REPORT ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY'S WORK IN THE PARLIAMENTARY TERM 2011 - 2014
REPORT ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY'S WORK IN THE PARLIAMENTARY TERM
2011–2014
October 2014
REPORT ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY'S WORK IN THE PARLIAMENTARY TERM 2011 - 2014 Collection: Library collection of the National Assembly published by the Public Relations Office Editor: Karmen Uglešić Data gathering and processing: Staff of the Research and Documentation Division (edited by Igor Zobavnik and Andrej Eror) Front cover photo: Borut Peršolja Front cover design: Martina Čuk Translation: Nina Barlič, Sandra Kos Cerar Publisher: National Assembly, Ljubljana, Šubičeva 4 Phone: +386 1 478 94 00 Production: Public Relations Office UDC: http://www.dz-rs.si/wps/portal/Home/deloDZ/Publikacije/PorocilaDZ
The first page of the publication features the sculpture of Wrestling Boys, work by sculptor France Kralj dating from 1942, which is on display in the lobby of the Large Hall of the National Assembly.
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INTRODUCTORY WORDS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY JANKO VEBER
Ladies and gentlemen,
As I look back at this term and try to roughly evaluate it, I could say that this was an indeed challenging and certainly a varied period which, just like its predecessor, unfortunately came to an early end. I see the main reasons for such in the different views and attempts to serve individual interests as regards privatisation, in the consequences of the global economic and financial crisis and the related adoption of several unpopular measures which touched upon us all, in certain findings in the field of the prevention of corruption, as well as in the frictions within the largest coalition party and its recent break-up.
Also the statistics of activities show that the past, i.e. 6th parliamentary term of the National Assembly, was indeed a varied one. Let me just mention a few: the National Assembly held 95 sessions, 25 regular and 70 extraordinary, which together lasted 194 days. Regular sessions lasted 104 days and extraordinary sessions 90 days. Numerous parliamentary questions and motions were presented and deputies diligently tabled them all until the expiry of the term. 702 agenda items were discussed and 345 laws were adopted, with laws amending other laws being the most frequent. There were only 46 new or, so to speak, renewed laws.
I would like to highlight that, compared to the previous terms, this last term was particularly marked by the adoption of two important amendments to the Constitution and the ratification of Croatia's accession agreement with the European Union. Undoubtedly, the procedure to adopt those three acts was highly challenging – after all, a two-third majority of all deputies was required for these acts to be adopted.
The adopted constitutional amendments – the inclusion of the fiscal rule in the Constitution and the changed referendum arrangement – should also be followed by two implementing acts for the adoption of which a two-third majority is required as well, but sadly they have not been prepared so far, nor submitted to the National Assembly for discussion. Nevertheless, the objectives of the fiscal rule are being pursued in practice and the constitutional amendment concerning the referendum is also already in force: on 8 June 2014, at the request of 4,000 voters, the first referendum was held in line with the adopted amendments (the only one so far) which, in comparison to the previous arrangement, bring significantly stringent requirements as regards the initiative, the admissibility of the referendum, and the conditions for the success of the referendum.
A particular feature of this National Assembly's term was also a strong public interest to tackle the situation in Slovenia. Thus, a total of 15 proposals of popular initiative to adopt a law were submitted; based thereon, seven draft laws were tabled. It might be interesting to read that in the previous term there was no such case.
The turbulence of the 2011–2014 parliamentary term also reflects the perspective on the submitted interpellations, resignations, votes of confidence and no confidence in the Government, dismissals of ministers and the announced impeachments. Seven interpellations concerning the work and accountability of ministers were filed: none of them was successful, but as many as six ministers resigned for various reasons. Mention needs to be made also of the several rounds of voting for the President of the National Assembly, with which we started this parliamentary term, and the numerous attempts at forming a Government. The unsuccessful attempt of forming a Government by the relative winner of the early elections of 4 December 2011 later reflected in the Government being formed by the party which only received the second highest number of votes in the elections.
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Later on, Gregor Virant resigned in protest from the office of President of the National Assembly as a result of the report of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption weighing upon the President of the two largest parties. This was followed by a constructive vote of no confidence in the then President of the Government Janez Janša in February 2013 and the consequent appointment of Alenka Bratušek as the new President, marking also the first time a woman was elected to such high-level position. At the end of the year, Alenka Bratušek requested that a vote of confidence in the Government which she tied on the adoption of the budgets for 2014 and 2015 be held at the National Assembly. And in May 2014, as the National Assembly took note of her resignation, it was already clear that we were heading to yet another early election. Personally, I regret that the legally provided possibilities and procedures as regards drafting the proposal for a new formateur in such situations were not thought through and coincided with the summer recess.
Moreover, the Council of the President of the National Assembly met a total of 105 times and three commissions of inquiry were established. Unfortunately, despite my efforts and the consensus of all deputy groups, we were not able to establish a Committee on Future which, following the model and practice of other countries and in cooperation with experts in individual fields, would discuss issues and views of the modern development of Slovenia and give concrete proposals to parliamentary working bodies. However, I hope that this initiative will come to life in the future.
Let me conclude by stressing that there was very good cooperation between the National Assembly and the President of the Republic and other state bodies. Likewise, I believe that the cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government was at the level of previous parliamentary terms. Let me also mention that during this term I wished to open a discussion also on how to improve the communication on issues concerning the functioning of Slovenia within the European Union, since the current Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government regarding affairs pertaining to the functioning of Slovenia within the EU, does not provide for the National Assembly to adopt or co-create the reform programme which the Government submits to Brussels. Therefore, I believe this to be one of the subjects that ought to be open in the future, giving more power to the National Assembly.
I wish the new, already seventh National Assembly, much wisdom and well-considered decisions.
Janko Veber President of the National Assembly
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CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION – EXPLANATION OF METHOD AND CONTENTS ...... 8 2 GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 10 2.1 Deputies of the National Assembly in the parliamentary term 2011–2014 ...... 10
2.2 Deputy groups ...... 15
2.3 The structure of deputies ...... 16
2.4 Leading officials of the National Assembly ...... 18
2.5 Deputy offices ...... 18
2.6 Ratio coalition–opposition, deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities, unaffiliated deputies ...... 18 3 SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ...... 20 3.1 Sessions of the National Assembly ...... 20
3.2 Adjournments and obstructions ...... 22
3.3 Draft and adopted laws and other acts ...... 23 3.3.1 Adopted laws and other acts ...... 23 3.3.2 Draft and adopted laws by proposer ...... 25 3.3.3 Adopted laws by type of legislative procedure ...... 26 3.3.4 Details concerning the regular legislative procedure ...... 28 3.4 Amendments ...... 28
3.5 Parliamentary questions and motions ...... 30
3.6 Motions and requests filed pursuant to the Referendum and Popular Initiative Act ...... 32
3.7 Impeachment before the Constitutional Court, interpellations, votes of confidence, resignations and dismissals of ministers ...... 32 3.7.1 Impeachment before the Constitutional Court ...... 32 3.7.2 Interpellations ...... 33 3.7.3 Vote of (no) confidence in the Government ...... 34 3.7.4 Resignations of ministers ...... 34 3.7.5 Resignation of the President of the National Assembly ...... 35 3.7.6 Resignation of the President of the Government ...... 35 3.8 Immunity of deputies ...... 36
3.9 Proceedings before the Constitutional Court ...... 36
3.10 Motions and proposals by the National Council ...... 37 3.10.1 Activities of the National Council concerning the legislative procedure ...... 38
4 THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND EU AFFAIRS ...... 39 4.1 Deciding on EU affairs at plenary sessions of the National Assembly ...... 39
4.2 Activities of the working bodies competent for EU affairs ...... 39
4.3 Discussion of EU affairs at meetings of working bodies ...... 40
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4.4 Monitoring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity...... 42 5 WORKING BODIES, COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY AND OTHER STRUCTURES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ...... 43 5.1 Working bodies ...... 43 5.1.1 General information ...... 43 5.1.2 Activities of working bodies ...... 46 5.1.3 Subcommittees ...... 53 5.2 Commissions of inquiry ...... 53 5.2.1 Inquiries ordered, composition and work of the commissions of inquiry ...... 53 5.3 Other structures of the National Assembly ...... 56 6 DEPUTY GROUPS AND UNAFFILIATED DEPUTIES ...... 58 6.1. Some characteristics of deputy groups ...... 58 6.1.1. Structure of deputies by sex, age, education and other indicators, by deputy group .....58 6.2 Activities of deputy groups ...... 61 6.2.1 Deputy groups at sessions of the National Assembly ...... 61 6.2.2 Draft and adopted laws by deputy group ...... 64 6.2.3 Draft amendments by deputy group ...... 65 6.2.4 Parliamentary questions and motions by deputy group ...... 67 6.3 Deputy groups, working bodies and permanent delegations ...... 68 7 THE COUNCIL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ...... 71 8 INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY ...... 72 8.1 Multilateral activities ...... 72 8.1.1 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ...... 72 8.1.2 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ...... 74 8.1.3 NATO Parliamentary Assembly ...... 75 8.1.4 Inter-Parliamentary Union ...... 75 8.1.5 Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean ...... 76 8.1.6 CEI Parliamentary Dimension ...... 77 8.1.7 Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean ...... 78 8.1.8 Adriatic-Ionian Initiative ...... 78 8.1.9 SEECP Parliamentary Assembly ...... 79 8.1.10 Other multilateral meetings ...... 79 8.2 Bilateral activities ...... 79 8.2.1 Parliamentary friendship groups ...... 81 8. 3 Protocol events ...... 83 9 PETITIONS...... 84 10 ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS ...... 86 10.1 Adopted decisions by proposer ...... 86
10.2 Registered changes in the composition of working bodies ...... 86 11 OPENNESS OF PARLIAMENT ...... 87 12 THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ...... 89 13 THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN THE SIXTH PARLIAMENTARY TERM – AFTERWORD BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ...... 91 14 SERVICES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ...... 94 14.1 General information on the Services of the National Assembly ...... 94
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14.2 Work of National Assembly's Services ...... 98 15 SOURCES ...... 100
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1 INTRODUCTION – EXPLANATION OF METHOD AND CONTENTS
The end-of-term report on the work of the National Assembly is a periodical publication issued by the National Assembly with the purpose of informing the public about its work and the work of its Services. Reports on National Assembly's work have been issued in various forms ever since the creation of the National Assembly. Owing to austerity measures recently in place, reports are now available in electronic form only.
As a result of early elections to the National Assembly that were held both at the beginning and at the end of this parliamentary term, the present Report covers the period between 21 December 2011 and 31 July 2014. The term was shorter than usual, similarly to the term that had preceded it. Such peculiarity was borne in mind also by the users of data provided in the Report. Readers who intend to compare the statistics of the previous terms should take account of the fact that data relating to the fifth and sixth terms are not directly comparable with data on other parliamentary terms.
The structure of the Report is similar to the previous end-of-term report. Data on the work of the National Assembly refer to the situation either at the beginning or end of term or on the last day of an individual year, or to changes recorded throughout the term or individual years.
The introductory explanations indicating the content of the Report, the method of gathering data (sources) and the abbreviations used throughout the text are followed by some general information about the National Assembly (elected deputies, deputy groups, structure of deputies by sex, education and age, the leading officials of the National Assembly, etc.). Chapter three presents the sessions of the National Assembly with emphasis on the characteristics and results of the work of the plenary (number of regular and extraordinary sessions and of open and closed sessions, duration of sessions, number of times the floor was taken, number of agenda items, adjournments and obstructions). This chapter also provides data on proposed and adopted laws (and acts), amendments, parliamentary questions and motions, interpellations, immunity, etc. as well as data on the activities of the National Council that are directly connected to the work of the National Assembly.
Chapter four presents the activities of the National Assembly in relation to European Union affairs discussed at plenary sessions and meetings of the working bodies. The following chapter describes the work of working bodies and commissions of inquiry, and presents other structures of the National Assembly. This part of the Report provides individual and aggregate numerical data on the work of the working bodies. Please bear in mind that certain working bodies have an entirely specific manner of work and cannot possibly be compared with others – this applies, for example, to most of the commissions.
Chapter six presents the activities and general features related to deputy groups (composition of deputy groups, draft and adopted acts, amendments). Chapter seven presents the work of the Council of the President of the National Assembly. Chapter eight deals with international cooperation and lists the National Assembly's activities in the framework of multilateral and bilateral cooperation.
Chapters nine and ten deal with petitions (data on the number of petitions, cases solved and structure by topic) and elections and appointments, respectively. Next, a new Chapter eleven is added, dealing with the openness of the National Assembly. Chapter twelve presents the National Assembly's budget.
Chapter thirteen contains the afterword by the Secretary General. The report ends with a presentation of National Assembly's Services.
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Data was searched and gathered according to established data gathering methods. These include a standard questionnaire about the work of the working bodies that is filled in by their respective Secretaries. The description of individual organisational units is based on material delivered by the Heads of individual Services.
Some parts of the Report contain an explicit indication of the source, while a common list of all sources is provided at the end of the Report. Certain data was retrieved from previous reports on the work of the National Assembly. Most information was available in National Assembly's databases in Lotus Notes or provided by the Research Section itself. A considerable contribution to drafting this Report was indeed made by our colleagues from the Services of the National Assembly and the National Council, whom we are most thankful.
The following abbreviations are used throughout the text:
NA - National Assembly NCo - National Council RS - Republic of Slovenia DG - deputy group
PS - Positive Slovenia SDS - Slovenian Democratic Party SD - Social Democrats CL - Civic List (Gregor Virant's Civic List until 24 April 2012) SLS - Slovenian People's Party DeSUS - Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia NSi - New Slovenia – Christian Democrats (most commonly abbreviated to New Slovenia) NC - Deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities UDs - Deputy group of unaffiliated deputies UD - unaffiliated deputy ZaAB - Alliance of Alenka Bratušek
WBR - working body responsible WBC - working body concerned PQ - parliamentary questions PM - parliamentary motions RoP - Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly MEP – Member of European Parliament.
Coalition - the coalition comprises the members of deputy groups of those political parties that signed the coalition agreement; the other deputies form the opposition, with the exception of the deputies of the two national communities and unaffiliated deputies who are listed separately.
The sign "-" in the tables means that no such phenomenon exists or that its value is equal to 0.
The meaning of other abbreviations is explained in the legends after each table.
Ljubljana, October 2014 Research and Documentation Division
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2 GENERAL INFORMATION
2011 saw the first early elections in the history of independent Slovenia (taking place on 4 December 2011), resulting in a new composition of the National Assembly. The first session of the newly elected National Assembly was held on 21 December 2011. However, this term, too, ended prematurely: the National Assembly was dissolved on 2 June 2014 and another early parliamentary election was held on 13 July 2014.
2.1 Deputies of the National Assembly in the parliamentary term 2011–2014
Table 2.1 presents the list of deputies in the parliamentary term 2011–2014 and the changes in composition.
Methodological explanation: Deputies are listed in alphabetical order. The number before the name of the deputy indicates the state of affairs at the end of the term; the third column specifies membership in the deputy group, while the fourth column indicates the possible changes. For example: in cases specified by: - the Deputies Act (Article 14: If a deputy is elected Prime Minister or appointed Minister or State Secretary he may not hold the office of deputy while he is performing such function) and - the National Assembly Elections Act (Article 17: A deputy whose term of office expires ... shall be replaced for the remainder of the term of office by the candidate from the same list of candidates who would have been elected had the deputy whose term of office has expired not been elected) the deputy can (temporarily) not hold the office of deputy – incompatibility of offices, holding the office to replace another deputy who has been appointed minister, change of membership in a deputy group during the term, etc.
Table 2.1: Deputies of the National Assembly and changes in composition
No. NAME DG NOTES 1. BORUT AMBROŽIČ UD Member of PS DG until 6 Sep. 2012.
2. ROBERTO BATTELLI Italian National Community 3. SAMO BEVK SD 4. ALENKA BIKAR PS Holding the office of deputy since 19 Apr. 2012 to replace Zoran Jankovič (elected mayor). FRANC BOGOVIČ SLS Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister if Agriculture and the Environment) and between 20 Mar. 2013 and 1 July 2014 (elected MEP). MIRJAM BON PS Holding the office of deputy between 11 Apr. KLANJŠČEK 2013 to 20 Sep. 2013 to replace Gašpar Gašpar Mišič (appointed State Secretary); holding the office of deputy between 20 Sep. 2013 and 24 Feb. 2014 to replace Tina Komel (appointed Minister without portfolio). 5. DRAGAN BOSNIĆ UD Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014. 6. RIHARD BRANISELJ DL
ALENKA BRATUŠEK PS Holding the office of deputy until 27 Feb. 2013 (elected President of the Government).
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No. NAME DG NOTES 7. FRANC BREZNIK SDS 8. MIRKO BRULC SD 9. RENATA BRUNSKOLE PS SAŠA CIGLAR SDS Holding the office of deputy between 4 Feb. 2013 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Andrej Šircelj (appointed State Secretary). 10. JERKO ČEHOVIN ZaAB Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 11. ZVONKO ČERNAČ SDS Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning) and again since 20 Mar. 2013. 12. ANDREJA ČRNAK SD MEGLIČ 13. ANDREJ ČUŠ SDS Holding the office of deputy since 4 Feb. 2013 to replace Branko Marinič (resigned from office). 14. IVA DIMIC NSi 15. MAJA DIMITROVSKI ZaAB Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. KARL VIKTOR ERJAVEC DeSUS Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs). 16. BRANKO FICKO PS 17. MATEVŽ FRANGEŽ SD GAŠPAR GAŠPAR MIŠIČ PS Holding the office of deputy until 2 Apr. 2013 (appointed State Secretary); reassumed the office of deputy on 20 Sep. 2013 but immediately resigned; his office terminated on the same day. 18. BRANE GOLUBOVIĆ UD Holding the office of deputy since 4 Mar. 2013 to replace Alenka Bratušek (elected President of the Government); member of PS DG until 6 May 2014. 19. LÁSZLÓ GÖNCZ Hungarian National Community 20. VINKO GORENAK SDS Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister of the Interior) and again since 20 Mar. 2013. 21. IVAN GRILL SDS 22. BRANKO GRIMS SDS 23. MATJAŽ HAN SD 24. LEJLA HERCEGOVAC PS
25. KATARINA HOČEVAR DL
26. JOŽEF HORVAT NSi
27. ROBERT HROVAT SDS Holding the office of deputy between 2 Feb. 2012 to 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Janez Janša (elected President of the Government); reassumed the office of deputy on 27 Mar. 2013 to replace Janez Janša (resigned from 11
No. NAME DG NOTES the office of deputy). 28. IVAN HRŠAK DeSUS
29. EVA IRGL SDS
ROMAN JAKIČ PS Holding the office of deputy until 20 Mar. 2013 (appointed Minister of Defence). ZORAN JANKOVIĆ PS Holding the office of deputy until 16 Apr. 2012 (appointed mayor). IVAN JANEZ JANŠA SDS Holding the office of deputy until 28 Jan. 2012 (elected President of the Government); reassumed the office of deputy on 20 Mar. 2013 but immediately resigned; his office of deputy terminated on the same day. 30. DARKO JAZBEC ZaAB Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 31. LJUBICA JELUŠIČ SD Holding the office of deputy since 28 Dec. 2012 to replace Borut Pahor (elected President of the Republic). 32. JANA JENKO DeSUS 33. ALENKA JERAJ SDS 34. ALJOŠA JERIČ ZaAB Holding the office of deputy between 27 Mar. 2013 and 20 Sep. 2013 to replace Tina Komel (appointed Minister without portfolio); reassumed the office of deputy on 20 Sep. 2013 to replace Gašpar Gašpar Mišič (resigned from the office of deputy); member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs from 5 May 2014 to 13 June 2014. 35. JOŽEF JEROVŠEK SDS 36. FRANC JURŠA DeSUS 37. JOŽEF KAVTIČNIK PS 38. JANJA KLASINC PS 39. MAŠA KOCIPER ZaAB Member of PS DG until 5 May 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 40. POLONCA KOMAR DL 41. TINA KOMEL PS Holding the office of deputy until 20 Mar. 2013 (appointed Minister without portfolio responsible for relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the autochthonous Slovenian national community in neighbouring countries and between the Republic of Slovenia and Slovenians abroad) and again since 24 Feb. 2014. ALENKA KOREN SDS Holding the office of deputy from 22 Oct. GOMBOC 2012 to 7 Feb. 2013 to replace Ljubo Žnidar (appointed State Secretary). 42. SAŠA KOS PS Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 29 Apr. 2014 and 5 May 2014; since 7 May 2014 again member of PS DG. 43. MARJANA KOTNIK DeSUS
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No. NAME DG NOTES POROPAT 44. DANIJEL KRIVEC SDS 45. JOŽEF KUNIČ ZaAB Holding the office of deputy since 11 Apr. 2013 to replace Tamara Vonta (appointed State Secretary); member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 46. BRANKO KURNJEK DL Holding the office of deputy since 28 Jan. 2013 to replace Truda Pepelnik (resigned from office). 47. ZVONKO LAH SDS
48. ALENKA LAMPE PS Holding the office of deputy since 14 May 2014 to replace Peter Vilfan (resigned from office). RADO LIKAR SDS Holding the office of deputy between 4 Feb. 2013 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Marko Pogačnik (appointed State Secretary). 49. TOMAŽ LISEC SDS 50. ANŽE LOGAR SDS Holding the office of deputy since 4 July 2014 to replace Romana Tomc (elected MEP). BRANKO MARINIČ SDS Holding the office of deputy until 1 Feb. 2013 (resigned from office). 51. DRAGUTIN MATE SDS 52. SREČKO MEH SD 53. MITJA MERŠOL ZaAB Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 54. JANKO JANI ZaAB Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; MÖDERNDORFER member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 55. JANJA NAPAST SDS 56. LJUDMILA NOVAK NSi Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister without portfolio responsible for relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the autochthonous Slovenian national community in neighbouring countries and between the Republic of Slovenia and Slovenians abroad) and again since 20 Mar. 2013. PETER ODER PS Holding the office of deputy between 27 Mar. 2013 and 11 Dec. 2013 to replace Stanko Stepišnik (appointed Minister). 57. JASMINA OPEC SLS Holding the office of deputy between 14 Feb. 2012 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Radovan Žerjav (appointed Minister), and again since 27 Mar. 2013 to replace Radovan Žerjav (resigned from office). 58. ALEKSANDRA PS Holding the office of deputy since 27 Mar. OSTERMAN 2013 to replace Roman Jakič (appointed Minister). BORUT PAHOR SD Holding the office of deputy until 22 Dec. 2012 (elected President of the Republic). 59. ALENKA PAVLIČ ZaAB Member of PS DG until 28.04.14; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014.
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No. NAME DG NOTES 60. MARKO PAVLIŠIČ DL Holding the office of deputy since 27 Mar. 2013 to replace Gregor Virant (appointed Minister). TRUDA PEPELNIK DL Holding the office of deputy until 28 Dec. 2012 (resigned from office). DAMJANA PETAVAR SDS Holding the office of deputy between 14 Feb. DOBOVŠEK 2012 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Andrej Vizjak (appointed Minister). IVAN PIŠEK SDS Holding the office of deputy between 14 Feb. 2012 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Vinko Gorenak (appointed minister). 61. MARIJA PLEVČAK DeSUS Holding the office of deputy since 14 Feb. 2012 to replace Karl Erjavec (appointed Minister). 62. MARKO POGAČNIK SDS Holding the office of deputy until 1 Feb. 2013 (appointed State Secretary) and again since 20 Mar. 2013. 63. MARIJAN POJBIČ SDS 64. ALOJZIJ POTOČNIK ZaAB Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs between 5 May 2014 and 13 June 2014. 65. MAJDA POTRATA SD 66. JAKOB PRESEČNIK SLS 67. MIHAEL PREVC SLS 68. MATEJA PUČNIK SDS 69. FRANC PUKŠIČ SLS 70. SONJA RAMŠAK SDS 71. JANEZ RIBIČ SLS 72. IVAN SIMČIČ UD Member of DeSUS DG until 18 Apr. 2012. 73. BRANKO SMODIŠ SD Holding the office of deputy since 27 Mar. 2013 to replace Dejan Židan (appointed Minister). 74. BOJAN STARMAN DL 75. STANKO STEPIŠNIK PS Holding the office of deputy until 20 Mar. 2012 (appointed Minister of Economic development and Technology) and again since 11 Dec. 2013. 76. ANDREJ ŠIRCELJ SDS Holding the office of deputy until 1 Feb. 2013 (appointed State Secretary) and again since 20 Mar. 2013. PATRICIJA ŠULIN SDS Holding the office of deputy between 14 Feb. 2012 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Zvonko Černač (appointed Minister). 77. JOŽE TANKO SDS 78. IRENA TAVČAR SDS 79. ŠTEFAN TISEL SDS ROMANA TOMC SDS Holding the office of deputy until 1 July 2014 (elected MEP). 80. MATEJ TONIN NSi 81. KRISTINA VALENČIČ DL JANEZ VASLE NSi Holding the office of deputy between 14 Feb. 2012 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Ljudmila Novak (appointed Minister). 82. JANKO VEBER SD 14
No. NAME DG NOTES 83. JOŽE VELIKONJA PS Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs since 5 May 2014, again member of PS DG since 7 May 2014. PETER VILFAN UDs Holding the office of deputy until 14 May 2013 (resigned from office); member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014; member of UDs from 5 May 2014 until resignation. GREGOR VIRANT DL Holding the office of deputy until 20 Mar. 2013 (appointed Minister of the Interior and Public Administration). 84. ANDREJ VIZJAK SDS Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs) and again since 20 Mar. 2013. 85. IVAN VOGRIN UD Member of DL DG until 10 Apr. 2012. TAMARA VONTA PS Holding the office of deputy until 2 Apr. 2013 (appointed State Secretary). 86. MATJAŽ ZANOŠKAR UD Member of PS DG until 29 Apr. 2014, UD since 29 Apr. 2014. RADOVAN ŽERJAV SLS Holding the office of deputy until 10 Feb. 2012 (appointed Minister of Economic Development and Technology); reassumed the office of deputy on 20 Mar. 2013 but immediately resigned; his office terminated on the same day. 87. BARBARA ŽGAJNER PS DEJAN ŽIDAN SD Holding the office of deputy until 20 Mar. 2013 (appointed Minister of Agriculture and the Environment). 88. LJUBO ŽNIDAR SDS Holding the office of deputy until 16 Oct. 2012 (appointed State Secretary) and again since 7 Feb. 2013. 89. MELITA ŽUPEVC PS 90. ROMAN ŽVEGLIČ SLS Holding the office of deputy between 14 Feb. 2012 and 20 Mar. 2013 to replace Franc Bogovič (appointed Minister) and again since 4 July 2014 to replace Franc Bogovič (elected MEP).
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, Services and databases of the National Assembly.
2.2 Deputy groups
In the 2011–2014 parliamentary term, there were ten deputy groups and several unaffiliated deputies. Data on the formation and number of members of deputy groups and data on unaffiliated deputies are presented in Table 2.2.
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Table 2.2: Deputy groups and changes in the composition
DEPUTY GROUP DATE OF NO. OF MEMBERS AT NUMBER OF MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT THE TIME OF ON 7 JULY 2014 ESTABLISHMENT PS 23 Dec. 2011 28 14 SDS 21 Dec. 2011 26 26 SD 22 Dec. 2011 10 10 DL 23 Dec. 2011 8 7 SLS 21 Dec. 2011 6 6 DeSUS 21 Dec. 2011 6 5 NSi 23 Dec. 2011 4 4 NC 21 Dec. 2011 2 2 UDs 5 May 2014 10 - ZaAB 13 June 2014 10 10 UNAFFILIATED DEPUTIES UD Ivan Vogrin since 10 Apr. 2012. UD Ivan Simčič since 18 Apr. 2012. UD Borut Ambrožič since 6 Sep. 2012 UD Matjaž Zanoškar since 29 Apr. 2014 UD Dragan Bosnić since 29 Apr. 2014 UD Brane Golubović since 6 May 2014
Source: databases of the National Assembly and Commission for Public Office and Elections (services).
Note: In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, the two deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities together have the status of a deputy group.
2.3 The structure of deputies
This subchapter (Tables 2.3 to 2.5) presents some specifics in the structure of deputies, such as: the number of deputies by sex, age and education, and the number of re-elected deputies at the beginning and end of the parliamentary term.
Table 2.3: Structure of deputy by sex
YEAR Female deputies Male deputies
Number % Number % 2011 29 32 61 68 2014 31 34 59 66
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, services.
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Table 2.4: Structure of deputies by age
YEAR Under 30 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and above TOTAL
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % NO. %
2011 2 2 14 16 27 30 35 39 12 13 - - 90 100 2014 3 3 12 13 23 26 33 37 17 19 2 2 90 100
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, services.
Table 2.5: Structure of deputies by education
DG and UD Level Level Level Level Level Level TOTAL 1-3 4-5 6/1 6/2 - 7 8/1 8/2 No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 2011 - - 14 16 8 9 45 50 19 21 4 4 90 100 2014 - - 16 18 9 10 45 50 15 17 5 6 90 100
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, services.
Legend: Level 1: Primary school - unfinished Level 2: Primary school - finished Level 3: Short cycle education - Vocational training Level 4: Vocational school (3 years) Level 5: Secondary school (4 years) Level 6/1: Higher education programmes (until 1994) and professional higher education programmes Level 6/2: Specialisation upon completion of higher education programmes or professional study programmes (1st Bologna Cycle) and professional study programmes or university programmes (1st Bologna Cycle) Level 7: Specialisation upon completion of professional study programmes and university programmes or Masters' study programmes (academic title) 2nd Bologna Cycle Level 8/1: Specialisation upon completion of university programmes or Masters' degrees in science (academic title before the name) Level 8/2: Doctor of science programmes (before the name) or Doctor of science programmes (before the name) 3rd Bologna Cycle
Table 2.6: Number of re-elected deputies
YEAR RE-ELECTED DEPUTIES
2011 36 2014 33
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections (services).
Methodological note: The number of re-elected deputies is compared to the previous parliamentary term.
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2.4 Leading officials of the National Assembly
Presidents of the National Assembly:
Gregor Virant was elected at the first session of the newly elected National Assembly on 21 December 2011. He held the office of President until 28 January 2013.
Janko Veber held the office of President since 27 February 2013.
Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly:
Renata Brunskole held the office of Vice-President of the National Assembly since 2 February 2012. Polonca Komar held the office of Vice-President of the National Assembly since 2 April 2013. Jakob Presečnik held the office of Vice-President between 21 December 2011 and 2 April 2013. Romana Tomc held the office of Vice-President between 9 March 2012 and 8 May 2014.
Secretary General of the National Assembly:
Mojca Prelesnik was appointed Secretary General of the National Assembly on 14 February 2012.
2.5 Deputy offices
Deputy offices are established pursuant to the Deputies Act, a decision adopted by the Commission for Public Office and Elections, and a decision taken by the deputies. Deputy offices are normally open on Mondays.
94 deputy offices were operating at the end of the parliamentary term 2011-2014.
2.6 Ratio coalition–opposition, deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities, unaffiliated deputies
Table 2.7 shows the ratio between coalition and opposition deputies at the beginning and at the end of the parliamentary term.
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Table 2.7: Coalition and opposition, deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities, unaffiliated deputies
BEGINNING OF TERM Coalition - deputy group and Opposition - Deputies of the No. of deputies deputy group and No. of Italian Unaffiliated deputies and Hungarian deputies national communities SDS - 26 PS - 27 NC - 2 UD - 3 DL - 6 SD - 10 SLS - 6
DeSUS - 5 NSi - 4
47 deputies 37 deputies 2 deputies 3 deputies TOTAL 89 DEPUTIES
END OF TERM Coalition - deputy group Opposition - Deputies of the and No. of deputies deputy group and No. of Italian Unaffiliated deputies and Hungarian deputies national communities
PS - 14 SDS - 26 NC - 2 UD - 6 SD - 10 SLS - 6 DL - 7 NSi - 4
DeSUS - 5 ZaAB – 10*
46 deputies 36 deputies 2 deputies 6 deputies TOTAL 90 DEPUTIES
Source: databases of the National Assembly.
Note: * Before members of PS DG.
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3 SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
3.1 Sessions of the National Assembly
The National Assembly fulfils its primary mission at regular and extraordinary sessions that are normally open to the public. The calling and the organisation of sessions are specified by the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly.
Regular sessions are convened by the President of the National Assembly during regular annual terms of the National Assembly (in the spring term between 10 January and 15 July and in the autumn term between 1 September and 20 December), as a general rule every month during the last seven working days. Pursuant to a decision of the National Assembly or an agreement reached by the Council of the President of the National Assembly, regular sessions may also be convened on other days.
Extraordinary sessions are convened by the President of the National Assembly at the request of at least one quarter of the deputies or of the President of the Republic no later than 15 days from the tabling of the request. An extraordinary session may be convened by the President of the National Assembly on the proposal of the Government or pursuant to a decision by the Council in the event of issues that can not be postponed and can not be placed in time on the agenda of a regular session.
The work of the National Assembly is open to the public unless confidential issues are discussed. The National Assembly may decide to discuss a specific issue in a closed session. In such case the chairperson decides who, in addition to the deputies, may be present at a session or part of a session closed to the public.
In the parliamentary term 2011-2014, the National Assembly met on 951 sessions. 25 sessions were regular sessions while 70 were extraordinary sessions.
The total duration of sessions was 194 days, i.e. 1103 hours and 48 minutes. The regular sessions lasted 104 days (or 691 hours and 8 minutes), whereas extraordinary sessions lasted 90 days (or 412 hours and 40 minutes).
Altogether, the National Assembly discussed 702 agenda items: 479 at regular sessions and 223 at extraordinary sessions. The floor was taken 17,116 times: 9933 times by the deputies as individuals and 2638 times by the representatives of the Government.
Detailed data on sessions are provided in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1: Regular and extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly
TOTAL REGULAR REGULAR SESSIONS EXTRAORDINARY SESSIONS + EXTRAORDINARY Convened according to work Convened on proposal of the programme (Art. 57(1) of the Government or following a 24 28* 52* Rules of Procedure) decision of the Council of the
President of the NA (Art. 58(2) of the Rules of Procedure)
1 Formal sessions excluded. 20
TOTAL REGULAR REGULAR SESSIONS EXTRAORDINARY SESSIONS + EXTRAORDINARY Convened on a proposal of the Convened at request of at President of the Republic - 1st least a quarter of deputies or session (Article 81(3) of the 1 the President of the Republic 51* 52* Constitution) (Article 58(1) of the Rules of Procedure) Public session 25 Public session 70 95 Closed for the public** 2** Closed for the public 3** 5** TOTAL NO. OF REGULAR TOTAL NO. OF SESSIONS 25 EXTRAORDINARY 70 95 SESSIONS Duration in days 104 Duration in days 90 194 Duration in hours and minutes 691:08 Duration in hours and minutes 412:40 1103:48 No. of items on the agenda 479 No. of items on the agenda 223 702 No. of items withdrawn 1 No. of items withdrawn - 1 No. of agenda extensions 23 No. of agenda extensions 17 40 No. of items postponed to other No. of items postponed to - 2 2 sessions other sessions No. of secret ballots 9 No. of secret ballots 5 14 No. of speakers 3253 No. of speakers 2350 5603 No. of times the floor was taken: No. of times the floor was 11611 5505 17116 taken: - by working body responsible 247 - by working body responsible 157 404 - by deputy groups*** 2459 - by deputy groups 1306 3765 - by the Government 2234 - by the Government 404 2638 - by deputies*** 6475 - by deputies 3458 9933 - by the National Council 6 - by the National Council 10 16 - by Legislative and Legal - by Legislative and Legal 3 1 4 Service Service - by others 187 - by others 217 404
Source: Data provided by the Secretariat of the National Assembly.
Notes: * Nine extraordinary sessions were convened on the basis of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 58 of the Rules of Procedure, which was considered in both cases; the number of extraordinary sessions and the total number specified in the table therefore deviate from the number of the sessions actually held. ** The sessions partly closed to the public (e.g. in relation to one agenda item) are considered both under public sessions and under sessions closed to the public. *** Not including deputy groups and deputies acting as proposers of an item; such deputy groups and deputies are considered under the category "others".
With the exception of two regular and three extraordinary sessions that were partly closed, all sessions were public. The following sessions were partly closed to the public:
. 4th regular session – partly closed to the public (item 15 on the agenda of 14 June 2012) as it discussed the report on the work of the Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence and Security Services for 2011;
. 16th regular session – partly closed to the public (item 23 on the agenda of 12 July 2013) as it discussed the report on the work of the Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence and Security Services for 2012;
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. 16th extraordinary session – partly closed to the public (item 26 on the agenda of 17 July 2012) as it discussed the Information on the state of affairs in the Slovenian banking system.
. 26th extraordinary session – partly closed to the public (item 1 on the agenda of 4 February 2013) to allow the deputies to take a position regarding the supplemented draft memorandum of the Republic of Slovenia concerning the Arbitration Agreement with Croatia.
. 70th extraordinary session – partly closed to the public (item 5 on the agenda of 20 June 2014) as it discussed the report on the work of the Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence and Security Services for 2013.
3.2 Adjournments and obstructions
The session of the National Assembly is suspended when so required by the leader of a deputy group in order to consult with the deputy group. A deputy group may require such suspension only once for every item on the agenda. The suspension may not exceed 45 minutes, unless otherwise decided by the National Assembly. The session of the National Assembly may be suspended i.e. adjourned if it is established that a quorum no longer exists, if consultations are necessary prior to voting, if opinions need to be obtained by the working bodies, by the Legislative and Legal Service or by the Government, and in other cases.
The leader of a deputy group may announce the absence of all members of his deputy group from the discussion of a given item on the agenda (obstruction), and must state the reasons for such.
Table 3.2 indicates the number of adjournments and obstructions in individual years. Sessions were adjourned 218-times for various reasons, and the deputy groups announced 48 obstructions.
Table 3.2: Adjournments and obstructions
2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL ADJOURNMENTS 14 89 76 39 218 Regular sessions 13 43 48 21 125 Extraordinary sessions 1 46 28 18 93 OBSTRUCTIONS - 33 7 8 48 Regular sessions - 7 1 3 11 Extraordinary sessions - 26 6 5 37
Source: Data provided by the Secretariat of the National Assembly.
The reasons for the adjournment of sessions are presented in more detail in Table 3.3. The most frequent reasons for adjournment were adjournments prior to the voting or due to the voting, adjournment at the request of deputy groups, and adjournments due to "other reasons" including, among others, adjournments prior to the voting or due to the voting, suspensions due to technical problems, etc. As regards obstructions, it should be noted that account is taken of the total number of deputy groups that announced an obstruction as well as of the total number of agenda items in relation to which obstructions were announced; thus, the number of obstructions is higher than the number of sessions at which they were announced.
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Table 3.3: Reasons for adjournments
2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL At request of deputy groups 3 16 13 8 40 To obtain an opinion (of working bodies, of the Government, of the 1 10 4 2 17 Legislative and Legal Service) Due to absence (non-cooperation) of - 4 2 - 6 the Government Due to lack of a quorum - - 4 5 9 Prior to parliamentary questions - 5 1 - 6 Prior to voting or because of voting 4 24 38 18 84 Due to the meeting of the Council of - - - 1 1 the President Due to distribution of materials 1 1 1 - 3 In accordance with the time schedule - - 3 - 3 Due to technical problems - 5 - 2 7
Other 5 24 10 3 42 TOTAL 14 89 76 39 218
Source: Data provided by the Secretariat of the National Assembly.
Diagram 3.1: Reasons for adjournments in %
3.3 Draft and adopted laws and other acts
3.3.1 Adopted laws and other acts
In accordance with the Constitution and its Rules of Procedure, the National Assembly adopts various acts. Article 107 of the Rules of Procedure provides that the National Assembly adopts constitutional acts amending the Constitution, laws, authentic interpretations of laws, the state 23 budget, the supplementary state budget, amendments to the state budget and the annual financial statement of the state budget, the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions, declarations, recommendations, decisions, and official consolidated texts of laws.
The tables below indicate all laws and acts adopted by the National Assembly in the parliamentary term 2011–2014. In addition to constitutional laws, laws, laws amending other laws and ratifications, Table 3.4 also contains a separate category on "Acts of notification" although such is not regulated by the Rules of Procedure but by the Foreign Affairs Act, instead.
345 laws were adopted in the parliamentary term 2011-2014, including two acts of notification.
Table 3.4: Adopted laws, amendments to laws, and ratifications
ADOPTED LAWS 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
Constitutional acts - - 2 - 2 Laws 1 14 19 12 46 Laws amending laws - 90 77 44 211 Ratifications - 35 32 17 84 Acts on notification - 1 1 - 2 TOTAL 1 140 131 73 345
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 2 September 2014.
In the parliamentary term 2011-2014 the National Assembly adopted 303 other acts, mostly in the form of decisions (214).
Table 3.5: Adopted acts
ADOPTED ACTS 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Authentic interpretations - - - 1 1 Ordinances 1 15 23 3 42 Rules of Procedure - - 1 - 1 Budgets - 2 1 - 3 Supplementary budgets - 2 1 - 3 Decisions 8 87 81 38 214 Amendments to the budget - - 1 - 1 Annual financial statements - - 3 - 3 Resolutions - 2 7 3 12 Declarations - - 1* 1 2 Recommendations - 1 5 2 8 Official consolidated texts of - 4 5 4 13 laws Vote of confidence in the - - ** - - Government Vote of no confidence in the - - *** - - Government TOTAL 9 113 129 52 303
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 2 September 2014.
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Legend: * On 7 March 2013, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration on activities of the Republic of Slovenia in the institutions of the European Union in the period January 2013 – June 2014. ** At its session of 15 November 2013, the National Assembly discussed the Draft amendments to the budget for 2014, to the adoption of which the President of the Government tied the vote of confidence in the Government. In such case, the vote of confidence is not voted on separately. Since the National Assembly adopted the said Act, it is deemed that the vote of confidence in the Government did not pass (Article 258(4) of the Rules of Procedure). *** Pursuant to Article 116(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, the vote of no confidence in the Government has been passed on 27 February 2013 with the decision of electing a new President of the Government.
The table below shows some special categories of acts adopted by the National Assembly in this term. National programmes are adopted by resolution while parliamentary inquiries are ordered by ordinance. Referendums, too, are called by ordinance.
Table 3.6: Adopted acts - specific categories
ADOPTED ACTS - specific categories 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
National programmes - 2 6 2 10 Parliamentary inquiries - - 4* - 4 Calling of referendums - 1 - 1 2 Reports - 2 4 2 8
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 2 September 2014.
* In 2013, 3 new parliamentary inquiries were ordered, while the scope of one inquiry was extended.
3.3.2 Draft and adopted laws by proposer
Laws may be proposed by the Government, a deputy, the National Council, or at least 5,000 voters. 474 laws were proposed and 345 adopted in the parliamentary term 2011–2014. Most of the adopted laws were proposed by the Government (322), followed by deputies (22) and the National Council (1). Seven laws were proposed by popular initiative but were not adopted. Table 3.7 and diagrams 3.2 and 3.3 show the ratio between draft and adopted laws by proposer.
Table 3.7: Draft and adopted laws by year and proposer
PROPOSER 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
Draft Adopted Draft Adopted Draft Adopted Draft Adopted Draft Adopted Deputies - - 23 7 31 7 23 8 77 22 Government 1 1 169 133 155 123 61 65 386 322 National Council - - 3 - - 1 1 - 4 1 Voters - - 2 - 5 - - - 7 - Total 1 1 197 140 191 131 85 73 474 345
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 2 September 2014.
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Diagram 3.2: Share of draft laws by proposer
Diagram 3.3: Share of adopted laws by proposer
3.3.3 Adopted laws by type of legislative procedure
As a general rule, the legislative procedure comprises three stages (readings) although in specific cases a law can be adopted by an urgent or a shortened procedure. The Rules of Procedure specify the following types of procedure:
- regular procedure with three readings of a law: the first reading - held at a plenary session in the form of a general debate only on request of ten deputies - and the second and third readings; in specific cases, the second and third readings may be held at the same session (see below: Details concerning the regular legislative procedure);
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- shortened procedure: to discuss minor amendments to a law, the expiration of a law or individual provisions, minor harmonisations with other laws or the EU law, or amendments relating to procedures before the Constitutional Court or a decision thereof; - urgent procedure: where so required in the interests of the security or defence of the state, or in order to eliminate the consequences of natural disasters, or to prevent consequences regarding the functioning of the state that would be difficult to remedy. Such procedure can only be proposed by the Government.
There is no general debate in the shortened and urgent procedures, the second and third readings are always held at the same session, and different deadlines apply for individual tasks.
In the parliamentary term 2011–2014, 72 laws were adopted by the regular procedure, 85 by the urgent procedure, and 100 by the shortened procedure; the National Assembly also adopted 86 ratifications and two constitutional acts amending the Constitution. Table 3.8 indicates the ratio between the various types of procedure by year; diagram 3.4 shows the share (%) of adopted laws by type of legislative procedure.
Table 3.8: Number of adopted laws by type of legislative procedure and year
ADOPTED LAWS 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
Constitutional amendment - - 2 - 2 Regular procedure - 19 31 22 72 Urgent procedure 1 40 34 10 85 Shortened procedure - 45 31 24 100 Ratification - 36 33 17 86 TOTAL 1 140 131 73 345
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 2 September 2014.
Diagram 3.4: Share of adopted laws by type of legislative procedure
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3.3.4 Details concerning the regular legislative procedure
In the parliamentary term 2011-2014, 72 laws were adopted by regular legislative procedure, of which 64 were proposed by the Government, seven by the deputies, and one by the National Council.
Requests for general debate
According to the Rules of Procedure, a group of at least ten deputies may request that a general debate be held during the first reading of a draft law by the regular procedure. The deputies took advantage of such possibility in relation to 32 laws proposed by the Government and four laws proposed by the deputies.
The requests for a general debate on laws proposed by the Government were launched by: SDS (18x), SD (10x), PS (3x) and DL (1x). The requests were co-signed by: DeSUS (8x), DL (7x), SLS (4x), NSi (4x), SD (3x) and PS (1x).
A general debate was requested also for four laws proposed by the deputies. The requests were launched by SDS, SD, SLS and NSi (one each) and co-signed by SLS and NSi.
The third reading and voting on the law
If in the second reading amendments are adopted to less than a tenth of the articles of the supplemented draft law, the National Assembly may decide to hold the third reading of the draft law at the same session (Article 138 of the Rules of Procedure). In the parliamentary term 2011– 2014, 14 or 19% of all laws adopted by the regular procedure were adopted in accordance with the above provision.
If no amendment to the supplemented draft law is adopted in the second reading, the National Assembly proceeds to a vote on the law at the same session (Article 139 of the Rules of Procedure). In the present parliamentary term, the deputies adopted 46 laws or 64% of all laws adopted by the regular procedure according to such Article. This means that the second and third readings were held at the same session in 83% of the cases (60 laws).
3.4 Amendments
A total of 6163 amendments were tabled to laws and other acts, and 3830 were adopted. Table 3.9 and Diagram 3.5 show the ratio between proposed and adopted amendments by proposer.
Table 3.9: Number of amendments to laws and acts by proposer
PROPOSER 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted posed posed posed posed posed Laws Working 10 10 176 175 262 256 114 114 562 555 body** Deputies* 39 25 1873 1280 2149 1165 931 528 4992 2998 Government 3 3 5 3 3 1 5 5 16 12 TOTAL laws 52 38 2054 1458 2414 1422 1050 647 5570 3565
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PROPOSER 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted Pro- Adopted posed posed posed posed posed Acts Working body - - 11 11 57 55 12 12 80 78 Deputies* - - 148 54 260 90 100 38 508 182 Government - - 3 3 2 2 - - 5 5 TOTAL acts - - 162 68 319 147 112 50 593 265
Working 10 10 187 186 319 311 126 126 642 633 body** Deputies* 39 25 2021 1334 2409 1255 1031 566 5500 3180 Government 3 3 8 6 5 3 5 5 21 17 TOTAL laws 52 38 2216 1526 2733 1569 1162 697 6163 3830 and acts
Source: Annual reports on National Assembly's work, databases of the National Assembly, 15 September 2014.
Notes: * See Chapter 6 for specification by deputy groups. ** See Chapter 5 for specification by deputy groups.
Diagram 3.5: Share of adopted amendments by proposer, in %
Over the entire parliamentary term, 62% of all amendments proposed to laws and acts were adopted. The proposers' shares in adopted amendments were as follows: working body 98.60%, deputies 57.82%, the Government 80.95%.
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3.5 Parliamentary questions and motions
Parliamentary questions and motions are an important tool to supervise the work of the Government and ministries. Once a month, oral parliamentary questions are discussed at the regular session of the National Assembly as a separate agenda item.
Table 3.0 shows the number of answered and unanswered parliamentary questions and motions tabled by coalition and opposition deputies, by the two deputies of the national communities, and by unaffiliated deputies. No parliamentary question or motion was tabled in 2011; data thus relate to 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Methodological explanation: Data in the tables differ due to different counting methods. If the same parliamentary question or motion was tabled by several deputies, it is considered as one question. If the same parliamentary question or motion is addressed to several addressees (the Government or ministry), it is indicated in the table for each addressee as a request for an independent answer. If no answer to the parliamentary question/motion tabled by several deputies was submitted by one of the addressees, this addressee is shown under the heading of unanswered parliamentary questions.
Table 3.10: Number of parliamentary questions and motions by proposer
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS 2012 2013* 2014 AND MOTIONS TOTAL Until 20 March Since 20 March 2013 2013 COALITION Answered 144 30 187 86 447 Unanswered - - - 5 5 OPPOSITION Answered 479 83 468 436 1466 Unanswered - - - 32 32 NC Answered 27 17 7 51 Unanswered - - - - UD Answered 8 39 15 62 Unanswered - - - - TOTAL tabled 658 824 581 2063
Source: databases of the National Assembly in Lotus Notes and data provided by the administrator of the Parliamentary questions and motions database.
Note: * The table refers to both Governments (the second Government was formed on 20 March 2013).
Table 3.10 reveals that 37 parliamentary questions and motions were still unanswered at the end of the term. Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure (Article 249a), upon the beginning of the term of office of a new Government, Minister, or the Secretary General of the Government, unanswered parliamentary questions or motions submitted to the Government, Minister, or the Secretary General of the Government are dismissed.
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Table 3.11 Number of parliamentary questions and motions by addressee and year
ADDRESSEE/YEAR 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL President of the Government 31 40 20 91 Secretary General of the Government 5 3 5 13 Government 35 50 41 126 Minister of Health 47 48 44 139 Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs (and Equal Opportunities since 20 march 76 92 58 226 2013) Minister of Finance 47 71 69 187 Minister of Economic Development and 49 71 51 171 Technology Minister of Infrastructure and Spatial 96 95 80 271 Planning Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (Minister of Education since 20 March 116 110 58 284 2013) Minister of Culture (since 20 March 2013) - 28 28 56 Minister of Agriculture and the Environment 114 107 68 289 Minister of the Interior 27 65 42 134 Minister of Defence 18 22 15 55 Minister of Justice and Public Administration 33 80 37 150 (Minister of Justice since 20 March 2013) Minister of Foreign Affairs 20 16 20 56 Minister without Portfolio Responsible for 5 8 9 22 Slovenes Abroad
Source: databases of the National Assembly and data provided by the administrator of the Parliamentary questions and motions database.
Note: The table refers to both Governments (the second Government was formed on 20 March 2013), also as regards the number and name of the ministries. Questions intended for Ministers or the President of the Government who were performing their regular duties or who temporarily performed also the function of another Minister were deemed as a question to the competent Minister.
90 parliamentary questions and motions were withdrawn. Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure, on the proposal of the deputy that asked the question, the National Assembly may decide to hold a debate on the answer provided by the Government, Minister, or the Secretary General of the Government at its next session. No such proposal was tabled in the parliamentary term 2011– 2014.
Detailed data on the number of questions and motions by individual deputy groups are presented in Chapter 6.
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3.6 Motions and requests filed pursuant to the Referendum and Popular Initiative Act
In the parliamentary term 2011–2014, eleven initiatives to call a referendum were submitted: ten to call a legislative referendum and one to call a consultative referendum. A total of 15 proposals of popular initiative to adopt a law were submitted; based thereon, seven draft laws were tabled.
Table 3.12 Motions and requests filed pursuant to the Referendum and Popular Initiative Act
MOTIONS OR REQUESTS FILED 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Legislative Referendum - 9 - 1 10 Consultative referendum - - 1 - 1 Referendum on international integrations - - - - - Total (motions or requests for referendum) - 9 1 1 11 Popular initiative (Art. 59 of the Referendum and 6 3* 15 - 6 Popular Initiative Act) Laws tabled 2 5 - 7 TOTAL (filed pursuant to the Referendum and - 15 7 4 26 Popular Initiative Act)
Source: databases of the National Assembly and of the Office of the President of the National Assembly, 3 September 2014.
Note: * The motions were filed but the signature collection procedure had not started due to formal deficiencies.
Table 3.13: Number of referendums held
REFERENDUMS HELD 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
Legislative - 1* - 1 2 Consultative - - - - - On international integration - - - - - TOTAL - 1 - 1 2
Source: databases of the National Assembly and of the Office of the President of the National Assembly.
Note: * The only referendum in 2012 was held on 25 March on the basis of the initiative from 2011 (concerning the Family Code). Most voters cast votes against the entry into force of the Code.
3.7 Impeachment before the Constitutional Court, interpellations, votes of confidence, resignations and dismissals of ministers
3.7.1 Impeachment before the Constitutional Court
Impeachments and dismissals No proposal to impeach the President of the Republic, the President of the Government or a minister was tabled in the 6th parliamentary term. In such period, no minister was dismissed by the National Assembly.
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3.7.2 Interpellations
The interpellation is a means of supervision over the work of the Government and individual ministers. Article 118 of the Constitution provides that an interpellation with respect to the work of the Government or an individual minister may be initiated in the National Assembly by at least ten deputies. If, after the debate following such interpellation, a majority of all deputies carries a vote of no confidence in the Government or in an individual minister, the National Assembly dismisses the Government or said minister. Such procedure is regulated in more detail by Articles 250-253 of the Rules of Procedure. In this parliamentary term, seven interpellations were discussed.
Table 3.14: Interpellations with respect to the work of the ministers, 21 December 2011 - 2 August 2014
Result of INTERPELLATION Submitted by: Submitted on: Decided on: voting: Minister of the Group of deputies (with Jani 18 Dec. 2012 Interior Vinko Möderndorfer as the first- (9th regular present: 87, for: 19 Nov. 2012 Gorenak signed) session) 37, against: 48.
Minister of Group of deputies (with Education, Science, Janko Veber as the first- Culture and Sport signed) 19 Feb. 2013 - - Žiga Turk2
Minister of Finance Group of deputies (with Jože 20 Nov. 2013 present: 76, for: Uroš Čufer Tanko as the first-signed) 1 Oct. 2013 (19th regular 28, against: 48 session) Minister of the Group of deputies (with 13 Dec. 2013 Interior Gregor Matej Tonin as the first- (50th present: 85, for: 12 Nov. 2013 Virant signed) extraordinary 36, against: 47 session) Minister of Group of deputies (with Jože 30 Jan. 2014 Infrastructure and Tanko as the first-signed) present: 76, for: 11 Dec. 2013 (21st regular Spatial Planning 28, against: 47 session) Samo Omrzel Minister of Group of deputies (with Jože 31 Mar. 2014 Education, Science Tanko as the first-signed) present: 75, for: 5 Feb. 2014 (23rd regular and Sport Jernej 30, against: 43 session) Pikalo Minister of the Group of deputies (with Ivan 4 Apr. 2014 present: 64, for: Interior Gregor Vogrin as the first-signed) 20 Feb. 2014 (23rd regular 39, against: 23 Virant session)
Source: databases of the National Assembly.
2 With the election of Alenka Bratušek for President of the Government, a vote of no confidence in the previous Government was passed on 27 February 2013 in accordance with Article 116 of the Constitution. The incumbent President of the Government Janez Janša was thus dismissed. Considering the above, the interpellation concerning the work and accountability of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Žiga Turk was dismissed. 33
3.7.3 Vote of (no) confidence in the Government
Vote of no confidence in the Government
Article 116 of the Constitution stipulates that the National Assembly passes a vote of no confidence in the Government when, upon a motion submitted by no less than ten deputies and adopted by a majority vote of all elected deputies, it elects a new President of the Government (a constructive vote of no confidence). The incumbent President of the Government is thereby dismissed, but together with his ministers he must continue to perform his regular duties until the swearing in of a new Government. Such procedure is regulated in more detail by the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (Articles 254-256).
27 February 2013 At its 28th extraordinary session, the National Assembly voted on the proposal to elect a new President of the Government (Alenka Bratušek). 89 deputies were present. 55 voted in favour of her election while 33 voted against such. Based on the result of the voting, Alenka Bratušek was elected President of the Government with a majority vote of all deputies. With the election of the new President of the Government, a vote of no confidence in the previous Government was passed in accordance with Article 116 of the Constitution. The incumbent President of the Government Janez Janša was thus dismissed.
Vote of confidence in the Government
Article 117 of the Constitution provides that the President of the Government may require in the National Assembly a vote of confidence in the Government. If the Government does not receive the support of a majority vote of all deputies, the National Assembly must elect within 30 days a new President of the Government or in a new vote express its confidence in the incumbent President of the Government. Such procedure is regulated in more detail by the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (Articles 257-260).
In this parliamentary term, one request to decide on a vote of confidence in the Government was presented.
15 November 2013 At its 47th extraordinary session, the National Assembly voted on the proposed amendments to the budget of the Republic of Slovenia for 2014, to which the President of the Government Alenka Bratušek tied a vote of confidence in the Government. 81 deputies were present. 50 voted in favour of the proposal, while 31 voted against such. Considering the result of the voting, the amendments to the 2014 budget were deemed adopted and the vote of confidence in the Government was passed.
3.7.4 Resignations of ministers
The procedure concerning the resignation of a minister is similar to the one applied in the case of resignation of the President of the Government, and is regulated by the Government Act (Article 12) and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (Article 261). Within seven days of receiving a written statement of resignation from a minister, the President of the Government must inform the President of the National Assembly thereof in writing. The issue is placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly within one week at the latest. It is deemed that the office of the minister terminates when the National Assembly has been informed of the resignation at a session.
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In this term, a total of six ministers presented their resignations.
Table 3.15: Resignations of ministers
2011 - 2012 2013 2014 - Minister of Finance Minister of Health Janez Šušteršič Alenka Trop Skaza - Minister of Justice and Public - Administration Senko Pličanič - Minister of Infrastructure and - Spatial Planning Igor Maher - Minister of Economic - Development and Technology Stanko Stepišnik - Minister of Health Tomaž Gantar -
Source: databases of the National Assembly.
3.7.5 Resignation of the President of the National Assembly
The procedure concerning the resignation of a deputy or high official of the National Assembly is regulated by Article 202 of the National Assembly's Rules of Procedure. If it is the President of the National Assembly who resigns, he/she presents the statement of resignation to the deputies of the National Assembly. It is deemed that the office of such official terminates when the National Assembly takes note of the resignation at its session.
The National Assembly took note of the resignation of President Gregor Virant on 28 January 2013.
3.7.6 Resignation of the President of the Government
The procedure concerning the resignation of the President of the Government is regulated by the Government Act and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly. Article 12 of the Government Act provides that the President of the Government must inform the ministers of his/her resignation, and has the right to explain such resignation to the National Assembly.
According to Article 261 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, the President of the Government informs the President of the National Assembly of his/her resignation in writing. The notification of the resignation of the President of the Government is placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly no later than seven days after receiving such notification. It is deemed that the office of the President of the Government terminates when the National Assembly has taken note of the resignation at its session. The National Assembly does not vote on the resignation of the President of the Government but merely establishes that the office of the President has terminated.
At its 63rd extraordinary session, the National Assembly took note of the resignation of the President of the Government Alenka Bratušek.
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3.8 Immunity of deputies
The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia provides that no deputy of the National Assembly is criminally liable for any opinion expressed or vote cast at sessions of the National Assembly or its working bodies (professional immunity). Furthermore, it provides that no deputy may be detained nor, where such deputy claims immunity, may criminal proceedings be initiated against him without the permission of the National Assembly, except where such deputy has been apprehended committing a criminal offence for which a prison sentence of over five years is prescribed (non- professional immunity). The National Assembly may also grant immunity to a deputy who has not claimed such immunity or who has been apprehended committing a criminal offence (Article 83 of the Constitution).
The Constitution grants immunity also to judges and Constitutional Court judges. Immunity is also granted to the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsmen in accordance with the Ombudsman Act.
In the parliamentary term 2011–2014, the National Assembly discussed 17 cases concerning the immunity of deputies. The National Assembly did not grant immunity and the deputies did not claim such.
In the same period, the National Assembly discussed four cases relating to the immunity of judges. Immunity was granted in two cases only.
Table 3.16: Immunity cases
IMMUNITY CASES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
Immunity granted although the deputies had not claimed such - - - - - Immunity granted, the deputies had claimed such - - - - - Immunity not granted although the deputies had claimed such - - - - - Immunity not granted, the deputies had not claimed such - 11 4 2 17 Other immunity cases: judges, Constitutional Court judges, - 2 2 - 4 Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsmen TOTAL - 13 6 2 21
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections - services, 29 September 2014.
3.9 Proceedings before the Constitutional Court
Pursuant to Article 160 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Constitutional Court Act, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia decides on the constitutionality of laws and on the constitutionality and legality of other general legal acts of the National Assembly. Furthermore, the Constitutional Court has other powers regarding the acts of the National Assembly: it decides on constitutional complaints, on jurisdictional disputes, on proposals for and calling of referendums, on deputies' terms of office, etc. The relation between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court is specifically regulated by Articles 262-271 of the Rules of Procedure.
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In this parliamentary term the Constitutional Court referred 166 issues to the National Assembly, in 108 of which it asked for a reply or explanation.
The Constitutional Court issued 21 decisions whereby it abrogated individual legal provisions, and 15 decisions whereby it established that certain legal provisions were unconstitutional.
Table 3.17: Issues subject to constitutional review or verification of legality referred to the National Assembly by the Constitutional Court
TYPE OF ISSUE No. of issues 2011–2014 Issues sent to the National Assembly by the Constitutional Court: 166 Issues sent to the National Assembly for reply or explanation 108 Issues settled in the National Assembly: 160 - Issues settled at the Constitutional Court3 104 - Replies or explanations sent to the Constitutional Court by the National Assembly 56
Source: Legislative and Legal Service.
Table 3.18: Types of Constitutional Court decisions in relation to issues referred to the National Assembly for reply or explanation
DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT No. of issues 2011–2014 Confirmation of unconstitutionality 15 Abrogation of a Law 21
Source: Legislative and Legal Service.
3.10 Motions and proposals by the National Council
The National Council may propose to the National Assembly the passing of laws (legislative initiative), convey to the National Assembly its opinion on all matters within its competence, require the National Assembly to decide again on a given law prior to its promulgation (suspensive veto), and require inquiries on matters of public importance (a parliamentary inquiry). Where required by the National Assembly, the National Council must express its opinion on an individual matter. In addition, it may propose that an authentic interpretation of a law be adopted.4
3 By Decision, the Constitutional Court: - determined conformity, - refused an initiative or request, - rejected an initiative or request, - suspended the proceedings. 4 Prior to the 2013 constitutional amendment, the National Council had the right to require the calling of a referendum.
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3.10.1 Activities of the National Council concerning the legislative procedure
Table 3.19 shows the number of draft and adopted laws, opinions and other proposals; Table 3.20 shows the number of suspensive vetoes and the result of new voting.
Table 3.19: Number of draft and adopted laws, number of opinions and other proposals
LAWS 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Draft laws 3 1 1 5 Adopted laws 1 1 - 2 Opinions* 24 49 22 95 Proposal for authentic interpretation - - - - Parliamentary inquiry 1** - - -
Source: National Council of the Republic of Slovenia.
Legend: * The number does not comprise the opinions of National Council's commissions. ** In 2013, the National Council presented the motion to extend and supplement the parliamentary inquiry to determine the abuses in the Slovenian banking system, which the National Assembly had ordered on 1 February 2013. After such parliamentary inquiry had been extended on the proposal of the National Council, the National Council withdrew its request to initiate a parliamentary inquiry of 23 November 2012.
Table 3.20: Number of suspensive vetoes and result of new voting
SUSPENSIVE VETO/YEAR 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Vetoes submitted 4 7 4 15 Law adopted after new voting 4 7 3 14 Law not adopted after new voting - - 1 1
Source: National Council of the Republic of Slovenia.
In the parliamentary term 2011-2014, the National Council passed a suspensive veto on 15 laws. After new voting, the National Assembly adopted 14 laws. One law was not adopted.
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4 THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND EU AFFAIRS
In accordance with Article 3a of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, the Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government regarding EU Affairs, and the provisions of the Rules of Procedure, the National Assembly participates in the formulation of and adopts the positions of the Republic of Slovenia on individual legal proposals that are discussed by EU in those areas which – given their subject matter – would have fallen within the competence of the National Assembly had Slovenia not transferred the exercise of part of its sovereign rights to EU institutions. At least once a year, it discusses the state of affairs in the EU and the position of the Republic of Slovenia therein, based on the introductory speech delivered by the President of the Government. The National Assembly also adopts positions on the political orientations regarding the functioning of the Republic of Slovenia within EU institutions in the future. According to the terminology used in the National Assembly, the above issues are referred to as the "U" affairs. Moreover, at the proposal of the Government or by its own initiative, the National Assembly also discusses other EU affairs (known as the "E" affairs), or takes note of documents forwarded by the Government that are relevant for the exercise of its constitutionally provided powers and relate to political and programme aspects of EU activities (known as the "S" affairs).
The parliamentary bodies primarily competent for the discussion of EU affairs are the Committee on EU Affairs and the Committee on Foreign Policy (the competent committees). The Committee on EU Affairs discusses all EU affairs with the exception of the EU foreign and security policy, which falls within the competence of the Committee on Foreign Policy. An important role in the discussion of EU affairs is also played by the working bodies responsible, which discuss the content of individual EU affairs and present their opinions and positions to the two competent working bodies.
Data on the EU affairs-related activities carried out at plenary sessions and meetings of the competent committees and of the working bodies responsible, as well as data on procedures to monitor compliance with the principle of subsidiarity conducted in this parliamentary term are presented below.
4.1 Deciding on EU affairs at plenary sessions of the National Assembly
In the parliamentary term 2011-2014, the National Assembly discussed one EU affair, namely the Draft Declaration on the Guidelines for the Functioning of the Republic of Slovenia within EU Institutions in the period January 2013 – June 2014 (11th regular session of 7 March 2013).
4.2 Activities of the working bodies competent for EU affairs
Table 4.1 presents data on the number and type of meetings of the two working bodies competent for EU affairs, as well as on the number of meetings at which EU affairs were discussed.
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Table 4.1: Meetings of the working bodies competent for EU affairs
COMPETENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE COMPETENT COMMITTEE 148 meetings held, of which 109 regular, 39 urgent and 0 Committee on EU Affairs correspondence meetings. EU affairs discussed at 140 meetings. 109 meetings held, of which 53 regular, 56 urgent and 0 Committee on Foreign Policy correspondence meetings. EU affairs discussed at 29 meetings.
Source: data provided by Secretaries of the competent committees.
4.3 Discussion of EU affairs at meetings of working bodies
Table 4.2 shows data regarding the activities of the two committees competent for EU affairs while Table 4.3 presents the work of the working bodies responsible in relation to individual EU affairs. Joint meetings of two working bodies are listed separately for each working body. The same applies to the number of EU affairs discussed.
Table 4.2: Data on the work of the working bodies competent for EU affairs
EU AFFAIRS
Referred NO. OF COMPETENT EU MEETINGS Discussed Discussed Discussed COMMITTEE affairs DEALING "U" "E" "S" Total EU ("U" and WITH EU affairs "E") AFFAIRS discussed
Committee on EU 140 276 212 33 194 439 Affairs Committee on 29 19 15 4 46 65 Foreign Policy TOTAL 169 295 227 37 240 504
Source: data provided by Secretaries of the competent committees.
Legend: "U" affairs EU affairs referred to in Art. 4(1) of the Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government regarding EU Affairs, and affairs discussed by a similar procedure as the "U" affairs pursuant to Art. 5 of the said Act "E" affairs EU affairs referred to in Art. 4(3) of the above Act. "S" affairs EU affairs referred to in Art. 8 of the above Act (informing and reporting by the Government) and other issues.
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Table 4.3: Activities of the working bodies responsible for individual EU affairs
EU AFFAIRS NO. OF Referred MEETINGS WORKING BODY EU DEALING Discussed Discussed Discussed RESPONSIBLE affairs WITH EU "U" "E" "S" Total EU ("U" and AFFAIRS affairs "E") discussed
Commission for the National Communities 1 1 1 - - 1 Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence 1 - - - - - and Security Services Committee on the Economy 27 31 23 8 - 31
Committee on Infrastructure and Spatial Planning 20 60 27 4 - 31 Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Food and 25 43 36 3 2 41 Environment Committee on Finance and Monetary Policy 40 68 61 7 - 68 Committee on Defence 3 3 1 1 - 2
Committee on Health 4 9 7 2 - 9
Committee on Education, Science, Sport and Youth 1 3 2 1 - 3 Committee on Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Disability 7 8 6 1 1 8 Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and 6 15 9 1 - 10 Local Self-Government Committee on Justice 8 22 10 2 - 12
Committee on Culture 2 2 1 1 - 2
Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Sport and 7 17 10 1 - 11 Youth** Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Local Self- 9 22 13 - 3 16 Government** Committee on the Interior** 6 10 7 - - 7
Joint Committee* 2 6 5 1 - 6
Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and 1 3 3 - - 3 Justice*
Total 170 323 222 33 6 261
Source: data provided by Secretaries of working bodies and databases of the National Assembly.
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Legend: "U" affairs EU affairs referred to in Art. 4(1) of the Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government regarding EU Affairs, and affairs discussed by a similar procedure as the "U" affairs pursuant to Art. 5 of the said Act "E" affairs EU affairs referred to in Art. 4(3) of the above Act. "S" affairs EU affairs referred to in Art. 8 of the above Act (informing and reporting by the Government) and other issues.
Notes: * The Joint Committee and the Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and Justice ceased to operate on 27 January 2012 following the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the Establishment and Tasks of National Assembly's Working Bodies adopted in 2011. ** The committees marked by two asterisks ceased to operate on 2 April 2013 following the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the establishment and tasks of the National Assembly working bodies adopted in 2013.
4.4 Monitoring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity
In the parliamentary term 2011–2014, two procedures for monitoring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity were carried out but are not included in the above tables.
In 2012, the procedure for monitoring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity was conducted in relation to the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for online uses in the internal market (COM(2012) 372 final). The procedure involved the Committee on EU Affairs and the Committee on the Economy.
In 2013, the procedure for monitoring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity was conducted in relation to the Proposal for a Council Regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (COM(2013) 534 final). The procedure involved the Committee on EU Affairs and the Committee on Justice.
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5 WORKING BODIES, COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY AND OTHER STRUCTURES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
This chapter presents the most relevant information regarding the working bodies, the commissions of inquiry and other structures of the National Assembly. Below are mainly general data on the establishment, composition and leadership of the said working structures as well as statistical and subject-related data about their work.
5.1 Working bodies
Below are some general and statistical data on the activities of the working bodies and on the leading functions therein.
5.1.1 General information
The National Assembly's working bodies are established to monitor the state of affairs in individual areas, to prepare policy decisions in such areas, to formulate positions on particular issues, and to discuss draft laws and other acts of the National Assembly. Working bodies are said "responsible" when they prepare proposals for National Assembly's decisions, or "concerned" when - depending on their field of work - they examine the proposed solutions and give proposals to the working body responsible.
There are two types of working bodies in the National Assembly: committees and commissions. As a general rule, committees are established to monitor the state of affairs and discuss issues in areas corresponding to those for which ministries are competent, or which cover several inter- related areas. Commissions are established to examine specific common issues or to examine individual matters. The commissions are either standing (and specified in the Rules of Procedure) or established ad hoc. Working bodies are established at the proposal of the Council of the President by the National Assembly, which also specifies its tasks. The Council decides on the number of seats in working bodies to be filled by individual deputy groups, and which deputy group is entitled to name the chairman or deputy chairman of an individual working body. Individual deputy groups appoint their members in the working bodies.
The changes in the composition of working bodies were due to changes of individual members that had been proposed by deputy groups, also considering the changed ratio between the coalition and the opposition, as well as to changes relating to the numerical representation in a given working body.
The composition of the working bodies reflects the composition of the National Assembly as a whole, with certain deviations in some cases. Examples of the latter include the two supervisory commissions and the Commission for the National Communities, where even at the beginning of the term coalition deputies did not have the majority.
At the beginning of the parliamentary term 2011–2014, the National Assembly had 22 working bodies in total: eight commissions and 14 committees. On 27 January 2012, the Joint Committee and the Committee in the Interior, Public Administration and Justice ceased to operate. On 2 April 2013, culture was excluded from the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Sport and Youth, and a separate Committee on Culture was established. The Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Local Self-Government and the Committee on the Interior were transformed into the Committee on Justice and the Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and Local
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Self-Government, respectively. Thus, at the end of the parliamentary term, there were 21 working bodies operating in the National Assembly: eight commissions and 13 committees.
Table 5.1 presents general data on the working bodies at the beginning and end of their operations: name, date of establishment, share of coalition and other deputies in the total number of members, as well as the information whether or not the Chair of the working body belongs to coalition parties. The tables refer to the foreseen number of members of individual working bodies, although in reality some bodies had vacancies and the total number of their members was lower.
Table 5.1: Composition and leadership of working bodies depending on whether the deputies belonged to the coalition or to the opposition - at the beginning and end of term
SHARE OF DATE OF COALITION WORKING CHAIR OTHER TOTAL ESTAB- COALITION DEPUTIES BODY LISHMENT (%) Beg. End Beg. End Beg. End Beg. End Beg. End Commissions set up pursuant to Art. 35 of the Rules of Procedure Commission for 21 Dec. Public Office and O C 10 9 9 8 52.6 52.9 19 17 2011 Elections Commission for the 28 Jan. O O 7 7 4 4 63.6 63.6 11 11 Rules of Procedure 2012 Commission for the 28 Jan. National O O 4 4 5 5 44.4 44.4 9 9 2012 Communities Commission for 28 Jan. Public Finance O O 4 4 5 5 44.4 44.4 9 9 2012 Control Commission for the Supervision of 28 Jan. O O 4 3 5 4 44.4 42.9 9 7 Intelligence and 2012 Security Services Commission for Relations with 28 Jan. Slovenes in C O 7 7 6 6 53.8 53.8 13 13 2012 Neighbouring and Other Countries OTHER
COMMISSIONS Commission for Petitions, Human 28 Jan. O O 4 4 3 3 57.1 57.1 7 7 Rights and Equal 2012 Opportunities Constitutional 19 Jan. C C 10 11 9 8 52.6 57.9 19 19 Commission 2012 COMMITTEES Committee on the 28 Jan. O C 9 10 6 7 60.0 58.8 15 17 Economy 2012 Committee on 28 Jan. Infrastructure and C C 9 10 6 7 60.0 58.8 15 17 2012 Spatial Planning Committee on 28 Jan. O O 10 9 7 6 58.8 60.0 17 15
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SHARE OF DATE OF COALITION WORKING CHAIR OTHER TOTAL ESTAB- COALITION DEPUTIES BODY LISHMENT (%) Beg. End Beg. End Beg. End Beg. End Beg. End Agriculture, Forestry, 2012 Food and Environment Committee on 21 Dec. Finance and C C 10 11 9 8 52.6 57.9 19 19 2011 Monetary Policy Committee on 28 Jan. C C 10 10 9 9 52.6 52.6 19 19 Foreign Policy 2012 Committee on 28 Jan. C C 8 8 5 7 61.5 53.3 13 15 Defence 2012 Committee on Health 28 Jan. O O 9 8 6 7 60.0 53.3 15 15 2012 Committee on 28 Mar. Education, Science, C C 9 9 8 8 52.9 52.9 17 17 2013 Sport and Youth Committee on Labour, Family, 28 Jan. C C 9 10 6 9 60.0 52.6 15 19 Social Affairs and 2012 Disability Committee on EU 21 Dec. O O 9 8 6 7 60.0 53.3 15 15 Affairs 2011 Committee on the Interior, Public 28 Mar. Administration and C C 10 9 7 8 58.8 52.9 17 17 2013 Local Self- Government Committee on Justice 28 Mar. O O 8 8 7 7 53.3 53.3 15 15 2013 Committee on 28 Mar. C C 8 8 7 7 53.3 53.3 15 15 Culture 2013 Joint Committee* 21 Dec. O O 9 9 8 8 52.9 52.9 17 17 2011 Committee on the Interior, Public 21 Dec. O O 10 10 9 9 52.6 52.6 19 19 Administration and 2011 Justice* Committee on Education, Science, 28 Jan. C C 11 11 8 8 57.9 57.9 19 19 Culture, Sport and 2012 Youth** Committee on Justice, Public 28 Jan. Administration and C C 10 10 9 9 52.6 52.6 19 19 2012 Local Self- Government** Committee on the 28 Jan. O O 9 9 6 6 60.0 60.0 15 15 Interior** 2012
Source: databases of the National Assembly.
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Legend: Beg. Beginning of activities. End End of activities. C Coalition deputies. O Deputies other than coalition deputies.
Notes: * The Joint Committee and the Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and Justice ceased to operate on 27 January 2012 following the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the Establishment and Tasks of National Assembly's Working Bodies adopted in 2011. ** The committees marked by two asterisks ceased to operate on 2 April 2013 following the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the establishment and tasks of the National Assembly working bodies adopted in 2013.
5.1.2 Activities of working bodies
Following is a presentation of the activities of the working bodies, namely: - number and type of meetings, - duration of meetings, - items, laws and other acts, and amendments discussed, - other activities.
Table 5.2: Activities of the working bodies (meetings)
MEETINGS
WORKING BODY Public Closed Cor- Dura- Held Total Urgent for the outside resp. tion entir par public the NA ely tly Commissions set up pursuant to Art. 35 of the Rules of Procedure Commission for Public Office 71 51 - 49 13 9 93:14 - and Elections Commission for the Rules of 8 2 - 8 - - 7:25 - Procedure Commission for the National 13 2 - 13 - - 22:04 - Communities Commission for Public 47 9 - 42 4 1 118:43 1 Finance Control Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence 34 15 - - 1 33 104:10 1 and Security Services Commission for Relations with Slovenes in 13 9 - 12 - 1 23:00 - Neighbouring and Other Countries
OTHER COMMISSIONS
Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal 34 19 1 34 - - 104:06 - Opportunities
Constitutional Commission 14 4 - 14 - - 33:17 -
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MEETINGS
WORKING BODY Public Closed Cor- Dura- Held Total Urgent for the outside resp. tion entir par public the NA ely tly
COMMITTEES
Committee on the Economy 67 54 - 59 2 6 145:22 1
Committee on Infrastructure 57 40 - 53 2 2 149:19 5 and Spatial Planning Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Food and 82 44 - 79 - 3 195:06 5 Environment Committee on Finance and 118 93 - 104 8 6 323:42 - Monetary Policy
Committee on Foreign Policy 109 56 - 57 16 36 206:42 -
Committee on Defence 33 23 - 27 2 4 66:57 -
Committee on Health 31 22 - 30 - 1 79:45 4
Committee on Education, 24 14 - 23 - 1 47:42 2 Science, Sport and Youth Committee on Labour, Family, Social Affairs and 53 26 - 52 - 1 127:48 1 Disability
Committee on EU Affairs 148 39 - 106 29 13 220:57 -
Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and 34 23 - 33 - 1 81:51 - Local Self-Government
Committee on Justice 27 19 - 26 - 1 58:57 -
Committee on Culture 24 14 - 23 - 1 75:04 -
Committees that ceased to operate Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Sport and 30 23 - 28 - 2 58:53 - Youth** Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Local 28 20 - 26 - 2 51:35 - Self-Government**
Committee on the Interior** 20 10 - 19 - 1 45:39 -
Joint Committee* 3 3 - 1 2 - 5:25 -
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MEETINGS
WORKING BODY Public Closed Cor- Dura- Held Total Urgent for the outside resp. tion entir par public the NA ely tly Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and 4 4 - 4 - - 4:56 - Justice*
TOTAL 1126 638 1 922 79 125 2451:39 20
Source: data provided by Secretaries of working bodies and databases of the National Assembly.
Notes: * and ** See Notes under Table 5.1
Joint meetings held by two working bodies together are listed separately for each working body (Table 5.3). Account is taken also of meetings that had been started in this term but were not completed.
Diagram 5.1: Number of meetings of working bodies
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
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Diagram 5.2: Total duration of meetings (in hrs)
336:00
288:00
240:00
192:00
144:00
96:00
48:00
0:00
49
Diagram 5.3: Number of agenda items
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Table 5.3: Activities of the working bodies (laws)
WORKING BODY WBR WBC REG URG SHR DEP
Commissions set up pursuant to Art. 35 of the Rules of
Procedure Commission for Public Office and Elections 4 2 2 1 - 2 Commission for the Rules of Procedure ------Commission for the National Communities 1 - 1 3 - - Commission for Public Finance Control 1 - 1 - 1 - Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence and Security 6 - 6 3 - - Services
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WORKING BODY WBR WBC REG URG SHR DEP
Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighbouring ------and Other Countries OTHER COMMISSIONS Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal 1 - 1 - - - Opportunities Constitutional Commission ------COMMITTEES Committee on the Economy 25 24 1 4 12 9 Committee on Infrastructure and Spatial Planning 25 25 - 7 10 10 Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment 26 25 1 6 7 13 Committee on Finance and Monetary Policy 89 87 2 26 35 28 Committee on Foreign Policy 60 58 2 - 92 - Committee on Defence 1 1 - 1 - - Committee on Health 12 8 4 5 3 2 Committee on Education, Science, Sport and Youth 10 7 3 3 2 2 Committee on Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Disability 37 36 1 13 5 18 Committee on EU Affairs ------Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and Local 10 10 - 5 2 3 Self-Government Committee on Justice 15 15 - 6 4 5 Committee on Culture 11 8 3 5 - 3 Committees that ceased to operate Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Sport and 11 10 1 5 3 3 Youth** Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Local 17 16 1 3 3 11 Self-Government** Committee on the Interior** 5 5 - 3 - 2 Joint Committee* 2 2 - - 2 - Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and 1 1 - - - 1 Justice* TOTAL 370 340 30 99 181 112
Source: data provided by Secretaries of working bodies.
Legend: DEP No. of laws tabled by deputies REG No. of laws discussed by working body by the regular procedure URG No. of laws discussed by working body by the urgent procedure SHR No. of laws discussed by working body by the shortened procedure
Notes: * and ** See Notes under Table 5.1
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Table 5.4: Activities of the working bodies – amendments
Amendments in urgent and shortened Harmo- Amend- Amend- procedures Amend- nising WORKING BODY ments ments and in the ments to amend- WBR WBC procedure for laws ments ratification of treaties
Commissions set up pursuant to
Art. 35 of the Rules of Procedure Commission for Public Office and - - - - - Elections Commission for the Rules of 2 - 2 - 1 Procedure Commission for the National 3 - - - 2 Communities Commission for Public Finance - - - - - Control Commission for the Supervision of - - - - - Intelligence and Security Services Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighbouring and Other - - - - - Countries OTHER COMMISSIONS Commission for Petitions, Human - - - - - Rights and Equal Opportunities Constitutional Commission - - - - - COMMITTEES Committee on the Economy 14 - 7 - 4 Committee on Infrastructure and 118 - 54 - 15 Spatial Planning Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, 38 - 16 - 11 Food and Environment Committee on Finance and Monetary 36 - 26 - 2 Policy Committee on Foreign Policy 66 - 55 - 1 Committee on Defence 1 - 1 - - Committee on Health 21 - - - 16 Committee on Education, Science, 8 - - 3 7 Sport and Youth Committee on Labour, Family, Social 103 - 24 - 1 Affairs and Disability Committee on EU Affairs 16 - - - - Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and Local Self- 26 - 13 - 2 Government Committee on Justice 57 - 41 - 9 Committee on Culture 7 - - - 21 Committees that ceased to operate Committee on Education, Science, 1 - - - -
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Amendments in urgent and shortened Harmo- Amend- Amend- procedures Amend- nising WORKING BODY ments ments and in the ments to amend- WBR WBC procedure for laws ments ratification of treaties
Culture, Sport and Youth** Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Local Self- 2 - - - - Government** Committee on the Interior** 11 - 8 - - Joint Committee* 2 - 1 - 1 Committee on the Interior, Public 30 - - - - Administration and Justice* TOTAL 562 - 248 3 93
Source: Databases of the National Assembly and data provided by secretaries of working bodies.
Note: * and ** See Notes under Table 5.1
5.1.3 Subcommittees
No subcommittee was established in this term.
5.2 Commissions of inquiry
Pursuant to Article 93 of the Constitution, the National Assembly may order inquiries into matters of public importance. Parliamentary inquiry is regulated by the Parliamentary Inquiry Act (Official Gazette of RS No. 63/93, with amendments: Official Gazette of RS No. 63/1994-KZ (70/1994 corrig.), 59/2000, 55/2011 CC decision: U-I-50/11-20) and the Rules of Procedure on Parliamentary Inquiry (Official Gazette of RS No. 63/93, with amendments: Official Gazette of RS No. 4/1999, 59/2000, 33/2003, 55/2011 CC decision: U-I-50/11-20). A general provision on parliamentary inquiry is also contained in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (Article 2).
The National Assembly must order a parliamentary inquiry if so required by a third of the deputies or by the National Council. The subject and scope of inquiry are defined by the decision establishing the commission and initiating the inquiry. The commission conducts the inquiry on behalf of the National Assembly.
5.2.1 Inquiries ordered, composition and work of the commissions of inquiry
Three parliamentary inquiries into matters of public importance were ordered in the parliamentary term 2011-2014.
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Table 5.5: Ordered inquiries into matters of public importance, appointment and composition of the commissions of inquiry
COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY CI1 CI2 CI3 Commission of Commission of Commission of Inquiry for Inquiry for Inquiry Krpan Determining and Determining Assessing the Abuses in the Activities of Slovenian Extremist Groups Banking System Date of ordering parliamentary inquiry Ordered on: Ordered on: Ordered on: and indication of the OG RS 31 Jan. 2013 1 Feb. 2013 25 Sep. 2013 OG RS No. 11/13 OG RS No. 12/13 OG RS No. 80/13 Established /appointed on 7 Feb. 2013 7 Feb. 2013 24 Oct. 2013 No. of members and affiliation with m: a: m: a: m: a: deputy groups at the time of establishment and appointment PS 1 1 1 1 1 1 SDS 1 1 1 1 1 1 SD 1 1 1 1 1 1 DL 1 1 1 1 1 1 SLS 1 1 1 - - - DeSUS 1 1 1 1 1 1 NSi 1 1 1 1 - - NC ------UDs ------UD ------No. of expert advisers (Art. 7(2) of the - - - RoP on Parl. Inquiry) No. of members and affiliation with m: a: m: a: m: a: deputy groups at the end of 2014 PS 2 1 1 1 1 1 SDS - - 1 1 1 1 SD 2 - 1 1 1 1 DL 2 - 1 1 1 1 SLS - - 1 - - - DeSUS 2 - 1 1 1 1 NSi - - 1 1 - - NC ------ZaAB 2 - 1 - 1 - UD ------Changes in composition 8 6 2 2 1 - Of which based on Art. 3 of the - - - - Parliamentary Inquiry Act No. of expert advisers (Art. 7(2) of the 1 1 1 RoP on Parl. Inquiry) Date of first meeting 12 Apr.2013 14 May 2013 11 Dec. 2013 Date of last meeting in 2014 2 July 2014 4 July 2014 12 June 2014 Source: Secretaries of the commissions of inquiry, August 2014.
Legend: - UD - unaffiliated deputies - m: members - a: alternates - RoP on Parl. Inquiry: Rules of Procedure on Parliamentary Inquiry
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- PIA Parliamentary Inquiry Act
Table 5.6: Activity of the commissions of inquiry in 2011–2014
CI1 CI2 CI3 COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY Commission Commission Commission of Inquiry for of Inquiry for of Inquiry Determining Determining Krpan and Abuses in the Assessing the Slovenian Activities of Banking Extremist System Groups CI meetings: No. of meetings, 11 36 8 - total duration of meetings (hrs:min) 39/07 85/22 13/24 - No. of preparatory inquiry actions outside NA (Art. - - - 13/2 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry) No. of decisions on the conduct of preparatory 2+2 suppl.* 1+2 1+3 inquiry actions: - No. of requests concerning the Decision in acc. with - - - Art. 12/2 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry, - No. of rejected implementations of Art. 14 of Parl. - 5 (sent 2x) - Inquiry Act, - No. of cases of forced acquisition of evidence through court, - - - - No. of authorised persons (Art. 14/1 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry). Definition of the person subject to inquiry (Art. 7 of - - - the Parl. Inquiry Act) - No. of persons subject to inquiry. Order for evidence: 3+1** 1+3 1+1 - No. of requests concerning the Order in acc. with Art. 1 - - 12/2 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry, - No. of amendments to the Order for evidence (Art. 1 3 1 6/2 of the Parl. Inquiry Act) - No. of annulments of the adopted Order 1 - - Witnesses: - No. of witnesses appointed by Order for evidence, 52 (30)*** 53 22 - No. of examinations carried out, 7 40 3 - No. of re-examined witnesses - - - No. of visits outside NA premises (Art. 13/2 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry). - - - Experts: - No. of experts, - - - - hours of work by expert. - - - Measures of constraint (Art. 13/4. of the Parl. Inquiry 1**** Act) (production of witness, fees, house/personal - 5***** - search, seizure). Interim reports: No. of interim reports adopted on commission (Art. 1 1 - 22/3 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry), - No. of interim reports adopted at NA session, 1 - - - report adopted based on Art. 23/1 of the RoP on - - 1 Parl. Inquiry Final report: draft final report (Art. 22/1 of RoP on Parl. Inquiry) - - -
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CI1 CI2 CI3 COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY Commission Commission Commission of Inquiry for of Inquiry for of Inquiry Determining Determining Krpan and Abuses in the Assessing the Slovenian Activities of Banking Extremist System Groups - final report adopted by CI - final report discussed at NA session ------Parliamentary inquiry concluded on (Art. 23/2 of - - - RoP on Parl. Inquiry).5
Source: Secretaries of the commissions of inquiry, August 2014.
Notes: * The first Order for evidence was supplemented twice. ** The last (third) Order for evidence annulled the second Order in its entirely, with the exception of the hearing of one witness. The supplement refers to the first Order. *** The last Order for evidence annulled the previous Order and thus also the hearings of 22 out of 23 witnesses. One witness had already been heard based on the later annulled Order. So, only 30 witnesses were eventually selected (instead of 52). **** Proposal to bring the witnesses in forcibly (the court issued such decision but it was not effectively implemented). ***** The request for five entities to present documents was reissued after being denied by the court; the court has not yet decided thereon.
5.3 Other structures of the National Assembly
Other structures of the National Assembly include parliamentary friendship groups, permanent delegations to international parliamentary institutions, and the GLOBE Slovenia parliamentary group. Data relating to international parliamentary institutions and parliamentary friendship groups are indicated in the chapter on National Assembly's international activity. Here, only information regarding the GLOBE Slovenia parliamentary group is provided.
Parliamentary group GLOBE Slovenia6
The GLOBE (Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment) group has been operating in the National Assembly since 1998. In the parliamentary term 2000-2004, it was renamed to Parliamentary group GLOBE Slovenia (hereinafter: GLOBE Slovenia). It is operating in the area of environment protection and sustainable development.
GLOBE Slovenia is composed of deputies of the National Assembly and members of the National Council. The group has a Chair and a Deputy Chair and a number of members; it is headed by the Executive Committee. In the parliamentary term 2011-2014, GLOBE Slovenia was set up on 11 October 2012. Alenka Jeraj was elected Chair and Alenka Pavlič Deputy Chair. A 12-member Executive Committee was also appointed. Later on, the office of second Deputy Chair was taken by Janvit Golob from the National Council who also became (the 13th) member of the Executive Committee. At the end of parliamentary term, GLOBE Slovenia counted 17 members. Among the members, there were other two representatives of the National Council (in addition to Janvit Golob)
5 The work of all Commissions of Inquiry terminated with the end of the parliamentary term. 6 Taken from National Assembly's databases and information provided by the clerk of the GLOBE parliamentary group. 56 as well as two former deputies, namely the former Chair and Deputy Chair of GLOBE Slovenia who may serve as members in the next term but have no voting rights.
GLOBE Slovenia operates in accordance with its rules of procedure and the schedule of work adopted by the Executive Committee at its 3rd meeting of 10 April 2013.
The table below shows the overall activity of GLOBE Slovenia.
Table 5.7: Activity of GLOBE Slovenia
TYPE OF No. of meetings Topics MEETINGS Regular 2 5 agenda items discussed. meetings Meetings of 7 Executive (one entirely, one Committee partly 26 agenda items discussed. correspondence meeting) Topics: - RIO + 20 and Slovenia's responses (19 April 2013); - How green are our priorities in 2014–2020 (14 June 4 Consultations 2013); (numerously - Natura 2000 as a challenge and an opportunity (7 attended) November 2013); - Water management and measures to prevent floods and negative impacts of droughts (17 April 2014).
Source: databases of the National Assembly.
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6 DEPUTY GROUPS AND UNAFFILIATED DEPUTIES
6.1. Some characteristics of deputy groups
6.1.1. Structure of deputies by sex, age, education and other indicators, by deputy group
Table 6.1: Structure by sex
Female deputies Male deputies YEAR 2011 2014 2011 2014 PS No. % No. % No. % No. % PS 12 41 10 32 16 26 4 7 SDS 7 24 6 19 19 31 20 34 SD 2 7 3 10 8 13 7 12 DL 4 14 3 10 4 7 4 7 SLS - - 1 3 6 10 5 8 DeSUS 2 7 3 10 4 7 2 3 NSi 2 7 2 6 2 3 2 3 NC - - - - 2 3 2 3 UDs ------ZaAB - - 3 10 - - 7 12 UD ------6 10 TOTAL 29 100 31 100 61 100 59 100
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, services.
Table 6.2: Age structure by deputy group
PS Under 30 30-39 yrs 40-49 yrs 50- 59 yrs 60-69 yrs 70 and above TOTAL No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % PS 2011 - - 5 18 10 36 8 29 5 18 - - 28 100 2014 - - 4 29 4 29 3 21 3 21 - - 14 100 SDS 2011 1 4 5 19 7 27 12 46 1 4 - - 26 100 2014 2 8 3 11 6 23 13 50 2 8 - - 26 100 SD 2011 - - 1 10 3 30 3 30 3 30 - - 10 100 2014 - - 1 10 2 20 4 40 2 20 1 10 10 100 DL 2011 - - 2 25 3 37 2 25 1 12 - - 8 100 2014 2 29 4 57 - - 1 14 - - 7 100 SLS 2011 - - - - 2 33 3 50 1 17 - - 6 100 2014 1 17 - - - - 4 67 1 17 6 100 DeSUS 2011 - - - - 2 33 3 50 1 17 - - 6 100 2014 ------2 40 2 40 1 20 5 100
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PS Under 30 30-39 yrs 40-49 yrs 50- 59 yrs 60-69 yrs 70 and above TOTAL
NSi 1 25 1 25 - - 2 50 - - - - 4 100 2011 - - 1 25 1 25 2 50 - - - - 4 100 2014
NC 2011 ------2 100 - - - - 2 100 2014 ------1 50 1 50 - - 2 100 UDs 2011 ------100 2014 ------100 ZaAB 2011 ------2014 - - 1 10 3 30 2 20 4 40 - - 10 100 UD 2011 ------2014 - - - - 3 50 2 33 1 17 - - 6 100 TOTAL 2011 2 2 14 16 27 30 35 39 12 13 - - 90 100 2014 3 3 12 13 23 26 33 37 17 19 2 2 90 100
Source: databases of the National Assembly and Commission for Public Office and Elections (services).
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Table 6.3: Educational structure of deputies by deputy group
PS Level Level Level Level Level Level TOTAL YEAR 1-3 4-5 6/1 6/2 - 7 8/1 8/2 No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % PS 2011 - - 3 11 3 11 16 57 6 21 - - 28 100 2014 - - 1 7 3 21 6 42 4 29 - - 14 100 SDS 2011 - - 6 23 - - 14 54 5 19 1 4 26 100 2014 - - 6 23 - - 13 50 6 23 1 4 26 100 SD 2011 - - 3 30 1 10 3 30 2 20 1 10 10 100 2014 - - 3 30 1 10 3 30 1 10 2 20 10 100 DL 2011 ------4 50 3 37 1 12 8 100 2014 ------6 86 1 14 - - 7 100 SLS 2011 - - 1 17 2 33 2 33 1 17 - - 6 100 2014 - - 2 33 1 17 3 50 - - - - 6 100 DeSUS 2011 - - - - 2 33 3 50 1 17 - - 6 100 2014 - - 1 20 2 40 1 20 1 20 - - 5 100 NSi 2011 ------3 75 1 25 - - 4 100 2014 ------3 75 1 25 - - 4 NC 2011 - - 1 50 ------1 50 2 100 2014 - - 1 50 ------1 50 2 100 UDs 2011 ------2014 ------ZaAB 2011 ------2014 - - 2 20 2 20 5 50 1 10 10 100 UD 2011 ------100 2014 ------5 83 1 17 - - 6 100 TOTAL 2011 - - 14 16 8 9 45 50 19 21 4 4 90 100 2014 - - 16 18 9 10 45 50 15 17 5 6 90 100
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, services.
Legend: Level 1: Primary school - unfinished Level 2: Primary school - finished Level 3: Short cycle education - Vocational training Level 4: Vocational school (3 years) Level 5: Secondary school (4 years) Level 6/1: Higher education programmes (until 1994) and professional higher education programmes Level 6/2: Specialisation upon completion of higher education programmes or professional study programmes (1st Bologna Cycle) and professional study programmes or university programmes (1st Bologna Cycle) Level 7: Specialisation upon completion of professional study programmes and university programmes or masters' study programmes (academic title) 2nd Bologna Cycle
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Level 8/1: Specialisation upon completion of university programmes or Masters' degrees in science (academic title before the name) Level 8/2: Doctor of science programmes (before the name) or Doctor of science programmes (before the name) 3rd Bologna Cycle
Table 6.4: Number of re-elected deputies
% of total PS PS SDS SD DL SLS DeSUS NSi NS UDs ZaAB UD TOTAL deputies 2011 5 15 8 - 5 1 - 2 - - - 36 40 2014 2 14 8 - 3 1 - 2 - 2 1 33 37
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections, services.
Note: Data are compared with the previous term.
6.2 Activities of deputy groups
The following chapter presents the activities of deputies by deputy groups at regular and extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly, the number of proposed and adopted laws and amendments, and the number of parliamentary questions and motions.
6.2.1 Deputy groups at sessions of the National Assembly
Table 6.5: Activities of the deputies at regular sessions of the National Assembly
ON DEPUTY NO. OF NO. OF BEHALF PROCEDURAL TOTAL GROUP DEBATES REPLIES OF DG PS 1278 67 389 193 1927 SDS 1792 142 536 279 2749 SD 976 75 395 149 1595 DL 320 16 289 19 644 SLS 332 10 337 50 729 DeSUS 152 7 275 3 437 NSi 384 13 325 32 754 NC 40 2 25 - 67 ZaAB 3 - 13 - 16 UD 1 131 - 4 5 140 UD 2 11 1 - - 12 UD 3 68 - - - 68 UD 4 - - - - - UD 5 - - - - - UD 6 - - - - -
Source: Databases of the National Assembly, databases of the Research and Documentation Sector, 29 August 2014.
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Table 6.6: Activities of the deputies at extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly
ON DEPUTY NO. OF NO. OF BEHALF PROCEDURAL TOTAL GROUP DEBATES REPLIES OF DG PS 584 54 177 101 916 SDS 1010 49 342 164 1565 SD 548 65 199 130 942 DL 156 13 156 7 332 SLS 229 3 195 27 454 DESUS 99 6 145 6 256 NSi 178 5 182 13 378 NC 9 - 22 3 34 ZaAB 11 1 22 2 36 UD 1 74 - 4 - 78 UD 2 11 - - - 11 UD 3 14 - - - 14 UD 4 - - - - - UD 5 - - - - - UD 6 4 - - - 4
Source: Databases of the National Assembly, databases of the Research and Documentation Sector, 29 August 2014.
The data from Tables 6.5 and 6.6 (column Total) for regular and extraordinary sessions are presented in Diagram 6.1.
Diagram 6.1: Total number of activities of the deputies by deputy group at regular and extraordinary sessions
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Table 6.7: Adjournments by deputy group
DEPUTY GROUP REGULAR SESSIONS EXTRAORDINARY TOTAL SESSIONS At request of: PS 11 9 20 SDS 2 10 12 SD 5 2 7 DL - - - SLS - - - DeSUS - - - NSi - 1 1 NC - - - UDs - - - ZaAB - - - UD7 - - - TOTAL 18 22 40
Source: Data provided by the Secretariat of the National Assembly.
Diagram 6.2.: Ratio between requests for adjournment by deputy group
7 Data for all 6 unaffiliated deputies are presented together. 63
Table 6.8: Obstructions by deputy group
REGULAR EXTRAORDINARY DEPUTY GROUP TOTAL SESSIONS SESSIONS At request of: PS 6 26 32 SDS 1 6 7 SD 1 - 1 DL - - - SLS 2 2 4 DeSUS - - - NSi 1 3 4 NC - - - UDs - - - ZaAB - - - UD8 - - - TOTAL 11 37 48
Source: Data provided by the Secretariat of the National Assembly.
6.2.2 Draft and adopted laws by deputy group
Table 6.9: Number of draft and adopted laws by deputy group
DEPUTY DRAFT ADOPTED GROUP* LAWS LAWS 2011-2012 2013 2014 TOTAL 2011-2012 2013 2014 TOTAL
PS 6 8 2 16 1 4 2 7
SDS 2 4 11 17 2 1 2 5 SD 10 1 1 12 1 - 1 2 DL 3 10 2 15 2 2 1 5 SLS - 3 1 4 - - 1 1 DESUS 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 NSi 1 5 2 8 - - 1 1 NC ------ZaAB - - 2 2 - - - - UD - - 2 2 - - - - TOTAL 23 31 23 77 7 7 8 22
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 2 September 2014.
8 Data for all 6 unaffiliated deputies are presented together. 64
6.2.3 Draft amendments by deputy group
Table 6.10 indicates the number of amendments tabled to laws and acts by one or more individual deputies. Table 6.11 indicates the number of amendments tabled to laws and acts by one or more deputy groups.
Table 6.10: Number of draft amendments to acts and laws by proposer (individual deputies)
DEPUTY D FS TOTAL GROUP 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 PS 17 7 134 8 - - 166 SDS 5 - - - - - 5 SD 2 4 2 1 - - 9 DL ------SLS ------DeSUS - - 7 - - - 7 NSi - 4 - 1 - - 5 NC - - - 1 - - 1 ZaAB ------UD 1 3 - - - - - 3 UD 2 ------UD 3 ------UD 4 ------UD 5 ------UD 6 ------TOTAL 27 15 143 11 - - 196
Source: databases of the National Assembly, September 2014.
Legend: D Proposed by a deputy. FS Proposed by the first-signed person from the deputy group.
Note: 2011 saw no amendment tabled by individual deputies.
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Table 6.11: Number of draft amendments to acts and laws by proposer - deputy groups
WITH OTHER DGs ALONE FIRST-SIGNED NOT FIRST-SIGNED 2011 2011 2011 and 2013 2014 Total and 2013 2014 Total and 2013 2014 Total 2012 2012 2012 PS 145 39 26 210 14 1155 490 1659 3 3 - 6
SDS 7 454 241 702 1507 377 2 1886 - 12 1 13
SD 297 61 30 388 1 1 2 4 10 1083 472 1565
DL 4 21 34 59 - 5 - 5 1310 1290 488 3088
SLS - 82 13 95 - - 5 5 1342 356 7 1705
DeSUS 9 12 4 25 1 5 - 6 1290 1341 488 3119
NSi - 145 17 162 - 10 3 13 1311 379 6 1696 NC - 27 - 27 - - - - 2 - - 2 UDs ------ZaAB - - 10 10 ------NeP9 ------
TOTAL 462 841 375 1678 1523 1553 502 3578 5268 4464 1462 11194
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 31 July 2014.
Note: * The column alone indicates the number of draft amendments tabled by a single deputy group, while the columns first-signed and not first-signed indicate the number of draft amendments tabled by at least two deputy groups. The column first-signed shows the number of amendments in the tabling of which an individual deputy group was first signed on the list, whereas the column not first-signed shows the number of amendments in the tabling of which the individual deputy group was not first-signed.
9 Data for all 6 unaffiliated deputies are presented together. 66
Diagram 6.3: Total number of draft amendments to acts and laws by proposer - deputy groups
6.2.4 Parliamentary questions and motions by deputy group
Table 6.12 indicates the number of posed and unanswered parliamentary questions per deputy group.
Methodological explanation: If the same parliamentary question or motion was tabled by several deputies, it is considered as one question. If the same parliamentary question or motion is addressed to several addressees (the Government or ministry), it is indicated in the table for each addressee as a request for an independent answer. If no answer to the parliamentary question/motion tabled by several deputies was submitted by one of the addressees, this addressee is shown under the heading of unanswered parliamentary questions.
Table 6.12: Number of posed parliamentary questions and motions by deputy group by year PS 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL P U P U P U P U PS 286 - 119 - 29 - 434 - SDS 51 - 380 - 409 29 840 29 SD 193 - 111 - 39 4 343 4 DL 28 - 30 - 18 1 76 1 SLS 22 - 58 - 29 1 109 1 DeSUS 24 - 18 - 5 - 47 - NSi 19 - 52 - 30 2 101 2 NC 27 - 17 - 7 - 51 - UDs ------ZaAB ------UD 8 - 39 - 15 - 62 TOTAL 658 - 824 - 581 37 2063 37
Source: databases of the National Assembly and data provided by the administrator of the Parliamentary questions and motions database.
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Legend: P - posed parliamentary questions or motions U - unanswered parliamentary questions or motions
Diagram 6.5 shows the share (%) of parliamentary questions and motions by deputy group.
Diagram 6.5: Share of posed parliamentary questions and motions by deputy group
6.3 Deputy groups, working bodies and permanent delegations
Table 6.13 shows the number of deputy groups' requests to call urgent working body meetings. It indicates the number of meetings called and held at the request of deputy groups, as well as the information which deputy groups filed such requests. In certain cases, the calling of the same urgent meeting was requested by several deputy groups and therefore the total number of urgent meetings does not correspond to the total number of requests filed. The number of requests filed is also indicated in such cases when urgent meetings were not called.
Table 6.13: Requests filed by deputy groups to call urgent working body meetings
No. DEPUTY GROUP of WORKING BODY PS SDS SD DL SLS DeS Nsi NC UDs ZaA UD urg. US B sess. Commissions set up pursuant to Article 35 of the Rules of Procedure Commission for Public 1 - 1 ------Office and Elections Commission for the Rules ------of Procedure
Commission for the ------68
No. DEPUTY GROUP of WORKING BODY PS SDS SD DL SLS DeS Nsi NC UDs ZaA UD urg. US B sess. National Communities Commission for Public 6 1 4 2 ------Finance Control Commission for the ------Supervision of Intelligence and Security Services Commission for Relations ------with Slovenes in Neighbouring and Other Countries Other commissions ------Commission for Petitions, 4 - 4 - 1 1 1 1 - - - - Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Constitutional ------Commission Committees ------Committee on the 18 3 5 4 1 2 1 2 - - - - Economy Committee on 10 4 3 4 2 1 1 - - - - - Infrastructure and Spatial Planning Committee on 10 3 1 2 2 4 - 3 - - - - Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environment Committee on Finance 17 6 4 7 5 3 3 1 - - - - and Monetary Policy Committee on Foreign 4 1 3 ------Policy Committee on Defence 3 - 3 ------Committee on Health 6 2 2 - - 1 - 1 - - - - Committee on Education, 3 - 3 1 ------Science, Sport and Youth Committee on Labour, 7 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 - - - - Family, Social Affairs and Disability Committee on EU Affairs 4 2 1 1 1 1 - 2 - - - - Committee on the 3 - 1 - 1 1 ------Interior, Public Administration and Local Self-Government Committee on Justice ------Committee on Culture 4 - 4 ------Committees that ceased to operate Committee on Education, 6 - 1 5 ------Science, Culture, Sport and Youth**
Committee on Justice, ------
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No. DEPUTY GROUP of WORKING BODY PS SDS SD DL SLS DeS Nsi NC UDs ZaA UD urg. US B sess. Public Administration and Local Self-Government** Committee on the 2 2 ------Interior** Joint Committee* ------Committee on the ------Interior, Public Administration and Justice* TOTAL 108 25 42 29 14 15 7 11 - - - -
Source: data provided by Secretaries of working bodies, 20 September 2014.
* The Joint Committee and the Committee on the Interior, Public Administration and Justice ceased to operate on 27 January 2012 following the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the Establishment and Tasks of National Assembly's Working Bodies adopted in 2011.
** The Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Sport and Youth, the Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Self-Government, and the Committee on the Interior ceased to operate on 2 April 2013 following the Ordinance amending the Ordinance on the Establishment and Tasks of National Assembly's Working Bodies adopted in 2013.
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7 THE COUNCIL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The Council of the President of the National Assembly is the consultative body of the President. In cases provided by the Rules of Procedure, the Council is also competent for decision-making. The Council consists of the President and Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly, the leaders of the deputy groups, and the deputies of the national communities. The Secretary General of the National Assembly and the Head of the Legislative and Legal Service of the National Assembly participate in the work of the Council; the chairmen of the working bodies, the representatives of the Government, specialised staff members of the National Assembly, and other persons may also participate. The meetings of the Council are open to the public.
The President of the National Assembly calls a meeting of the Council to consult on the notifications of the convening of sessions and draft agendas of sessions of the National Assembly, on other issues related to the work of the National Assembly and its working bodies, on the fulfilment of the conditions to form new deputy groups, on the conditions for the work of deputy groups, as well as on other issues where so provided by the Rules of Procedure (Article 22). The Council adopts the annual work programme of the National Assembly and the time schedule for at least two months (Article 23 of the Rules of Procedure).
Table 7.1: Number of meetings held by the Council of the President of the National Assembly
ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL OF THE COUNCIL Meetings _ 38 39 28 105
Source: databases of the National Assembly, 10 September 2014.
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8 INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY
International activities comprise: cooperation of the National Assembly with representative bodies of other countries, international parliamentary institutions, international organisations, international bodies, Slovenia's missions abroad, organisations of Slovene national minorities and organisations of Slovene expatriates, cooperation of the deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities with the Italian and Hungarian parliaments, with their mother nations and minority institutions, and participation of the deputies of the National Assembly at other events held abroad. International activities are regulated by the Rules on the International Activity of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly carries out its international activities in the form of bilateral cooperation with parliaments of other countries, multilateral cooperation at meetings of international parliamentary institutions and organisations, and participation of deputies at conferences, meetings and other events. The international activities are carried out at the level of the President of the National Assembly, the working bodies, parliamentary friendship groups, and deputies.
Furthermore, the National Assembly's Services were actively involved in programmes providing assistance to the parliaments of the countries of the Western Balkans, aimed primarily at strengthening their administrative capacity and providing technical support to parliamentary work.
8.1 Multilateral activities
Table 8.1: Permanent delegations of the national Assembly
INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS Head PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF Romana Tomc EUROPE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY Branko Grims NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY Melita Župevc INTERPARLIAMENTARY UNION Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN Andreja Črnak Meglič (until 31 December 2012) CEI PARLIAMENTARY DIMENSION Jožef Kunič EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY Samo Bevk PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SOUTH-EAST Renata Brunskole EUROPEAN COOPERATION PROCESS (since 10 May 2014)
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
8.1.1 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is the parliamentary body of the Council of Europe established in 1949 as the first European assembly in the history of the continent, and is the broadest organisation of this kind. Despite being above all a consultative
72 body, PACE plays an important role in the conduct of the Council's activities and defines their impact on the member countries.
Slovenia joined the Council of Europe on 14 May 1993. The deputies of the National Assembly began to participate in the work of PACE in 1992, after the Extended Bureau of PACE at the 43rd session that had started on 3 February 1992 decided to grant Slovenia the status of special guest to PACE. The Slovenian deputies were confirmed full-fledged members of PACE in June 1993.
The annual sessions of PACE are divided into four parts: winter (January), spring (April), summer (June) and autumn (September/October). The sessions are held in Strasbourg and usually last one week. The meetings of the Standing Committee (comprising the Heads of permanent delegations) take place in March, May and November. Throughout the year, there are also meetings of individual committees, either in Strasbourg (during PACE sessions), Paris, or other member country.
The members of National Assembly's delegation were members of the following political groups: - Group of the European People's Party (Romana Tomc, Jakob Presečnik, Iva Dimic), - Socialist Group (Andreja Črnak Meglič), - Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (Polonca Komar, Roman Jakič/Barbara Žgajner/Aleksandra Osterman).
The delegation agreed that its members would sit on the following committees:
- Romana Tomc: Standing Committee (member), Political Affairs and Democracy (member), Legal Affairs and Human Rights (alternate member), Equality and Non-Discrimination (alternate member). In 2014, she was also Vice-President of PACE (until the termination of her office as deputy of the National Assembly and thus member of its Delegation to PACE); - Roman Jakič and his successors Barbara Žgajner and Aleksandra Osterman: Legal Affairs and Human Rights (members), Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons (alternate members), Standing Committee (alternate members); - Jakob Presečnik: Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development (alternate member); - Andreja Črnak Meglič: Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development (member), Equality and Non-Discrimination (member); - Polonca Komar: Culture, Science, Education and Media (member), in 2014 Deputy Chair of the Sub-Committee on Education, Youth and Sport; - Iva Dimic: Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons (member), Culture, Science, Education and Media (alternate member).
In 2012, Andreja Črnak Meglič was appointed national representative to the network of contact parliamentarians to participate in two PACE campaigns: - Combating domestic violence against women - Combating sexual violence against children.
Table 8.2: Activities of the National Assembly Delegation to PACE
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Assembly sessions - 4 4 3 11 Committee meetings - 16 6 3 25 Other - 6 6 1 13 TOTAL - 26 16 7 49
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
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8.1.2 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) was established in 1991, following the proposal for its creation presented in the Paris Charter for a New Europe in 1990. The Assembly became a part of the institutional structure of the then Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe which in 1994 changed its name to OSCE.
The OSCE PA gathers 323 parliamentarians from a total of 56 full members. The main task of this organisation is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue among OSCE Member States. Other tasks include assessing the implementation of OSCE objectives, discussing issues tackled at the meetings of the OSCE Ministerial Council and summits of the heads of state or government, developing and promoting mechanisms to prevent and solve conflicts, supporting the strengthening and consolidation of democratic institutions in OSCE countries, and contributing to the development of OSCE institutions and to the relations and cooperation between them.
At the meeting of 27 March 2013, the delegation decided that its members would sit on the following OSCE PA committees:
- Branko Grims: General Committee on Political Affairs and Security - Maja Dimitrovski: General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment - Roberto Battelli: General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions
Roberto Battelli was unanimously elected Treasurer of the Assembly at the OSCE PA session in 2009; he was re-elected at the annual sessions in 2011 and 2013 (to serve until the end of the annual session of 2015). At the OSCE PA session of 3 July 2009, he was re-appointed Special OSCE Representative on South East Europe, a position he held also in the previous term. He was also member of the Sub-committee on Transparency and the Sub-committee on Rules of Procedure, and ex-officio member of the Assembly Bureau.
At the annual OSCE PA session of July 2014 in Baku, Battelli tabled the draft »Resolution on the Democratic Control of the Public and Private Security Sectors«, which was discussed and adopted by the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, and the draft »Resolution on Regional Co-operation in South East Europe«, which was discussed by the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security. Both resolutions received support by the Assembly and were included in the final Baku Declaration.
Table 8.3: Activities of the National Assembly delegation to OSCE PA
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Assembly sessions - 3 3 2 8 Elections observation - 2 4 1 7 Other - 2 8 4 14 TOTAL - 7 15 7 29
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
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8.1.3 NATO Parliamentary Assembly
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) is an inter-parliamentary organisation which has no formal relationship with NATO. It was established in 1955 as North Atlantic Assembly and was renamed NATO Parliamentary Assembly in November 1998. It comprises 257 parliamentarians from 28 member countries and 56 parliamentarians from 13 associated members. Participation in the work of the Assembly is also allowed to regional partners, Mediterranean associated members, and parliamentary observers.
The NATO Assembly is a forum where dialogue on security, defence and economic issues takes place. Its objective is to deepen understanding among the representatives of the participating states.
Slovenia attended the session of the North Atlantic Assembly for the first time in 1994. At such session, it was granted the status of associated delegation. By joining NATO in 2004, Slovenia also gained full membership status of the NATO PA.
At the meeting of 22 March 2012, the delegation decided that its members would sit on the following NATO PA committees: - Standing Committee: Melita Župevc (member), Dragutin Mate (alternate member); - Political Committee: Melita Župevc (member), Dragutin Mate (alternate member); - Defence and Security Committee: Dragutin Mate , Melita Župevc (alternate member); - Economic Committee: Melita Župevc; - Committee on Economic Dimension of Security: Dragutin Mate; - Science and Technology Committee: Franc Jurša; Matej Tonin (alternate member).
After a change in the composition of the delegation, Matej Tonin replaced Franc Jurša in the Science and Technology Committee. No other changes occurred.
Between 30 March and 1 April 2014, Ljubljana hosted the meeting of the NATO PA Standing Committee, which was chaired by Melita Župevc.
Table 8.4: Activities of the National Assembly delegation to NATO PA
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Assembly sessions - 2 2 - 4 Committee and subcommittee - 3 3 4 10 meetings Other - 5 2 1 8 TOTAL - 10 7 5 22
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
8.1.4 Inter-Parliamentary Union
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was established in 1889 and is one of the oldest international organisations gathering the parliaments of sovereign states. Its seat is in Geneva. Other regional parliamentary organisations and associations cooperate with the IPU and attend IPU conferences and other events as observers.
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Slovenia became full member of the IPU on the occasion of the 89th IPU Assembly held in New Delhi between 12 and 17 April 1993.
The purpose of IPU is to enhance cooperation and the exchange of experience among parliaments and parliamentarians of the world, to consider questions of international interest and concern, and express its views on such issues to bring about action by parliaments and parliamentarians. The IPU contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights – an essential factor of parliamentary democracy and development, to better knowledge of the work of representative institutions, and to the development of their means of action.
IPU Assemblies take place twice a year (in spring and in autumn). To facilitate the work of the organisation, delegations from the same region gather in geopolitical groups - informal and non- mandatory structures of activity. Geopolitical groups allow individual countries to better assert their interests. Slovenia is also a member of the geopolitical Group 12+, gathering European countries as well as countries that geographically do not belong to any other group, such as Canada, New Zealand, Israel, etc.
Any deputy of the National Assembly may join the IPU National Group. In the past term, the IPU National Group comprised 29 deputies. The Leader of the Group is, by rule, the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy.
Table 8.5: Activities of the National Assembly delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Assembly sessions - - 1 1 2 Other - 1 1 1 3 TOTAL - 1 2 2 5
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
8.1.5 Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) is a successor of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean that operated within the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The establishment of an independent parliamentary assembly is the result of a 15-year process that had been taking place within the Inter-Parliamentary Union to tackle the issues of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean (i.e. the littoral states of the Mediterranean as well as Portugal, Macedonia and Jordan).
PAM aims at promoting the political will and the economic development of the Mediterranean, expand the values and cultural achievements, as well as at fostering cooperation in addressing regional challenges, including the appeasement of political discrepancies and conflicts in the region. PAM also tackles issues such as globalisation, international migrations, terrorism, money laundering, organised crime, environment degradation, and trafficking in human beings.
The delegation agreed that its members would sit on the following committees: - First Standing Committee - Political and Security Cooperation: Andreja Črnak Meglič and Franc Pukšič; - Second Standing Committee - Economic and Social Cooperation: Borut Ambrožič and Ivan Simčič; - Third Standing Committee - Human Rights: Damjana Petavar Dobovšek and Truda Pepelnik.
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In February 2013, the Council of the President of the National Assembly decided that the National Assembly would withdraw from the PAM owing to high membership contributions.
Table 8.6: Activities of the National Assembly delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Assembly sessions - 1 - - 1 Other - 1 - - 1 TOTAL - 2 - - 2
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
8.1.6 CEI Parliamentary Dimension
The Parliamentary Dimension of the Central European Initiative (CEI) represents the parliamentary level of CEI – the oldest and largest forum for regional cooperation in Europe, gathering 18 countries and covering a territory of 2.4 million sq. km with a population of 250 million. The organisation was established in 1989 as Quadrilateral Cooperation (Italy, Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia), became the Pentagonal Initiative in 1990 (joined by Czechoslovakia) and the Hexagonal Initiative in 1991 (joined by Poland), and was finally renamed Central European Initiative (CEI) in November 1991. Slovenia joined the organisation in July 1992.
Today, CEI comprises the following countries: Austria, Albania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Ukraine. CEI activities are based on a targeted approach supplementing the political dialogue.
The members of the initial delegation sat on individual committees as follows: - Standing Committee: Janja Klasinc (member); - General Committee on Political and Home Affairs: Janja Klasinc (member); - General Committee on Cultural Affairs: Polonca Komar (member); - General Committee on Economic Affairs: Ivan Hršak (member).
The members of the second delegation sat on individual committees as follows: - Standing Committee: Jožef Kunič (member); - General Committee on Political and Home Affairs: Jožef Kunič (member); - General Committee on Cultural Affairs: Štefan Tisel (member); - General Committee on Economic Affairs: Ljudmila Novak (member).
Table 8.7: Activities of the National Assembly delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Central European Initiative
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Parliamentary Committee - 1 1 1 3 Parliamentary Assembly - - 1 - 1 Other - 1 1 - 2 TOTAL - 2 3 1 6
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
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8.1.7 Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean
First convened in Brussels in October 1998 to provide the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with a parliamentary dimension, the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum was attended by delegates from the EP and the national parliaments of the then EU Members and Southern Mediterranean partners. The Forum’s conversion into a genuine Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) was proposed in an EP resolution and approved by the fifth Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers (Valencia, April 2002). The EMPA’s inaugural sitting was held in Greece in March 2004.
At the sixth plenary session held in Amman in March 2010, EMPA was renamed Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, thus underlining its unique role as the parliamentary body of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), with a focus on democratic control and its consultative role.
The members of the Slovenian delegation participated in the following committees: - Committee on the Promotion of the Quality of Life, Human Exchanges and Culture: Samo Bevk; - Committee on Economic, Financial and Social Affairs and Education: Marijan Pojbič; - Committee on Women's Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean Countries: Tamara Vonta; - Initially Committee on Women's Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean Countries, later on Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights and EMUNI Working Group: Saša Kos.
Table 8.8: Activities of the National Assembly delegation to the Union for the Mediterranean
DELEGATION ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Assembly sessions - 1 - - 1 Other - 4 4 1 9 TOTAL - 5 4 1 10
Source: Committee on EU Affairs.
8.1.8 Adriatic-Ionian Initiative
The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) was established at the proposal of Italy on 20 May 2000 in Ancona. Its members are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Serbia. The establishment of the Initiative was supported by the European Commission whose representative is also member of the Adriatic-Ionian Council. Slovenia held the presidency of the AII between June 2012 and May 2013.
The main goal of the AII is cooperation among the states of the Adriatic and Ionian seas in the fields of development and security of the region. In such context, Slovenia believes that cooperation should focus on issues related to the sea and the littoral zone. Following the EU approach in developing macroeconomic strategies, the AII – and the Slovenian presidency alike – has been fostering the idea of an Adriatic-Ionian macroregion. The period 2012-2014 was in fact crucial for the completion of the development-oriented Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion.
In the framework of the AII presidency, Slovenia hosted on 12 and 13 May 2013 the 11th Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the AII, chaired by the President of the National
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Assembly Janko Veber. On other years, conferences were attended by President Gregor Virant (Beograd, 26 April 2012) and Vice-President Polonca Komar (Tirana, 27 and 28 April 2014).
8.1.9 SEECP Parliamentary Assembly
Slovenia joined the forum of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and its parliamentary dimension in 2010. The other members of SEECP include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.
The SEECP Parliamentary Assembly was established at the inaugural session of Speakers of Parliaments of the SEECP participating states held in Bucharest between 9 and 11 May 2014.
The SEECP Parliamentary Assembly's mission is to enhance cooperation and coordinate activities among the parliaments of participating States with the aim of ensuring peace, security, stability and cooperation within the region. The sessions of the SEECP Parliamentary Assembly will take place once a year and will be chaired by the Speaker of the parliament of the presiding state.
The members of the Slovenian delegation sat on the following committees: - Committee on Economy, Infrastructure and Energy: Renata Brunskole (member) and Franc Bogovič (member); - Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Security Cooperation: Sonja Ramšak (member) and Franc Bogovič (alternate member); - Committee on Social Development, Education, Research and Science: Renata Brunskole (member) and Sonja Ramšak (alternate member).
8.1.10 Other multilateral meetings
The deputies of the National Assembly also attended several multilateral meetings (conferences, seminars, etc.) abroad.
Table 8.9: Multilateral meetings
ACTIVITIES 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Multilateral meetings - 63 72 25 160 of which in Slovenia - 1 2 1 4
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
8.2 Bilateral activities
Contacts were fostered mainly with the parliaments of the EU countries and of the Western Balkans both at the highest parliamentary level and at the level of working bodies, parliamentary friendship groups, and expert services.
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Table 8.10: Bilateral visits abroad
COUNTRY 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Austria - 3 - - 3 Bosnia and Herzegovina - - 1 - 1 Czech Republic - 2 - - 2 Estonia - 1 - - 1 Croatia - 1 4 3 8 Iran - - - 1 1 Italy - 1 1 1 3 China - - - 1 1 Hungary - 1 2 - 3 Germany - - 1 - 1 Russian Federation - 1 1 - 2 Serbia - - 1 - 1 Spain - - - 1 1 Turkey - - 1 - 1 United Kingdom - - 2 - 2 TOTAL - 10 14 7 31
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
Note: The table refers to visits hosted by foreign parliaments; meetings held during multilateral meetings are not taken into account.
Table 8.11: Bilateral visits to Slovenia
COUNTRY 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Albania - 2 - 1 3 Azerbaijan - - 1 - 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina - 1 1 - 2 Czech Republic - 1 - 1 2 Montenegro - - 1 - 1 European Parliament - - - 1 1 Finland - 1 - - 1 Croatia - - 1 - 1 India - - 1 - 1 Iran - - 1 - 1 Ireland - 1 - - 1 Kosovo - 1 - - 1 Hungary - 2 - - 2 Macedonia - 1 - - 1 Germany - 3 - - 3 Russian Federation - 1 - - 1 Saudi Arabia - - - 1 1 Serbia - - 1 - 1 Switzerland - 1 - - 1 Turkey - - 2 - 2 United Kingdom - 1 - 1 2 TOTAL 16 9 5 30 Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
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8.2.1 Parliamentary friendship groups
In the 2011-2014 parliamentary term, 58 parliamentary friendship groups operated in the National Assembly. At the end of the term, parliamentary friendship groups involved 61 deputies from all deputy groups. In the course of the parliamentary term, 13 more deputies were members of friendship groups, of which 12 ceased to hold the office of deputy before the expiry of the term while one deputy terminated his membership in the group.
Table 8.12: Parliamentary friendship groups
FRIENDSHIP GROUP CHAIR DEPUTY GROUP / COUNTRY Albania Jerko Čehovin ZaAB Janez Vasle (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to NSi Argentina hold the office of deputy) Alenka Jeraj (since 21 May 2013) SDS Australia Marija Plevčak DeSUS Austria Saša Kos PS Azerbaijan Dragutin Mate SDS Belgium Janja Klasinc PS Bulgaria Matjaž Han SD Bosnia and Saša Kos PS Herzegovina Brazil Darko Jazbec ZaAB Janez Vasle (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to NSi Cyprus hold the office of deputy) Iva Dimic (since 21 May 2013) NSi Czech Republic Ivan Vogrin UD Montenegro Iva Dimic NSi Denmark Borut Ambrožič UD Egypt Janja Napast SDS Estonia Polonca Komar DL Tina Komel (until 11 September 2012 when she PS Finland resigned as Chair of the Group) Mitja Meršol (since 9 October 2012) ZaAB France Jožef Jerovšek SDS Janez Vasle (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to NSi Greece hold the office of deputy) Jana Jenko (since 21 May 2013) DeSUS Georgia Matjaž Zanoškar UD Jasmina Opec (until 20 March 2013 when she ceased to Croatia hold the office of deputy and since 21 May 2013 when SLS she was was again appointed Chair of the Group) India Janez Ribič SLS Iran Ivan Vogrin UD Ireland Jana Jenko DeSUS Roman Jakič (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to PS Iceland hold the office of deputy) Borut Ambrožič (since 21 May 2013) UD
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FRIENDSHIP GROUP CHAIR DEPUTY GROUP / COUNTRY Italy Mirko Brulc SD Romana Tomc (until 1 July 2014 when she ceased to Israel SDS hold the office of deputy)* Romana Tomc (until 1 July 2014 when she ceased to Japan SDS hold the office of deputy)* Canada Borut Ambrožič UD China Samo Bevk SD Korea Barbara Žgajner PS Tamara Vonta (until 2 April 2013 when she ceased to PS Kosovo hold the office of deputy) Janja Napast (since 21 May 2013) SDS Ivan Pišek (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to hold SDS Cuba the office of deputy) Aljoša Jerič (since 21 May 2013) ZaAB Kuwait Darko Jazbec ZaAB Latvia Alenka Jeraj SDS Liechtenstein Ivan Vogrin UD Lithuania Saša Kos PS Luxembourg Borut Ambrožič UD Hungary László Göncz NC Macedonia Maja Dimitrovski ZaAB Truda Pepelnik (until 28 December 2012 when she DL Malta ceased to hold the office of deputy) Darko Jazbec (since 21 May 2013) ZaAB Roman Jakič (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to PS Morocco hold the office of deputy) Polonca Komar (since 22 May 2013) DL Mexico Borut Ambrožič UD Dejan Židan (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to SD Germany hold the office of deputy) Jožef Horvat (since 22 May 2013) NSi Netherlands Mitja Meršol ZaAB Norway Jožef Jerovšek SDS Poland Danijel Krivec SDS Portugal Iva Dimic NSi Romania Saša Kos PS Russian Federation Franc Pukšič SLS Roman Žveglič (until 20 March 2013 when he ceased to SLS hold the office of deputy) Slovakia Franc Bogovič (from 22 May 2013 to 1 July 2014 when SLS he ceased to hold the office of deputy)* Serbia Janja Klasinc PS Alenka Bratušek (until 27 February 2013 when she PS Spain ceased to hold the office of deputy) Aljoša Jerič (since 22 May 2013) ZaAB Tamara Vonta (until 2 April 2013 when she ceased to PS Sweden hold the office of deputy) Aljoša Jerič (since 22 May 2013) ZaAB Switzerland Ivan Vogrin UD Turkey Janja Klasinc PS
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FRIENDSHIP GROUP CHAIR DEPUTY GROUP / COUNTRY Ukraine Jerko Čehovin ZaAB Tamara Vonta (until 2 April 2013 when she ceased to PS United Kingdom hold the office of deputy) Maša Kociper (since 22 May 2013) ZaAB USA Borut Ambrožič UD
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
Note: * Given the upcoming parliamentary elections, no new Chair was elected.
8. 3 Protocol events
The table below presents the number of protocol and other events held at the National Assembly. Receptions include receptions of ambassadors, foreign parliamentarians and other high representatives of foreign countries.
Table 8.13: Protocol events
EVENT 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Protocol visits - 53 55 27 135 - of which to the President of NA - 45 47 23 115 Receptions 1 217 123 58 398 - of which given by the President of NA 1 65 55 230 150 TOTAL 1 270 178 78 534
Source: Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation.
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9 PETITIONS
In the Republic of Slovenia, the right to petitions is guaranteed by Article 45 of the Constitution. The petitions, complaints and proposals received by the National Assembly are dealt with by the Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities. The Commission discusses the petitions and other proposals submitted by citizens, informs the competent National Assembly working bodies thereof, and proposes suitable measures for the effective realization of the rights, obligations, and legal interests of citizens.
Between 21 December 2011 until 31 July 2014, the Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities received 442 petitions and resolved 415.
Table 9.1: Number of petitions received and resolved
PETITIONS 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL Received 1 176 165 100 442 Resolved 1 176 165 73 415
Source: Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities (services).
Table 9.2: Petitions by subject matter
SUBJECT MATTER No. OF PETITIONS Received Resolved General information, including data on petitions in various periods, records 1 1 of documents handed over, records of destruction of excluded documents Human rights (general on human rights and freedoms, protection of human rights, human rights ombudsman, reports, equal opportunities, gender 20 19 mainstreaming) and political parties Justice (courts, state prosecutor's office, state attorney's office, attorneyship 17 14 and notariat, administrative dispute, court registers, court fees) Administrative law (personal circumstances, citizenship, population, foreign nationals, societies, public gatherings, events, religious communities, 21 20 inspections, administrative proceedings, administrative fees) Civil law (property and other real rights, housing relations, office buildings and premises, intellectual property, obligations, marriage and family 89 85 relations, inheritance, civil court proceedings, collision regulations) Criminal law (criminal and economic offences, criminal procedure, penal 85 77 sanctions, amnesty, misdemeanours) Labour relations, wages and compensations 22 19 Health care and insurance (health care and pharmacies, health care and health insurance, protection against infectious diseases, medicinal products, 16 16 humanitarian organisations) Social care and insurance (victims of war, killings) 25 24 Pension and disability insurance 54 53 Spatial planning (spatial planning, buildings and building land, agricultural 33 33 land, geodetic services, land register and land cadastre) Environment protection (environment protection, protection against 17 14 hazardous substances, protection against ionising radiation) Business entities (companies, general regulations, public utility services, 7 7 chambers, cooperatives, competition protection, prices)
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SUBJECT MATTER No. OF PETITIONS Received Resolved Public finance (taxes, fees, customs duties) 13 12 Education and sport 10 10 Miscellaneous 10 9 Disability pension and rights arising from disability insurance 2 2 TOTAL 442 415
Source: Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities, 31 July 2014.
Diagram 9.2: Number of petitions by subject matter
Source: services of the Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities.
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10 ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
10.1 Adopted decisions by proposer
Table 10.1 shows that in the parliamentary term 2011–2014, the National Assembly adopted 136 decisions.
Table 10.1: Number of decisions adopted by proposer
PROPOSER 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL President of the Republic of Slovenia - 1 7 1 9 Government of the Republic of Slovenia - 14 5 3 22 Supervisory Board of the Slovenian Press Agency - 1 - - 1 Judicial Council - 14 7 1 22 Commission for Public Office and Elections - 27 21 9 57 Deputy groups - 13 5 6 24 Human Rights Ombudsman - - 1 - 1 TOTAL - 70 46 20 136
Source: Data provided by the Commission for Public Office and Elections (services).
10.2 Registered changes in the composition of working bodies
Table 10.2 indicates the number of registered changes in the composition of working bodies.
Table 10.2: Number of registered changes in the composition of working bodies
YEAR 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL No. OF REGISTERED - 75 49 82 206 CHANGES
Source: Commission for Public Office and Elections (services).
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11 OPENNESS OF PARLIAMENT
The Public Relations Office organises free tours of the National Assembly and the viewing of sessions of the National Assembly for pre-arranged groups of visitors. The tour may also include a talk with a selected deputy. Every second Saturday of the month, except in August, the National Assembly offers guided tours for individual visitors in Slovene and English language during its Open Doors Days. Subject to room capacity, the interested public has the right to attend the public sessions of the National Assembly.
Table 11.1: Visits to the National Assembly
VISITS TO THE NATIONAL No. OF VISITS No. OF VISITORS ASSEMBLY 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 Organised tours * 323 186 * 11,981 7,935 Open Doors Days* * 33 24 * 868 646 Museum Night * 4 4 370 476 807 Viewing NA sessions in * - - * 980 1,312 organised groups TOTAL * 360 205 13,712 14,305 10,700
Source: Data provided by the Public Relations Office.
Notes: * data for 2012 were not gathered in such form.
** 2013 - 11 Open Doors Days with three tours per day; 2014 - 8 Open Doors Days with three tours per day.
Occasionally, the National Assembly organises photography and other exhibitions and cultural events in the lobby of the Great Hall or in the lobby of the Great Hall's balcony. Individual visitors may view the exhibitions and cultural events without prior announcement, whereas groups need to inform the Public Relations Office of their arrival.
Table 11.2: National Assembly's cultural mission
CULTURAL EVENTS (APPEARANCES BY ART GROUPS AND No. OF EVENTS EXHIBITIONS) 2012 2013 2014 At the initiative and in the organisation of the National 2 3 3 Assembly and its working bodies At the initiative of external stakeholders 9 13 4 TOTAL 11 16 7
Source: Data provided by the Working Group for Events (Protocol).
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Table 11.3: Traditional events and meetings in the National Assembly*
TRADITIONAL EVENTS AND MEETINGS AT THE NATIONAL No. OF EVENTS ASSEMBLY 2012 2013 2014 At the initiative and in the organisation of the National 2 6 2 Assembly and its working bodies At the initiative of external stakeholders 7 8 7 TOTAL 9 14 9
Source: Data provided by the Working Group for Events (Protocol).
Note: *For example: All Slovenian Meeting of Slovenes, Museum Night, Spring Day or Europe Day, Seniors' Parliament to mark the International Day of Older Persons, Children's Parliament.
Table 11.4: Events, celebrations and receptions on special occasions*
EVENTS, CELEBRATIONS AND RECEPTIONS ON SPECIAL No. OF EVENTS OCCASIONS 2012 2013 2014 At the initiative and in the organisation of the National 1 2 1 Assembly and its working bodies At the initiative of external stakeholders 6 7 5 TOTAL 7 9 6
Source: Data provided by the Working Group for Events (Protocol).
Note: * For example: International Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Roma Day, Week of the Child, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day, Light of Bethlehem.
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12 THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The National Assembly adopts the state budget, which also includes the National Assembly's own budget (financial plan).
Table 11.1 shows data for individual years, namely for 2012 and 2013 (whole year) and 2014 (until 31 July 2014 since the budgetary year 2014 is not yet concluded). The table presents the adopted and current budgets, while Table 11.2 indicates expenditure by year.
Table 11.1: Adopted and current budget of the National Assembly in EUR ADOPTED BUDGET** CURRENT BUDGET***
2012 2013 2014**** 2012 2013 2014**** Salaries 17,860,551 15,836,000 15,406,500 18,149,855 15,598,365 15,406,500 Material and other costs and expenditure 6,405,568 5,053,301 5,058,993 6,421,788 4,903,700 5,348,444 Investment and maintenance 1,773,397 1,333,866 1,454,000 1,640,111 1,261,758 1,454,877 Own activity* 309,000 300,091 310,000 300,289 300,454 199,645 Current transfers***** 0 0 0 0 0 2,537,147 Special items (without expenditure) 0 0 0 9,990 8,808 939 TOTAL 26,348,516 22,523,258 22,229,493 26,522,033 22,073,085 24,947,552
Source: National Assembly, Finance and Accounting Section.
Notes: *This category includes the National Assembly's own activity: the restaurant. ** Adopted budget is the budget adopted by the National Assembly and published in the Official Gazette. *** Current budget is the most recently adopted budget, including all amendments adopted over the budget year. Amendments are a result of redistribution and coordination of the rights to use budgetary funds. The current budget may be amended on a daily basis. The conditions and manners of allocating funds are provided by the Public Finance Act. **** Data until 31 July 2014. ***** Upon the entry into force of the Act amending the Political Parties Act (Official Gazette of RS No. 99/13 of 3 December 2013), the funds intended to finance political parties are determined and disbursed in the financial plan of the National Assembly.
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Table 11.2: Expenditure of the National Assembly in EUR EXPENDITURE** EXPENDITURE IN %***
2012 2013 2014**** 2012 2013 2014**** Salaries 18,112,910 15,590,174 9,188,443 100% 100% 60% Material and other costs and expenditure 4,480,355 4,263,834 2,215,496 70% 87% 41% Investment and maintenance 1,302,883 1,236,457 139,873 79% 98% 10% Own activity* 231,537 249,864 184,614 77% 83% 92% Current _ _ transfers**** 0 0 1,357,237 53% Special items (without expenditure) 0 0 778 0% 0% 83% TOTAL 24,127,685 21,340,329 13,086,442 91% 97% 52%
Source: National Assembly, Finance and Accounting Section.
Notes: *This category includes the National Assembly's own activity: the restaurant. ** Expenditure is the sum of all expenditures and other budgetary spending. *** Expenditure in % means the share of budget realised compared to the current budget by year and category of expenditure. **** Data until 31 July 2014. ***** Upon the entry into force of the Act amending the Political Parties Act (Official Gazette of RS No. 99/13 of 3 December 2013), the funds intended to finance political parties are determined and disbursed in the financial plan of the National Assembly.
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13 THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN THE SIXTH PARLIAMENTARY TERM – AFTERWORD BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
After just over two years and a half, the sixth term of the Slovenian legislative body elected in the 2011 early elections terminated with the confirmation of the election of deputies in early elections and the formation of the seventh National Assembly.
Even though the sixth parliamentary term was almost a half shorter than the usual four years, the developments were indeed intensive, politically turbulent and anchored in the international arena which often dictated the pace and, to a certain extent, also the content of work. Due to the economic and financial crisis, also the parliament needed to focus on adopting the legal bases and cooperating in the formulation and adoption of measures aimed at mitigating the consequences of this crisis.
During the National Assembly's sixth term, the Slovenian society faced the deterioration of economic, financial and social circumstances. A wave of dissatisfaction in the society gave rise to spontaneous protests in the fall of 2012 and later also in 2013. The protests contributed to the strengthening of those processes which led to the change of the ruling coalition and to the appointment of the new Government. Thus, Slovenia got its first female President of the Government. Moreover, the President of the National Assembly and the holders of some other offices at the National Assembly were replaced.
In the protests, the citizens requested that they be allowed to actively participate in the formulation and adoption of decisions. The outcome of the so-called "uprising movement" was, inter alia, also the emergence of new political movements and parties. Some of them took part in the elections to the European Parliament in May 2014 as well as in the early elections to the National Assembly in July 2014.
The demonstrations and, above all, the violent riots breaking out at demonstrations in November and December 2012 in Ljubljana and Maribor also led to the decision to establish a parliamentary inquiry to determine and assess the actual state of affairs in relation to the emergence and activities of extremist groups and movements in the Republic of Slovenia. The National Assembly ordered two other parliamentary inquiries, namely on the political responsibility of holders of public offices in relation to determining abuses in the banking sector, and on the political responsibility of holders of public offices participating in the sale of Sistemska tehnika company to Viator&Vektor company and in further activities which ended with the signing of the letter of intent to acquire infantry fighting armoured vehicles called Krpan.
The new ruling coalition focused its attention primarily on stabilising the political situation, solving the financial crisis and preventing the breakdown of public finances, and adopting the measures for strengthening the economy and rehabilitating the banking system. These topics were also discussed in the National Assembly. In November 2013, the National Assembly passed a vote of confidence in the Government which the President of the Government tied on the adoption of budgetary documents. Despite the successful vote of confidence, the President resigned from her office after loosing party leadership at the congress of Positive Slovenia. Since the National Assembly did not elect a new President of the Government, the President of the Republic dissolved the National Assembly and called an early election for 13 July 2014.
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Another characteristic of the sixth parliamentary term worth noting is the relatively high number of new deputies and the highest number of female deputies ever. At its first session, the composition of the National Assembly comprised as many as 54 new deputies – only 40% of deputies were re- elected. There were 29 female deputies (32%), the greatest number in all parliamentary terms so far. However, in the course of the term a number of changes in composition were observed, mainly resulting from the incompatibility of the office of deputy with government and minister offices. In 2012, the number of female deputies rose to 34, but fell to 31 by the end of 2013. The National Assembly concluded its term with 29 female deputies. The share of re-elected deputies decreased to only 30 by the end of 2012. At the end of 2013 and at the end of the term, there were 33 deputies who had previously already held the office of deputy.
Already at the end of 2008–2011 term, the National Assembly adopted a number of austerity measures to reduce the spending of budgetary funds, particularly in terms of material costs and investments. At the beginning of the parliamentary term 2011–2015, activities related to austerity measures resumed in all areas. By amending the Deputies Act, the National Assembly reduced the amount of salary compensation and the period of time for which the compensation was granted to deputies whose term of office had expired. Now, a deputy whose term of office has expired before six months have elapsed since the confirmation of his/her election is no longer entitled to compensation. The deputies also reduced the amount granted to deputies for the use of mobile phones and laptops, the amount of funds to cover the material costs related to their work in the constituency, and the amount to cover the costs related to the activities of deputy offices. Moreover, reductions were made in the costs associated with the education of deputies, and deputy groups spent less on expert assistance to deputies. With the Fiscal Balance Act, also the salaries of deputies witnessed a reduction, together with the separation allowance, meals allowance and the reimbursement of travel costs. The National Assembly further economised on deputies' official trips abroad and entertainment costs.
The same austerity policy also applied to all employees of the National Assembly. In line with the austerity guidelines, the National Assembly's administration pursued a restrictive policy in the area of employment (there was no employment for the substitution of longer sick leave and retirement, student work was only exceptionally approved) and as regards the payment of overtime, increased amount of work, employee training, official trips, etc.
In December 2012, the National Assembly celebrated its 20th anniversary. This occasion was marked by a formal session and several other events, including a talk between the President of the National Assembly and the author of the research "The National Assembly – Slovenian Democratic Legislative Body 1992-2012; Twenty years of its Existence" Jure Gašparič from the Institute of Contemporary History, which issued a scientific monograph with a similar title "The National Assembly 1992-2012; About Slovenian Parliamentarism".
In 2012, the research project on the National Assembly's building titled "The Story of the Slovenian Parliament" came to an end as well. The project group including an architect, a historian, an art historian, a designer and a photographer published the results of the research in the form of a book titled "Parliament - Three Stories". The book was issued by the Museum of Contemporary History and represents a valuable addition to literary references on the Slovenian parliament.
In December 2013, the National Assembly celebrated also the 20th anniversary of its Rules of Procedure. On this occasion, the National Assembly organised a meeting of the President of the National Assembly and the Chair of the Commission for the Rules of Procedure with the first Chair of such Commission Miran Potrč and the expert adviser in the drafting of the Rules of Procedure Albin Igličar.
In the sixth term, the National Assembly continued to pursue its policy of openness of parliament. Data on the number of visitors and of cultural and other events held clearly show that the National
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Assembly is a highly open parliament. A considerable number of these events also had a humanitarian character.
The National Assembly's activities in the 2011-2014 term were intensive and marked by a large number of extraordinary sessions and meetings, as evidenced by the statistical data indicated in this Report. The National Assembly met in 95 sessions of which as many as 70 were extraordinary. The sessions lasted 194 days, with extraordinary sessions accounting for 90 days.
The National Assembly was also active in the international arena, as evidenced by data on the international activity of the Assembly and its working bodies – members of National Assembly delegations participated in seven international parliamentary institutions, there were several multilateral and bilateral meetings and over 500 protocol events.
I am confident that also in the new parliamentary term the National Assembly will continue to pursue and upgrade the measures and activities to the benefit of the citizens and the entire society, thus contributing to strengthening the confidence in parliamentary democracy.
Mojca Prelesnik Secretary General
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14 SERVICES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The Services of the National Assembly perform specialised, administrative, and other activities and technical tasks that ensure the conditions for the work of the National Assembly. The Services are headed by the Secretary General of the National Assembly. The organisation and work of the Services are regulated by the Ordinance on the Internal Organisation, Positions and Titles in the Services of the National Assembly and by the Rules on the Internal Organisation and the System of Positions in the Services of the National Assembly. In addition to the above and other internal acts of the National Assembly, its Services are – as regards the status, rights and duties of employees – subject to regulations governing civil servants employed in state administration (i.e. Civil Servants Act, Salary System in the Public Sector Act, Labour relations Act, Collective Agreement for the Public Sector, etc.).
14.1 General information on the Services of the National Assembly10
As mentioned above, the organisation and work of the services are regulated by the Ordinance on the Internal Organisation, Positions and Titles in the Services of the National Assembly (hereinafter: Ordinance) and by the Rules on the Internal Organisation and the System of Positions in the Services of the National Assembly (hereinafter: System of Positions).
On 2 June 2014, the System of Positions provided 350 posts while the Services of the National Assembly employed 359 persons, namely: 252 of a total of 300 positions based on the System of Positions, 49 of a total of 50 positions based on the System of Positions and Article 11 of the Ordinance11 , 54 persons employed pursuant to Article 12 of the Ordinance under additional assistance to deputies (posts not included in the System of Positions), 4 persons employed on a part-time basis (trainees, substitutes for employees on maternity or sick leave).
Table 14.1 shows the number of employees of National Assembly's Services by year.
10 Prepared by the Organisation and Personnel Section. Data for 2012 and 2013 relate to 31 December of the respective year; data for 2012 relate to 22 December 2011 (first session of the newly elected National Assembly), while data for 2014 relate to 2 June 2014 (dissolution of the National Assembly). 11 Pursuant to Article 11, a deputy group is entitled to a Secretary, two advisers and a clerk, as well as to an additional clerk for every eight deputies. A deputy group with more than eight deputies is entitled to an additional adviser for every six deputies. Based on Article 12 of the Ordinance, each deputy group received funds for additional expert assistance which may be spent for part-time employment or contract work.
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Table 14.1: No. of persons employed in National Assembly's Services by year
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 22 Dec. 2011 31 Dec. 2012 31 Dec. 2013 2 June 2014
NA Services - permanent employment* 274 262 252 252 NA Services - temporary employment* 9 1 4 4 Deputy groups - Article 11 34 44 44 49 Deputy groups - Article 12 39 47 58 54 TOTAL 356 354 358 359
Source: Organisation and Personnel Section
Data reveal that permanent employment in the Services of the National Assembly decreased in the course of the parliamentary term (by 22 employees). From the beginning to end of the term, the number of temporarily employed decreased by 5.
On the contrary, employment in deputy groups grew. The number of persons employed in deputy groups under Articles 11 and 12 of the Ordinance increased by a total of 30. Such growth was due to the formation of new deputy groups in the course of the term and the break-up of one deputy group in 2014.
Table 14.2 shows the turnover in the Services and deputy groups by year and for the entire parliamentary term.
Table 14.2: Turnover in the parliamentary term 2011-2014
TURNOVER INFLOW OUTFLOW
Services DG* DG TOTAL Services DG DG TOTAL Art. Art. Art. Art. 12 11 12 11 22 Dec. 2011 - 31 Dec. 2011 0 2 6 8 0 0 0 0 1 Jan. 2012 - 31 Dec. 2012 4 16 27 47 23 10 16 49 1 Jan. 2013 - 31 Dec. 2013 3 3 23 29 10 3 13 26 1 Jan. 2014 - 2 June 2014 6 3 4 13 6 1 2 9 TOTAL 13 24 60 97 39 14 31 84
Source: Organisation and Personnel Section
Legend: * DG = deputy group
Table 14.2 reveals that over the term, most inflow was recorded by deputy groups (based on Articles 11 and 12 of the Ordinance), mainly in 2012. This was indeed a result of the constitution of the newly elected National Assembly in late 2011 and the consequent formation of deputy groups and their services, as well as of the increased outflow from deputy groups in the same year. A high turnover in deputy groups among the persons employed under Article 12 of the Ordinance was recorded also in 2013.
In 2012, four employees returned from temporary employment in other state bodies. In the National Assembly's Services, the highest outflow was seen in 2012 as a result of the adoption of the Fiscal
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Balance Act which promoted the retirement of public employees. Austerity measures reflected also in lower employment of public employees. Employment was limited both in the National Assembly and in public administration in general, as shown by Table 13.2 indicating the inflow-outflow ratio in National Assembly's Services.
Employment contracts terminated for the following reasons: - written agreement i.e. notice given by the employee: 38 (44%), - expiry of the employment contract: 20 (23%), - retirement: 22 (25%), - other reason: 7 (8%): - termination of employment upon expiry of the period of notice: 2 (2.3%), - retirement on grounds of disability: 1 (1.15%), - taking over an office: 2 (2.3%), - employment in another state body: 2 (2.3%).
The reasons for termination of employment in the entire parliamentary term are presented in Diagram 14.1.
Diagram 14.1: Reasons for termination of employment – parliamentary term
Source: Organisation and Personnel Section
The highest inflow and outflow in deputy groups was recorded in 2012. The reasons for termination of employment by year are presented in Diagram 14.2.
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Diagram 14.2: Reasons for termination of employment – per year
As evident from the above diagram, in 2012 most employment contracts terminated by agreement and as a result of expiry of the period for which the contracts were concluded following the formation of the new Government. Moreover, upon elections, deputy groups won a different number of seats, meaning that some groups were now entitled to lower amounts for expert assistance. 2012 also saw a considerable number of retirements. Also in 2013 most employment contracts terminated in deputy groups, by written agreement as a result of the change in Government.
Turnover is linked also to the advertised vacancies. Since intervention measures also affected i.e. restricted employment, there was a relatively small number of advertised vacancies throughout the term. In 2013 and 2014, open competitions were held for two official positions and five administrative-technical posts.
The educational structure of employees changed as a result of staff turnover and individual studies to achieve a higher level of education. However, given the austerity measures, no training to achieve a higher level of education was provided in the interest of the employer.
The educational structure of employees is shown in Diagram 14.3.
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Diagram 14.3: Educational structure of employees by year
At the beginning of the term, the average age of the employees was 43 years; at the end of term, the average age was 42.5 years.
The ratio between male and female employees was the same at the beginning and end of the term. The share of women (73%) prevailed over men (27%). A change was recorded only in 2012 when the share of women dropped to 71% and the share of men rose to 29% as a consequence of turnover in such year.
14.2 Work of National Assembly's Services
The Services of the National Assembly provided for a smooth functioning of the Assembly and successfully carried out several major projects in support of business processes, cost rationalisation, environmentally-friendly conduct, and greater transparency of work.
The work of the Services in the parliamentary term 2011–2014 was largely influenced by austerity measures which reflected above all in reduced expenditure on material costs and investments. This was a result of various measures, such as promoting e-commerce, performing only urgent investment and maintenance tasks, and saving on travel and entertainment expenses, fixed telephony, and on the purchase of cars. The ECO group set up in the previous term continued its activities, additionally focusing on resources saving and other ecologically-oriented activities.
The Services comprise the following organisational units: - Office of the President of the National Assembly - Deputy Groups' Services - Legislative and Legal Service - Public Relations Office - Office of the Secretary General - Secretariat of the National Assembly: - National Assembly Operations Division - Section for Preparing and Conducting Sessions of the National Assembly and Its Working Bodies - Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation 98
- Research and Documentation Division - Research Section - Documentation and Library Section - Directorate of the National Assembly: - General Affairs Division: - Organisation and Personnel Section - Finance and Accounting Section - Information Division: - Section for the Development of the Information System - Materials and Mail Section - Operator Service - Printing Service - Operational and Technical Division: - Improvements and Maintenance Section - Catering Section - Transport Section - Reception and Telephone Services Section
Although the 6th parliamentary term 2011-2014 was the shortest ever, the Services of the National Assembly proceeded with or completed existing projects and started new projects, mainly aimed at cost rationalisation, support to business processes, environmentally-friendly conduct, and greater transparency and openness of work of the National Assembly (e.g. Unicef Safe Point - as the first parliament in the world to join this initiative, updated illustrated Constitution, website redesign, Museum Night, etc.).
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15 SOURCES
1. National Assembly, website: http://www.dz-rs.si, September 2014. 2. GLOBE Slovenia, website of the Environment Protection Council: http://www.svo- rs.si/globe.nsf (accessed September 2014). 3. Data provided by the National Council. 4. Data provided by the National Assembly: Sessions, Transcripts of sessions, Adopted laws, Adopted acts, Draft laws, Draft acts, Laws - end of procedure, Acts - end of procedure, Consolidated texts of laws, Parliamentary questions and motions, EU affairs, Proceedings before the Constitutional Court, Meetings of working bodies, Transcripts of meetings of working bodies, Council of the President of the National Assembly, Parliamentary friendship groups, Human Resources Database. Databases of working bodies - sessions and transcripts. Databases of the Information system in Lotus Notes environment. 5. Data provided by the Finance and Accounting Section. 6. Data provided by the Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities. 7. Data provided by the Committee on EU Affairs. 8. Data provided by the Section for International Relations, Protocol and Translation. 9. Data provided by the Organisation and Personnel Section. 10. Data provided by the Secretaries of working bodies. 11. Data provided by the service of the Commission for Public Office and Elections. 12. Data provided by the administrator of the Parliamentary questions and motions database. 13. Data provided by the Legislative and Legal Service. 14. Databases and documentation of the commissions of inquiry. 15. Databases of the Office of the President of the National Assembly. 16. Databases of the Research and Documentation Division. 17. Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, official consolidated text (PoDZ-1-UPB1), Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 92/07 and amendments. 18. Rules of Procedure on Parliamentary Inquiry, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 63/93, 33/03. 19. Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 33/91, 42/97, 66/00, 24/03, 69/04, 68/06, 47/13).
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