer to "Representative function", "Relationship with the government", and "Information" in Part III of the Ribaric report.
  2. ^ The Judicial Council is an independent public body responsible for the administration of the courts, including the recruitment of judges qualified by merit and their discipline.[32][33]

References

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  1. ^ "Za predsedniški položaj pet tisočakov osnovne bruto plače, nekaterim pravicam sta se Pahor in Pečarjeva odrekla". sta.si. Slovenian Press Agency. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Kako volimo predsednika države?". rtvslo.si (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Article 102, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  4. ^ Alenka Krašovec & Damjan Lajh (24 August 2018). Informal Powers by Presidents in a Small State: Semi-Presidentialism in Slovenia. European Consortium for Political Research. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Article 104, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b Simmons, Lennard (13 November 2022). "Slowenien wählt erstmals eine Frau zum Staatsoberhaupt". Die Zeit. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Articles 110 and 114, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  8. ^ Public Management Profiles of Central and Eastern European Countries: Slovenia (PDF) (Report). Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. September 1999. p. 16. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  9. ^ Miha Ribaric (30 May 2000). "Part II: Powers (functions) of the President of the Republic". Status of the President of the Republic of Slovenia in the System of Government (Report). Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  10. ^ Miha Ribaric (30 May 2000). "Part III: The President of the Republic in the system of state bodies". Status of the President of the Republic of Slovenia in the System of Government (Report). Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  11. ^ Miro Cerar (September 1999). "Chapter 12: Slovenia". In Robert Elgie (ed.). Semi-Presidentialism in Europe. pp. 232–259. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Article 81, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Article 91, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Article 86, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  16. ^ Government Communications Office (7 March 2024). "The Slovenian Parliament was the only one actively involved in the EU accession negotiations". Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Article 160, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Article 111, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Article 111, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Article 117, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Article 85, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  22. ^ "About the National Council". National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  23. ^ Lakota, Igor (2006). Sistem nepopolne dvodomnosti v slovenskem parlamentu (diplomska naloga) [The system of incomplete bicameralism in the Slovenian Parliament (diploma thesis)] (PDF) (in Slovenian). Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. p. 62. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  24. ^ "Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Article 108, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  27. ^ "National Assembly Act". National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Article 163, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Position". Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  30. ^ Constitutional Court Act (PDF) (Report). Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia. 2 April 1994. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Article 131, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  32. ^ Government Communication Office. "Judicial Council". Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  33. ^ "About the Judicial Council". Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Article 131, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Annual Report of the Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia for FY 2023" (PDF). Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia. May 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  36. ^ "Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia". The Constitute Project. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
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