The three consultative votes will address local voting rights for third-country nationals, the future of the RTV Slovenija licence fee and conditions for receiving social assistance. The fourth, binding referendum was initiated by civil society groups and concerns changes to the rules governing parliamentary inquiries.
One of the most controversial questions concerns whether local election voting rights should be restricted to Slovenian and other EU citizens, effectively excluding nationals of non-EU countries. Parliament already approved amendments in June removing these voting rights, but the legislation has not yet entered into force. NGOs plan to collect signatures in September to trigger a binding referendum on the issue.
Another vote will ask whether Slovenia’s mandatory RTV Slovenija licence fee should be abolished. Supporters of the proposal argue that changing media habits and the rise of digital platforms make the existing funding model outdated, while opponents warn that replacing the licence fee with direct state-budget funding could make the public broadcaster more vulnerable to political pressure.
Voters will also be asked whether cash social assistance for able-bodied people should be conditional on performing community service. The government coalition argues that the measure could encourage long-term unemployed people to become more active in the labour market and society. The centre-left opposition, however, has criticised the proposal as populist and argues that existing mechanisms are sufficient to prevent abuse of the welfare system.
The binding referendum will focus on amendments to parliamentary inquiry rules adopted by the ruling coalition in May. Critics say the changes weaken individuals’ ability to challenge parliamentary investigations before the Constitutional Court and could create the foundations for excessive political interference. Some opponents have gone as far as describing the proposed system as a form of “political police”, an accusation rejected by both the coalition and the Truth party.
The decision to hold all four votes on the same day has itself become politically contentious. The centre-left opposition has accused the government of using the three consultative referendums to distract attention from the binding vote and mobilise right-wing voters. The government and Truth reject those accusations, arguing that holding the referendums together will reduce costs and give citizens an opportunity to express their views on several important issues early in the government’s term. Electoral procedures for all four votes are scheduled to begin on 1 September, setting the stage for an unusually consequential day at the ballot box in Slovenia.
