Opening of the call for a referendum on the intervention law on 1 September

The Slovenian parliament has announced the start of collecting signatures for a constitutional referendum on the intervention law dated September 1. The process will begin on Tuesday, September 1, and will run until Monday, October 5. This initiative was initiated by members of the National Assembly (NSi), Slovenian People's Party (SLS), Focus, Democrats and Resnica, with support from the Social Democratic Party (SDS). The law, which was approved by the National Council of State (DZ) on May 11, includes measures aimed at addressing the looming energy crisis, such as reduced VAT on basic food items and energy providers. It also introduces systemic solutions related to the treatment of small businesses, including adjustments to taxes and social contributions, such as the introduction of caps on social contributions, healthcare, and pensions. Despite initial approval, the DZ later passed a decision in late May declaring the referendum invalid. The parliamentary majority argued that according to the constitution, referendums are not allowed for laws concerning taxes and other mandatory payments, which the intervention law regulates in significant parts. This led to criticism from trade unions, who accused the law of misusing the omnibus technique. In June, these unions turned to the Constitutional Court, challenging the legality of the law. The Constitutional Court’s ruling on Monday overturned the DZ’s decision, stating that while the law contains elements outside the scope of referendums, these do not constitute a minimum part of the law or address essential issues. Therefore, the entire law does not fall under the constitutional prohibition against referendums on tax-related matters. As a result, the DZ has now set the date for the start of signature collection for the referendum. The campaign for the referendum began with more than 47,000 voters supporting the initiative through civil society and opposition members within the DZ. The collected signatures were intended to trigger a 35-day period during which supporters could gather 40,000 verified signatures to qualify for a referendum. With the court’s ruling, this process is now officially underway. Supporters of the referendum argue that the law provides necessary relief amid economic challenges, particularly in light of the energy crisis. They believe that the current system fails to adequately protect citizens from rising costs and that the proposed changes would offer much-needed stability. On the other hand, opponents maintain that the law represents an overreach, using broad provisions to bypass normal legislative procedures and impose additional burdens on taxpayers. The outcome of the signature collection will determine whether the referendum proceeds. If the required number of signatures is met, the DZ will be obligated to hold the vote. The legal battle surrounding the law highlights ongoing tensions between different factions within the political landscape, reflecting broader debates over governance, fiscal responsibility, and public participation in decision-making processes. As the signature collection begins, all eyes will be on the final count, which will shape the next steps in this politically charged situation.