Competences of the National Council
According to the Constitution the National Council may:
- propose to the National Assembly the passing of laws;
- convey to the National Assembly its opinion on all matters within the competence of the National Assembly;
- require the National Assembly to decide again on a given law prior to its promulgation;
- require inquiries on matters of public importance as referred to in Article 93.
Where required by the National Assembly, the National Council must express its opinion on an individual matter.
Legislative initiative
The National Council may propose to the National Assembly to adopt certain laws or amend certain legal provisions. The council's role as provider of initiatives is an important one within the legislative process. These proposals comprise initiatives and requests made by members, and proposals made by the National Council's committees and interests groups.
Opinions
The National Council adopts, and conveys to the National Assembly, opinions regarding all matters within its sphere of competence. This means that the interests of the interest groups represented in the National Council are promoted within the National Assembly as well. National Council committees also formulate opinions, positions and proposals when laws and other acts from their area of work are being discussed.
The National Council and its working bodies cooperate with the working bodies of the National Assembly, and forward their opinions to the latter concerning matters within their sphere of competence. The working bodies of the National Assembly discuss the opinions conveyed to them by the National Council or its working bodies. A representative of the National Council or of one of its working bodies may take part in discussions on its opinions at a session of a National Assembly working body. The chairman of a National Assembly working body notifies the President of the National Council or the chairman of a National Council working body of the position adopted by the National Assembly.
The Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly stipulate that the President of the National Assembly shall send National Council proposals, opinions and requests to all deputies and to the Government, and require that the competent working bodies and the Government send their opinions to the National Assembly. After discussing their proposals, opinions and requests, working bodies adopt a position and inform the National Assembly of that position.
The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the National Council of the decisions taken by the National Assembly regarding the National Council's proposals, opinions and requests.
The opinions of the National Council and its committees are published in the Bulletin of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia.
Suspensive veto
The National Council may exercise a suspensive veto, which means it requires that the National Assembly decide again on a law prior to its promulgation. The National Council may exercise its right of suspensive veto within seven days of the adoption of the law in question.
Before the President of the Republic of Slovenia promulgates a law, the President of the National Assembly sends the text of the adopted law to the President of the National Council. If the National Assembly is asked to decide again, a majority of all deputies is required if the law is to be adopted, unless the Constitution stipulates that a higher number of votes is required for the law in question to be adopted. Any new decision taken by the National Assembly is final.
Parliamentary enquiry
The National Council may require an enquiry on matters of public importance. The initiative may be filed by each member of the National Council. The request is sent to the National Assembly if a majority of members present vote for it. As the proposer, the National Council appoints a representative to be present at the discussion of the parliamentary enquiry request at the National Assembly.
The National Assembly may order an enquiry on matters of public importance. It must do so if this is requested by one-third of its deputies or by the National Council.
Constitutional complaint
Under the Constitutional Court Act, the National Council has the right to file a request for the commencement of proceedings to assess the constitutionality and legality of regulations and general acts.
Proposal to adopt an authentic interpretation of the law
The procedure for the authentic interpretation of the law is laid down in National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. A proposal to adopt an authentic interpretation of a law may be presented by anyone entitled to propose a law, which includes the National Council.
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