Lotrič hopes to establish the regions next year and hold the first regional elections in 2030

Maribor24IndependentProgressiveNov 4

President of the State Council, Marko Lotric, announced a new initiative to establish provinces in Slovenia after two decades of failed attempts. He stated that the National Assembly could legally create these regions next year, followed by a three-year adaptation period leading to local elections for provincial councils and governors in 2030. Lotric emphasized that the current coalition agreement mandates the preparation of legal frameworks, arguing that previous efforts stalled due to disputes over administrative seats which favored central power retention in Ljubljana. The proposed structure would transfer responsibilities for regional development, transport infrastructure, education, and healthcare coordination from the state to the provinces. Officials noted that Ljubljana currently controls a quarter of all jobs in the country, a share expected to rise to 30 percent by 2050, highlighting the urgency of decentralization.

Bias read (Progressive): The article relies exclusively on statements from the President of the State Council and supportive ministry officials who frame decentralization as necessary to counter excessive centralization in Ljubljana, omitting critical opposition views or arguments against the proposal.

Siol.netState / PublicProgressiveNov 4

Marko Lotrič, President of the State Council, announced plans to establish provinces in Slovenia next year, with local elections scheduled for 2030 after a three-year adaptation period. He stated that the current coalition agreement obliges parties to prepare the legal basis for this constitutional obligation, which has remained unfulfilled since 2006 due to disputes over provincial seats. Lotrič supports creating regions with approximately 200,000 inhabitants to facilitate cross-border cooperation under EU funding rules, noting that previous attempts failed because central power in Ljubljana retained control over finances. The proposed transfer of competencies includes regional development, parts of transport infrastructure, education networks, healthcare coordination, and civil protection. Officials noted that Ljubljana currently controls 25% of all jobs in the country, highlighting the need for decentralization to address demographic decline and economic imbalance.

Bias read (Progressive): The article relies exclusively on statements from the President of the State Council, a body traditionally associated with conservative and center-left opposition to centralist governance, emphasizing decentralization and criticizing the concentration of power in Ljubljana.