NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY On the basis of the Slovenian Constitution, the National Assembly of the Republic of began to function after the second democratic elections in 1992. The National Assembly was constituted at its first session on 23 December 1992 follow- ing the confirmation of the election of the deputies, the President and two Vice-Presidents (the National Assembly later also elected a third Vice-President). The most recent parliamentary elections, in which ninety deputies were elected to the National Assembly, were held on 21 September 2008. Deputies are elected by universal, equal, direct and secret voting. They are the represen- tatives of all the people and are not bound by any instructions. Unless interrupted by early or special elections, deputies have a four-year term of office. Elections to the National Assembly are called by the President of the Republic. The National Assembly conducts its proceedings in Slovene. The two deputies represent- ing the Italian and Hungarian national communities have the right to speak, table mo tions, initiatives and questions and make other submissions in Italian or Hungarian, re spectively. Such matters are then translated into Slovene. The work of the National Assembly is open to the public unless otherwise determined by its Rules of Procedure. The National Assembly meets in regular and extraordinary sessions. Regular sessions are called during the regular annual terms of the National Assembly: during the spring term between 10 January and 15 July, and during the autumn term between 1 September and 20 December.

The Large Hall of the National Assembly before renovation 2 3 COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY The National Assembly is composed of 90 deputies, including one representative of the Italian national community and one representative of the Hungarian national community. National Assembly deputies are organised into deputy groups. Deputies elected from the same list of candidates and deputies who are members of the same parliamentary party have the right to form only one deputy group. Two or more deputy groups may join to form one deputy group. The deputies representing the Italian and Hungarian national communities together have the status of a deputy group. During the 2008-2012 parliamentary term the deputies have formed eight deputy groups: • the Social deputy group (SD - 29 deputies; 9 female, 20 male) • the Slovenian Democratic Party deputy group (SDS - 27 deputies; 2 female, 25 male) • the - New Politics deputy group (ZARES - 9 deputies; 1 female, 8 male) • the Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia deputy group (DeSUS - 5 male deputies) • the Slovenian National Party deputy group (SNS - 5 male deputies) • the Slovenian People's Party deputy group (SLS - 6 male deputies) • the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia deputy club (LDS - 5 male deputies) • the Hungarian and Italian National Communities deputy group (NS - 2 male deputies) • Unaffiliated deputy (NeP - 2 male deputies)

4 SD SDS ZARES DeSUS SNS SLS LDS National communities Unaffiliated deputy Last change: 20 September 2010

5 POWERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY The National Assembly is the highest representative and legislative body in the country. The National Assembly has the following powers: • to decide on and proclaim amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia • to adopt laws, the state budget, the supplemented state budget, amendments to the state budget and the annual financial statement on the state budget • to adopt authentic interpretations of laws and official consolidated texts of laws • to ratify treaties • to adopt the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly • to adopt the rules of procedure on parliamentary inquiry • to adopt declarations, resolutions, ordinances, recommendations and decisions • to order a parliamentary inquiry • to call a referendum • to pass a vote of confidence or no confidence in the Government • to decide on the impeachment of the President of the Republic, the President of the Government or ministers before the Constitutional Court • to decide on the immunity of deputies, Constitutional Court judges, judges, the Om­ budsman for human rights and his substitute • to decide on the proclamation of war or a state of emergency • to discuss EU affairs, take positions on the amendments to the Treaties establishing the , and take positions on the political guidelines for the functioning of Slovenia within EU institutions in accordance with the Constitution, the law and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly

6 The National Assembly elects, appoints and dismisses: • the President and Vice-Presidents of the National Assem­bly • the Secretary General of the National Assembly • the chairmen and deputy chairmen of working bodies of the National Assembly • the President of the Government • ministers • Constitutional Court judges • judges • the Human Rights Ombudsman and Deputy Ombuds­ men • five members of the Judicial Council • the governor of the central bank • the members of the Court of Audit • other holders of public office where so provided by law

The National Assembly also performs other tasks within the scope of its powers as provided by the Constitution, laws, the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly and ordinances issued on the basis of the Rules of Procedure.

7 THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The National Assembly has a President elected by ma­ jority vote of all deputies. The President represents the National Assembly and presides over its work: the President calls and conducts the sessions, signs laws and other acts adopted by the National Assembly, fosters relations with the National Council and cooperation with the President of the Republic, Miran Potrč (SD) the Government, other state authorities, the representa- The National Assembly has tive bodies of other states, a maximum of three Vice- international parliamentary Presidents (one of whom and other organisations, is a member of the largest ensures the implementation op­position deputy group) of the Rules of Procedure, who assist the President in assigns issues for discussion his work. If the President in the work­ing bodies of the is ab­sent he appoints a National Assembly, rules on Vice-President to act as his disputes over the jurisdic- sub­stitute. tion be­tween the working bodies, decides on deputies’ official trips abroad where such de­cision is not within the competence of the work- ing bodies, and performs other tasks in accordance with the Constitution, law and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly. Dr. (ZARES) 8 VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The Secretary General heads the services of the National Assembly and per­ forms other tasks provided by regulations, the Rules of Procedure and other acts of the National Assembly. The Secretary General is appointed by and account­ able to the National Assem­ bly.

France Cukjati (SDS) mag. Vasja Klavora (DeSUS) Mojca Prelesnik

COUNCIL OF THE PRESIDENT the time allocated for the discussion of individual items OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY on the agenda as well as on the allocation of speaking time to the participants at the session The Council of the President is a consultative body of the President of the National Assembly. In cases provided by • the number of seats in working bodies to be filled by the Rules of Procedure, the Council is also competent for in­dividual deputy groups, and which deputy group shall decision-making. hold the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship of indi­vidual working bodies The Council consists of the President and Vice-Presidents • the composition of delegations to international parlia­ of the National Assembly, the leaders of the deputy groups mentary institutions, organisations and bodies and the deputies of national communities. • the period within which the National Council must The Council decides on: de­liver its opinion on issues discussed at extraordinary • proposals to adopt a draft law by means of the urgent ses­sions of the National Assembly, on items placed on procedure, unless the President of the Government ties the extended agenda of a session and on draft laws pro- the issue of confidence to the adoption of the law posed by means of the urgent procedure • proposals to discuss a draft law by means of the short­ • other issues where so provided by the Rules of Procedure ened procedure The Council adopts the annual work programme of the • proposals to hold a preliminary discussion on a draft law National Assembly as well as a time schedule for a mini­ • the duration of sessions of the National Assembly and mum of two months. 9 WORKING COMMITTEES BODIES The National Assembly es­ The National Assembly es­ • the Committee on the tablishes working bodies to tablishes standing commit­ Environment and Spatial monitor the state of affairs in tees, generally correspond­ Planning individual areas, to prepare ing to the areas for which • the Committee on Agricul­ policy decisions in such ar- individual ministries are ture, Forestry and Food eas, to formulate positions on competent, or which cover • the Committee on Finan- particular issues and to dis­ several inter-related areas. ce and Monetary Policy cuss draft laws and other acts Committees may also be es­ of the National Assembly. tablished for specific tasks. • the Committee on Foreign Policy Matters within the same field The National Assembly has of work are generally dealt the following committees in • the Committee on Domes­ with by only one working the 2008-2012 parliamen­ tic Policy, Public Admin­ body, known as the work- tary term: istration and Justice ing body responsible. The • the Committee on Local • the Committee on the Presi­dent of the National Self-Government and Economy Assem­bly determines which Regional Development work­ing body is responsible • the Committee on Trans­ • the Committee on Defence for a particular issue. port • the Committee on Health • the Committee on La- bour, the Family, Social Policy and Disability • the Committee on Cultu- re, Education, Sport and Youth • the Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technological Develop­ ment • the Committee on EU Affairs

10 COMMISSIONS

The National Assembly establishes commissions to examine specific common issues or to examine individual matters. • The National Assembly has the following standing commissions: • the Commission for Public Office and Elections • the Commission for the Rules of Procedure • the Commission for the National Communities • the Commission for Public Finance Control • the Commission for the Supervision of Intelligence and Security Services

The following commissions are also operating in the current term: • the Constitutional Commission • the Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities • the Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighbouring and Other Countries • the Commission established under the Prevention of Corruption Act

11 LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE

Laws may be proposed by the acquis communnau- the law and the principles, status of national commu­ the Government, by any taire (in at least three legal goals and basic solutions of nities may be adopted only deputy, by the National systems in EU Member the draft law. with the consent of the Council or by at least 5,000 States); and other conse- deputies of the national The second reading of a voters. quences the adoption of communities. draft law is first held within the law might have. A draft law contains the the working body responsi­ In the case of less demand­ title of the law, an introduc- Before submitting a draft ble and then, pursuant to ing amendments to a law, tion, the text of all articles law, the proposer of the law the decisions of the respon­ the cessation of the valid- and an explanation. may propose that a prelimi­ sible working body, at a ity of an individual law nary reading be held re­ session of the National As­ or indi­vidual provisions The introduction includes garding the basic issues and sembly. The working body thereof, the less demand- an evaluation of the state social relations that need to responsible discusses and ing har­monisation of a law of affairs and reasons for be regulated by such law. votes on amendments and with other laws or with the adopting the law; the goals, The preliminary reading is individual articles of the ac­quis communnautaire, principles and main solu­ held in the working body draft law and prepares a amendments to laws related tions of the draft law; an appointed by the President report containing a supple­ to proceedings before or de­ estimation of the financial of the National Assembly. mented draft law; the Na­ cisions of the Constitutional implications of the draft tional Assembly discusses Court, the proposer of a law law for the state budget The (regular) legislative the individual articles of the may propose that the law and other public finance procedure comprises three supplemented draft law to be adopted in a shortened re­sources; a statement stages, referred to as the which amendments have procedure. In the shortened that the resources for the first, the second and the been tabled and votes on procedure no general de­ imple­mentation of the law third readings. individual amendments. bate is held and the second are provided in the state The first reading of a draft and third readings are held budget if the draft law The third reading is held law begins when the draft at the same session. envisages the use of budg- at a session of the National law is forwarded to the etary re­sources within a As­sembly; the National As­ Where so required in the deputies. Exceptionally, period for which the state sembly discusses and votes in­terest of state security where so requested by at budget has already been on the amendments tabled or defence, or in order to least ten deputies, the Na­ adopted; a presentation and then on the draft law in rec­tify the consequences of tional Assembly holds a of similar regulation in its entirety. A law relating to natural disasters, or to pre­ general debate at a plenary other legal systems and of the exercise of constitution­ vent more serious threats to session to discuss the rea­ the har­monisation of the ally provided rights and the the functioning of the state, sons proposed for adopting proposed regulation with 12 the Government may pro­ pose that a law be adopted in an urgent procedure. A decision thereon is taken by the Bureau. In the urgent procedure no general de­ bate is held and the second and third readings are held at the same session. The National Council may require the National Assem­bly to reconsider a law within seven days of its adoption and prior to its proclamation. In the event of such, a majority vote of all deputies is required for the adoption of the law, un­ less a larger majority is re­ quired by the Constitution for the adoption of the law. The new decision by the National Assembly is final. Adopted laws are pro­ claimed by the President of the Republic within eight days following their adop­ tion and enter into force upon publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

13 THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING

14 Construction of the parliament building, designed by the ar­chitect Vinko Glanz, began in 1954 and was completed in 1959. It hosted the first session of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Slovenia on 19 February 1959. The building houses the National Assembly and the National Council. The four-storey building has a floor space of 2,200 square metres. Construction of the building followed the principle of using local materials, including marble, stone and wood. The entire building is tiled with karstic marble from Kopriva, while the areas under the windows on the fa­cade are filled with green granite from Oplotnica. In 1991 a number of accesses were created to join the par­ liament building with the adjacent building on Tomšičeva ulica which abuts it. The latter building, constructed in 1879 for the Kranjska hranilnica savings bank, now serves as offices for deputy groups, working bodies and various parliamentary services. Pressure on space partly brought about by changes to work methods and the different competencies of the par­ liament mean that both buildings are constantly undergo­ ing renovation.

Banisters and the building on Tomšičeva street. 15 THE PORTAL The main facade accent is on the portal. It rises to half way up the first floor, where its top serves as a balcony. The portal is supported on five pillars tiled with granite from Pohorje. In front of the architecture of the entrance the academy sculptors Karel Putrih and Zdenko Kalin mounted symbolic sculp- tural compositions. The entire terminal part of the portal is adorned with sculptures by Pu- trih depict­ing education, family hap­piness, mining, electrifica­tion, justice, the textile in­dustry, mechani- cal engi­neering, fruitgrow- ing, agri­culture, forestry, shipbuild­ing and fishing. To the far right and left are male and female figures with arms aloft. Zdenko Kalin provided the sculpture for the pillars. The sculptures depict a safe path into the future, happi­ ness, prosperity and peace. Above are two cherubs with

16 a wreath, symbolically be­ stowing glory and honour on all those who strive to create a more beautiful and fulfilling life. Kalin devoted and right pillars to the arts. Images of chil- dren in the middle spaces repre­sent children’s games; the outermost pillars carry sculptures of men and wom- en armed for resis­tance.

17 SLOVENIAN MARBLE, STONE AND WOOD The oak portal door leads to the entrance area of the par­ liament building, which is tiled with stone from the Bela Krajina region. The stairway walls and the walls on the second floor are covered with light stone from Hotavlje, while on the first floor the walls are covered with red stone from the same location. The paving is of green and grey granite from Pohorje. The ground floor corridor is tiled with dark stone from Podpeč, while the third floor corridor is tiled with karstic limestone of a wonderful light brown colour, which was used for this purpose as a construction material for the first time in this building.

18 WORKS OF ART IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY The mosaics and frescos that adorn and enrich the inte- , Ivana Kobilca, Gojmir A. Kos, Nikolaj rior of the National Assembly are the works of recognised Omersa, Veno Pilon, Riko Debenjak, France Kralj, and Slovene artists: Jože Ciuha, Ivo Šubic, Marij Pregelj and re­cently also the works of contemporary Slovene painters: Ivan Seljak-Čopič. The salons and other areas feature the Jože Spacal, Andrej Jemec, Janez Boljka, Karel Zelenko, works of well-known Slovene painters: Rihard Jakopič, Vladimir Makuc, and Marjan Pogačnik. Matija Jama, , Božidar Jakac, France Slana,

19 THE LARGE HALL The Large Hall, where the National Assembly meets, was renovated in 2000 ac­cording to a plan by the ar­chitects Sonja Miculini}, Albina Kindlhofer and Darja Valič. The hall is circular, representing the period in Slovene history when vil­lage leaders would meet in a circle under a linden tree to debate and take deci­sions. The circle, the centre of which is em- phasised by stone paving, is also a sym­bol of complete- ness, denot­ing the centre of legislative power and the seat of the highest demo- cratic institu­tion. The guiding theme for the architects was the high-quality and Slovene origin of the materials used (cherry veneer, grey granite from Pohorje, marble from Hotavlje – as used by the original architect Glanz) and their symbolic value in Slovene tradition. Although the Large Hall of the National Assembly has been completely renovated

20 and fitted with the latest something of a compliment electronic equipment, it to the original architect. still adheres to the design The Large Hall has a floor prin­ciples of the architect space of 422 square metres Vinko Glanz, who in 1954 and 150 seats. The seats are planned the parliament arranged in circular pattern building in what would be­ and slope, as in an amphi­ come the modernist style of theatre, down towards an the fifties. And with the de­ inner circle of grey Pohorje liberate use of Slovene stone granite, where there is a the new hall indeed pays

21 partially revolving speaker’s podium. The deputies’ desks are equipped with a micro­ phone, a voting device, a headphone socket, an iden­tity card reader, a loud­ speaker and an electricity socket for a portable com­ puter. The deputies’ seats revolve and can be moved and adjusted for height. They are covered with dark grey leather. Opposite the main entrance to the hall is the President’s desk and the government seats. The position of the President of the National Assembly is additionally equipped with a central vot- ing device and screen. On a marble wall behind the President’s desk is a bronze relief of the Slovene coat-of- arms by academy sculptor Marko Pogačnik, made to mark Slovenia’s achieve- ment of independ­ence in 1991. Across the corridor from the Large Hall is the National Assembly’s press centre and a large salon and a small salon intended principally for official receptions. 22 THE LOBBY OF THE LARGE HALL Refurbished in 2000, the lobby of the Large Hall is used for receptions, proto­ col events and for judges taking the oath. Its spa­ ciousness is now empha­ sised by tonalite paving stone from Pohorje. The most important wall in the lobby, which contains the entrance into the Large Hall, is harmonised with the redesign of the hall: the doors are lined with grey leather, and between the doors the wall is covered with large tiles of Hotavlje marble. The area in front of the Large Hall contains a mu­ral by academy painter Slavko Pengov depicting the history of the Slovene nation from the Slav coloni­ sation to the start of post­ war renewal. The images start with the time of the migration of nations that accompanied the collapse of the Roman empire and the settlement of Slovenes. The mural shows a group of men, women and children emerging from the dark 23 Turkish invasions, inade­ quate defence and new feu­dal burdens led to resis­ tance among the peasants. The mural depicts a major Croatian and Slovene peas­ ant revolt in 1573. The 16th century saw the growth of Slovene towns and the flourishing of crafts, trade, culture and background of the Slovenes’ of Krn. This custom, which democracy for his declara­ the arts. Primož Trubar ancient homeland. A man was preserved far into the tion and was inspired by (1508-1586) represents the of strong build hammers Middle Ages, long after the democratic enthroning country’s cul­tural progress. posts into the ground, a Carantania had lost its in­ of the Carantanian dukes. He is holding his Spelling symbol of their desire to set- dependence, represents a Book (Tübingen, 1550), the The suppression of a rebel­ tle this land. In the shel­ter unique political and admin­ first printed book in Slov- lion against Bavarian rule of the settlement, wise men istrative contract in Euro­ ene, which laid the founda- led by Ljudevit Posavski, meet in council under a pean history. American tions for the de­velopment of who was joined by the linden tree. president Thomas Jefferson spelling and grammar, the Slovenes, had fatal conse­ used this famous ritual in Slovene liter­ary language The next scene shows the quences for the Caranta­ drawing up the American and literature. Alongside ducal stone in the centre nian Slovenes: Carantania Declaration of Independ­ Trubar is Janez Vajkard and a depiction of the became an ordinary county ence. He searched all over Valvasor (1641-1693), histo- Carantanian people elect- of the Frankish state. the world for examples of rian, geogra­pher, ethnogra- ing their duke at the castle pher, topog­rapher, soldier and com­mander, who travelled throughout the Slovene lands researching his cele­brated Glory of the Duchy of Carniola (Nurem- burg, 1689). The next group on the mu­ ral shows representatives of the Enlightenment, the »Zois circle«: Baron Žiga

24 Zois, Anton Tomaž Linhart pict workers’ movements, ity and up to the first demo- international organisations, (who later became a and the start of the 20th cratic elections and the and the introduction of the dramatist and historian), century is represented by constituting of the 90-mem- euro. Valentin Vodnik (a poet the writer ber National Assembly In the lobby of the Large who enthusiastically (1876-1918), the First World in December 1992. The Hall is also a sculpture of welcomed the creation of War and the creation of the ex­hibition also recalls other Wrestling Boys by France the Illyrian Provinces) and Kingdom of Serbs, Croats major milestones in the Kralj from 1942. Matevž Langus (painter and Slovenes. re­cent history of the emer­ and por­trait artist), who gence and development of The walls of the corridor on In the 10th century the Slo­ adopted French Enlighten- the Slovenian state, such as the first floor near the en­ vene land was invaded by ment ideas. the plebiscite on the inde­ trance to the large salon are Magyars, who occupied a pendence of the republic of decorated by the portraits This is followed by the large portion of it. Trouble Slovenia, the ten-day war, of hitherto Presidents of the »Prešeren circle«: in the then followed when a ’s membership in National Assembly. centre stands the imposing enemy, the Turks, appeared figure of France Prešeren at the Slovene borders. (1800-1849). By his side By 1508 the Turks had are the Slavicist and killed or enslaved around Prešeren’s mentor Matija 200,000 people from the Čop (1797-1835) and the Slovene lands. patron of the arts and The last part of the mural is col­lector of ethnographi- dedicated to the Second World cal material Andrej Smole War and the national libera­ (1800-1840). tion struggle, right up until The revolutionary year liberation in 1945 and then a of 1848 is represented in period of enthusiasm and de­ the mural by the Austrian sire for national renewal. coat­of-arms and the The mural is supplemented parliament. Progressive by the permanent exhibi­ ele­ments among Slovenes tion The History of Slove­ at the time drafted a Pro­ nian Parliamentarism gramme for a United Slove­ opened on 6 January 2008, nia, designed to accelerate presenting the development the social and national of Slovenian parliamenta­ de­velopment of the Slovene rism, specifically from the people. Images from the enthronement of princes in end of the 19th century de­ the Carantanian principal­ 25 THE BALCONY AND BALCONY LOBBY The balcony is generally intended for the public, and during protocol events is also used by the diplomatic corps and in­vited guests. It was renovated in 2000. It has 106 dark grey leather seats arranged in four rows. The balcony has four booths for interpreters that are also used by radio and television reporters during live broadcasts from the National As- sembly. The balcony lobby, with marble tiling on the pillars, floor and walls, hosts the exhibition of protocol gifts.

26 THE SMALL HALL The Small Hall, which measures 262 square me­ tres and has 120 seats, is where the National Council meets. It is also used for public presentations of opinions, seminars, collo­ quiums and other events. The hall slopes down to­ wards the presiding officer’s desk as in an amphitheatre. There are galleries on either side of the hall for the press and public. The hall is pan­elled with bleached ash-wood. A characteristic of the walls in the Small Hall is the avoidance of sharp cor­ners, giving the architecture a moulded ap- pearance.

27 National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia Šubičeva 4 1000 Slovenia Tel: +386 1 478 9400 Fax: +386 1 478 9857 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.dz-rs.si Public Relations Office Tel: +386 1 478 9717 Fax: +386 1 478 9656 E-mail: [email protected] Guided tours of the National Assembly Tel: +386 1 478 9788 Fax: +386 1 478 9857 E-mail: [email protected] Open Doors days: second Saturday of the month at 9, 10 and 11 a.m.

Produced by: National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Public Relations Office, represented by Karmen Uglešić. Edited by: Gordana Vrabec. Photo: Barbara Zajc, Marko Jamnik, Borut Peršolja. Design and print layout: Multigraf d. o. o., Ljubljana. Printed by: Printing Service of the National Assembly. Date of issue: October 2010