New Members of Parliament are entering the National Assembly, including a Member from the Maribor area

In the wake of recent heated exchanges within the National Assembly of Slovenia, members of parliament emphasized the importance of respectful communication during a meeting held under the auspices of President of the Assembly Zoran Stevanović. The gathering, which took place following a prior agreement on the committee of the president, brought together leaders of parliamentary groups to discuss issues related to the unified leadership of sessions and the interpretation of procedural matters. Attendees agreed not to comment publicly on the discussions, underscoring their commitment to maintaining decorum in political discourse. This decision was made in light of ongoing concerns about the conduct of certain MPs, particularly regarding the limitations placed on debate during ministerial hearings last week.

The tensions arose primarily from criticisms raised by opposition members who felt that the need for open discussion on communication practices within committees had been overlooked. These concerns were echoed by several parliamentary figures, including Meira Hot, leader of the Social Democrats' parliamentary group, who stressed that the meeting was not about judging individual behavior but rather about fostering mutual respect among colleagues. She noted that all participants had agreed to refrain from commenting on the session, emphasizing the necessity of stepping back and respecting each other despite differing political views. According to her, this approach would help restore a sense of normalcy to the democratic institution represented by the National Assembly.

Nedeljko Todorović, a member of the Respublica party, confirmed the occurrence of the meeting and remarked that the culture of behavior within the assembly could be observed directly on camera, thus making further discussion unnecessary. When asked whether Stevanović sets a good example in terms of conduct, he suggested that his actions have generally met expectations given past experiences with previous presidents of the assembly. Meanwhile, Vesna Asta Vrečko, co-leader of the Left Party and head of its parliamentary group, highlighted the long-standing tradition within her party of respecting political opponents. She described democracy as a reflection of the ability to engage in reasoned dialogue even when opinions differ, reinforcing this principle as central to the current legislative term.

Državni sekretar in cabinet member Vinko Gorenak addressed the recent polemical debates and alleged misconduct by some MPs. He acknowledged that such situations can arise when individuals become more assertive, but expressed skepticism towards implementing sanctions due to the difficulty in achieving the necessary two-thirds majority required for such measures. Instead, he advocated for focusing on personal relationships between MPs and the issues they face, suggesting that explicit insults in parliament often reveal more about the person uttering them than the target.

Meanwhile, new members are beginning to take their seats in the National Assembly, marking a significant shift in representation. Six new MPs will replace ministers who have recently assumed office, with four of them set to begin their roles immediately. The most substantial changes are expected within the Democratic Party, where half of the parliamentary group will undergo replacement. Tadej Ostrc, previously serving as a minister for health, has transitioned into a role as a state secretary, while Tea Košir and Barbara Levstik Šega, both former MPs, have also moved into administrative positions within the government. Their replacements, Dejan Zakrajšek, will now occupy their former seats.

Two additional parliamentary seats remain unfilled until June 10, 2026, allowing the outgoing MPs to continue participating in today's extraordinary session of the National Assembly. In the coalition comprising the New Slovenia, the Slovenian People’s Party, and Focus, two new MPs—Andrej Černigoj and Janez Beja—are set to join, replacing Jernej Vrtovč and Janez Cigler Kralj, who have taken up ministerial roles. Additionally, Luka Simonič, the leader of the Slovenian Youth Union and currently the youngest MP in the current term, will assume a seat in the parliamentary group of the Slovenian Democratic Party, succeeding Suzana Lep Šimenko, who has become a minister responsible for Slovenians abroad and international affairs.