In a significant setback for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government, Slovenia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that citizens must be allowed to seek a referendum on a controversial omnibus law that introduces extensive tax cuts alongside broader reforms to pensions, healthcare, labour relations and the welfare system.
The legislation, adopted in May, amended ten existing laws and was presented by the government as a package designed to reduce administrative burdens, lower the cost of living and strengthen Slovenia’s economic competitiveness. Trade unions, supported by opposition parties and civil society groups, challenged the legislation, arguing that it extends far beyond tax policy and introduces major systemic changes affecting the country’s social welfare model. More than 47,000 citizens initially backed the referendum initiative.
Parliament rejected the request, arguing that the Constitution prohibits referendums on laws concerning taxes and mandatory contributions. However, in a 7-1 ruling, the Constitutional Court found that many provisions of the legislation concern broader policy issues that cannot simply be excluded from a referendum because they were packaged together with tax measures.
The judges also criticized the government’s use of an omnibus law, warning that combining numerous unrelated reforms into a single bill could undermine citizens’ constitutional right to call a referendum. The court noted that the proposed changes could have been introduced through separate pieces of legislation, ensuring greater legal clarity and transparency. The ruling allows trade unions to resume collecting the 40,000 signatures required to trigger a referendum, with the campaign expected to begin on 1 September.
Branimir Štrukelj, head of the KSJS public sector trade union association and one of the initiative’s leaders, welcomed the decision, saying citizens should have the opportunity to decide on reforms affecting the country’s welfare state, healthcare and pension systems. The government, however, sharply criticized the ruling. Prime Minister Janez Janša argued that Slovenians would now have the chance to vote on whether they support lower taxes, higher wages and pensions, and cheaper food, while accusing the Constitutional Court of inconsistency in its approach to previous referendum cases.
Business organizations also expressed disappointment, warning that delaying implementation of the reform package could slow economic growth and reduce Slovenia’s competitiveness. If campaigners collect the required number of signatures, the National Assembly will be obliged to schedule a nationwide referendum on the law.
