Coat of arms Office of the President of the Republic

PREAMBLE

Proceeding from the Basic Constitutional Charter on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia, and from fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the fundamental and permanent right of the Slovene nation to self-determination; and from the historical fact that in a centuries-long struggle for national liberation we Slovenes have established our national identity and asserted our statehood, the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia hereby adopts

THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA


* Adopted on 23 December 1991 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 33/91-I), as amended by the Constitutional Act of 14 July 1997 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 42/97) and the Constitutional Act of 25 July 2000 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 66/2000).



I. GENERAL PROVISIONS


Article 1

Slovenia is a democratic republic.

Article 2

Slovenia is a state governed by the rule of law and a social state.

Article 3

Slovenia is a state of all its citizens and is founded on the permanent and inalienable right of the Slovene nation to self-determination.

In Slovenia power is vested in the people. Citizens exercise this power directly and through elections, consistent with the principle of the separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers.

Article 4

Slovenia is a territorially unified and indivisible state.

Article 5

In its own territory, the state shall protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall protect and guarantee the rights of the autochthonous Italian and Hungarian national communities. It shall maintain concern for autochthonous Slovene national minorities in neighbouring countries and for Slovene emigrants and workers abroad and shall foster their contacts with the homeland. It shall provide for the preservation of the natural wealth and cultural heritage and create opportunities for the harmonious development of society and culture in Slovenia.

Slovenes not holding Slovene citizenship may enjoy special rights and privileges in Slovenia. The nature and extent of such rights and privileges shall be regulated by law.

Article 6

The coat-of-arms of Slovenia has the form of a shield. In the middle of the shield, on a blue background, is a representation of Mount Triglav in white, under which there are two undulating blue lines symbolising the sea and rivers and above which there are three golden, six-pointed stars forming a downward-pointing triangle. The shield is bordered in red. The coat-of-arms is designed in accordance with a set standard of geometry and colour.

The flag of Slovenia is the white-blue-red Slovene national flag with the coat-of-arms of Slovenia. The ratio of the width of the flag to the length thereof is one to two. The colours of the flag are in the following order: white, blue and red. Each colour occupies a horizontal band covering one third of the area of the flag. The coat-of-arms is positioned in the upper left portion of the flag such that it lies with one half in the white field and the other in the blue field.

The national anthem of Slovenia is "Zdravljica".

The use of the coat-of-arms, the flag and the national anthem shall be provided by law.

Article 7

The state and religious communities shall be separate.

Religious communities shall enjoy equal rights; they shall pursue their activities freely.

Article 8

Laws and regulations must comply with generally accepted principles of international law and with treaties that are binding on Slovenia. Ratified and published treaties shall be applied directly.

Article 9

Local self-government in Slovenia is guaranteed.

Article 10

The capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana.

Article 11

The official language in Slovenia is Slovene. In those municipalities where Italian or Hungarian national communities reside, Italian or Hungarian shall also be official languages.

Article 12

Slovene citizenship shall be regulated by law.

Article 13

In accordance with treaties, aliens in Slovenia enjoy all the rights guaranteed by this Constitution and laws, except for those rights that pursuant to this Constitution or law only citizens of Slovenia enjoy.


II. HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Article 14
(Equality before the Law)

In Slovenia everyone shall be guaranteed equal human rights and fundamental freedoms irrespective of national origin, race, sex, language, religion, political or other conviction, material standing, birth, education, social status or any other personal circumstance.
All are equal before the law.

Article 15
(Exercise and Limitation of Rights)

Human rights and fundamental freedoms shall be exercised directly on the basis of the Constitution.

The manner in which human rights and fundamental freedoms are exercised may be regulated by law whenever the Constitution so provides or where this is necessary due to the particular nature of an individual right or freedom.

Human rights and fundamental freedoms shall be limited only by the rights of others and in such cases as are provided by this Constitution.
Judicial protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the right to obtain redress for the violation of such rights and freedoms, shall be guaranteed.

No human right or fundamental freedom regulated by legal acts in force in Slovenia may be restricted on the grounds that this Constitution does not recognise that right or freedom or recognises it to a lesser extent.

Article 16
(Temporary Suspension and Restriction of Rights)

Human rights and fundamental freedoms provided by this Constitution may exceptionally be temporarily suspended or restricted during a war and state of emergency. Human rights and fundamental freedoms may be suspended or restricted only for the duration of the war or state of emergency, but only to the extent required by such circumstances and inasmuch as the measures adopted do not create inequality based solely on race, national origin, sex, language, religion, political or other conviction, material standing, birth, education, social status or any other personal circumstance.
The provision of the preceding paragraph does not allow any temporary suspension or restriction of the rights provided by Articles 17, 18, 21, 27, 28, 29 and 41.
Article 17
(Inviolability of Human Life)

Human life is inviolable. There is no capital punishment in Slovenia.

Article 18
(Prohibition of Torture)

No one may be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. The conducting of medical or other scientific experiments on any person without his free consent is prohibited.

Article 19
(Protection of Personal Liberty)

Everyone has the right to personal liberty.

No one may be deprived of his liberty except in such cases and pursuant to such procedures as are provided by law.

Anyone deprived of his liberty must be immediately informed in his mother tongue, or in a language which he understands, of the reasons for being deprived of his liberty. Within the shortest possible time thereafter, he must also be informed in writing of why he has been deprived of his liberty. He must be instructed immediately that he is not obliged to make any statement, that he has the right to immediate legal representation of his own free choice and that the competent authority must, on his request, notify his relatives or those close to him of the deprivation of his liberty.

Article 20
(Orders for and Duration of Detention)

A person reasonably suspected of having committed a criminal offence may be detained only on the basis of a court order when this is absolutely necessary for the course of criminal proceedings or for reasons of public safety.

Upon detention, but not later than twenty-four hours thereafter, the person detained must be handed the written court order with a statement of reasons. The person detained has the right to appeal against the court order, and such appeal must be decided by a court within forty-eight hours. Detention may last only as long as there are legal reasons for such, but no longer than three months from the day of the deprivation of liberty. The Supreme Court may extend the detention a further three months.

If no charges are brought by the end of these terms, the suspected person shall be released.

Article 21
(Protection of Human Personality and Dignity)

Respect for human personality and dignity shall be guaranteed in criminal and in all other legal proceedings, as well as during the deprivation of liberty and enforcement of punitive sanctions.

Violence of any form on any person whose liberty has been restricted in any way is prohibited, as is the use of any form of coercion in obtaining confessions and statements.

Article 22
(Equal Protection of Rights)

Everyone shall be guaranteed equal protection of rights in any proceeding before a court and before other state authorities, local community authorities and bearers of public authority that decide on his rights, duties or legal interests.

Article 23
(Right to Judicial Protection)

Everyone has the right to have any decision regarding his rights, duties and any charges brought against him made without undue delay by an independent, impartial court constituted by law.

Only a judge duly appointed pursuant to rules previously established by law and by judicial regulations may judge such an individual.

Article 24
(Public Nature of Court Proceedings)

Court hearings shall be public. Judgements shall be pronounced publicly. Exceptions shall be provided by law.

Article 25
(Right to Legal Remedies)

Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to appeal or to any other legal remedy against the decisions of courts and other state authorities, local community authorities and bearers of public authority by which his rights, duties or legal interests are determined.

Article 26
(Right to Compensation)

Everyone has the right to compensation for damage caused through unlawful actions in connection with the performance of any function or other activity by a person or body performing such function or activity under state authority, local community authority or as a bearer of public authority.

Any person suffering damage has the right to demand, in accordance with the law, compensation also directly from the person or body that has caused damage.

Article 27
(Presumption of Innocence)

Any person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until found guilty in a final judgement.

Article 28
(Principle of Legality in Criminal Law)

No one may be punished for an act which had not been declared a criminal offence under law, or for which a penalty had not been prescribed, at the time the act was performed.

Acts that are criminal shall be established and the resulting penalties pronounced according to the law that was in force at the time the act was performed, save where a more recent law adopted is more lenient towards the offender.

Article 29
(Legal Guarantees in Criminal Proceedings)

Anyone charged with a criminal offence must, in addition to absolute equality, be guaranteed the following rights:
- the right to have adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence;
- the right to be present at his trial and to conduct his own defence or to be defended by a legal representative;
- the right to present all evidence to his benefit;
- the right not to incriminate himself or his relatives or those close to him, or to admit guilt.

Article 30
(Right to Rehabilitation and Compensation)

Any person unjustly convicted of a criminal offence or deprived of his liberty without due cause has the right to rehabilitation and compensation, and other rights provided by law.

Article 31
(Prohibition of Double Jeopardy)

No one may be sentenced or punished twice for the same criminal offence for which criminal proceedings were dismissed finally, or for which the charge was finally rejected, or for which the person was acquitted or convicted by final judgement.

Article 32
(Freedom of Movement)

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement, to choose his place of residence, to leave the country and to return at any time.
This right may be limited by law, but only where this is necessary to ensure the course of criminal proceedings, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, to protect public order or if the defence of the state so demands.

Entry into the country by aliens, and the duration of their stay in the country, may be limited on the basis of law.

Article 33
(Right to Private Property and Inheritance)

The right to private property and inheritance shall be guaranteed.

Article 34
(Right to Personal Dignity and Safety)

Everyone has the right to personal dignity and safety.

Article 35
(Protection of Right to Privacy and Personality Rights)

The inviolability of the physical and mental integrity of every person, his privacy and personality rights shall be guaranteed.

Article 36
(Inviolability of Dwellings)

Dwellings are inviolable.

No one may, without a court order, enter the dwelling or other premises of another person, nor may he search the same, against the will of the resident.
Any person whose dwelling or other premises are searched has the right to be present or to have a representative present.

Such a search may only be conducted in the presence of two witnesses.

Subject to conditions provided by law, an official may enter the dwelling or other premises of another person without a court order, and may in exceptional circumstances conduct a search in the absence of witnesses, where this is absolutely necessary for the direct apprehension of a person who has committed a criminal offence or to protect people or property.

Article 37
(Protection of the Privacy of Correspondence and Other Means of Communication)

The privacy of correspondence and other means of communication shall be guaranteed.

Only a law may prescribe that on the basis of a court order the protection of the privacy of correspondence and other means of communication and the inviolability of personal privacy be suspended for a set time where such is necessary for the institution or course of criminal proceedings or for reasons of national security.

Article 38
(Protection of Personal Data)

The protection of personal data shall be guaranteed. The use of personal data contrary to the purpose for which it was collected is prohibited.

The collection, processing, designated use, supervision and protection of the confidentiality of personal data shall be provided by law.

Everyone has the right of access to the collected personal data that relates to him and the right to judicial protection in the event of any abuse of such data.

Article 39
(Freedom of Expression)

Freedom of expression of thought, freedom of speech and public appearance, of the press and other forms of public communication and expression shall be guaranteed. Everyone may freely collect, receive and disseminate information and opinions.

Except in such cases as are provided by law, everyone has the right to obtain information of a public nature in which he has a well founded legal interest under law.

Article 40
(Right to Correction and Reply)

The right to correct published information which has damaged a right or interest of an individual, organisation or body shall be guaranteed, as shall be the right to reply to such published information.

Article 41
(Freedom of Conscience)

Religious and other beliefs may be freely professed in private and public life.

No one shall be obliged to declare his religious or other beliefs.

Parents have the right to provide their children with a religious and moral upbringing in accordance with their beliefs. The religious and moral guidance given to children must be appropriate to their age and maturity, and be consistent with their free conscience and religious and other beliefs or convictions.

Article 42
(Right of Assembly and Association)

The right of peaceful assembly and public meeting shall be guaranteed.

Everyone has the right to freedom of association with others.

Legal restrictions of these rights shall be permissible where so required for national security or public safety and for protection against the spread of infectious diseases.

Professional members of the defence forces and the police may not be members of political parties.

Article 43
(Right to Vote)

The right to vote shall be universal and equal.

Every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen years has the right to vote and be elected.

The law may provide in which cases and under what conditions aliens have the right to vote.

Article 44
(Participation in the Management of Public Affairs)

Every citizen has the right, in accordance with the law, to participate either directly or through elected representatives in the management of public affairs.

Article 45
(Right to Petition)

Every citizen has the right to file petitions and to pursue other initiatives of general significance.

Article 46
(Right to Conscientious Objection)

Conscientious objection shall be permissible in cases provided by law where this does not limit the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 47
(Extradition)

No citizen of Slovenia may be extradited to a foreign country. The extradition of aliens shall only be permitted in cases covered by treaties that are binding on Slovenia.

Article 48
(Asylum)

Within the limits of the law, the right of asylum shall be recognised for foreign nationals and stateless persons who are subject to persecution for their commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Article 49
(Freedom of Work)

Freedom of work shall be guaranteed.

Everyone shall choose his employment freely.

Everyone shall have access under equal conditions to any position of employment.

Forced labour shall be prohibited.

Article 50
(Right to Social Security)

Citizens have the right to social security under conditions provided by law.

The state shall regulate compulsory health, pension, disability and other social insurance, and shall ensure its proper functioning.

Special protection in accordance with the law shall be guaranteed to war veterans and victims of war.

Article 51
(Right to Health Care)

Everyone has the right to health care under conditions provided by law.

The rights to health care from public funds shall be provided by law.

No one may be compelled to undergo medical treatment except in cases provided by law.

Article 52
(Rights of Disabled Persons)

Disabled persons shall be guaranteed protection and work-training in accordance with the law.

Physically or mentally handicapped children and other severely disabled persons have the right to education and training for an active life in society.
The education and training referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be financed from public funds.

Article 53
(Marriage and the Family)

Marriage is based on the equality of spouses. Marriages shall be solemnised before an empowered state authority.

Marriage and the legal relations within it and the family, as well as those within an extramarital union, shall be regulated by law.

The state shall protect the family, motherhood, fatherhood, children and young people and shall create the necessary conditions for such protection.

Article 54
(Rights and Duties of Parents)

Parents have the right and duty to maintain, educate and raise their children. This right and duty may be revoked or restricted only for such reasons as are provided by law in order to protect the child's interests.

Children born out of wedlock have the same rights as children born within it.

Article 55
(Freedom of Choice in Childbearing)

Everyone shall be free to decide whether to bear children.

The state shall guarantee the opportunities for exercising this freedom and shall create such conditions as will enable parents to decide to bear children.

Article 56
(Rights of Children)

Children shall enjoy special protection and care. Children shall enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms consistent with their age and maturity.
Children shall be guaranteed special protection from economic, social, physical, mental or other exploitation and abuse. Such protection shall be regulated by law.

Children and minors who are not cared for by their parents, who have no parents or who are without proper family care shall enjoy the special protection of the state. Their position shall be regulated by law.

Article 57
(Education and Schooling)

Freedom of education shall be guaranteed.

Primary education is compulsory and shall be financed from public funds.

The state shall create the opportunities for citizens to obtain a proper education.

Article 58
(Autonomy of Universities and Other Institutions of Higher Education)

State universities and state institutions of higher education shall be autonomous.

The manner of their financing shall be regulated by law.

Article 59
(Freedom of Science and the Arts)

The freedom of scientific and artistic endeavour shall be guaranteed.

Article 60
(Intellectual Property Rights)

The protection of copyright and other rights deriving from artistic, scientific, research and invention activities shall be guaranteed.

Article 61
(Expression of National Affiliation)
Everyone has the right to freely express affiliation with his nation or national community, to foster and give expression to his culture and to use his language and script.

Article 62
(Right to Use One's Language and Script)

Everyone has the right to use his language and script in a manner provided by law in the exercise of his rights and duties and in procedures before state and other bodies performing a public function.

Article 63
(Prohibition of Incitement to Discrimination and Intolerance and Prohibition of Incitement to Violence and War)

Any incitement to national, racial, religious or other discrimination, and the inflaming of national, racial, religious or other hatred and intolerance are unconstitutional.

Any incitement to violence and war is unconstitutional.

Article 64
(Special Rights of the Autochthonous Italian and Hungarian National Communities in Slovenia)

The autochthonous Italian and Hungarian national communities and their members shall be guaranteed the right to use their national symbols freely and, in order to preserve their national identity, the right to establish organisations and develop economic, cultural, scientific and research activities, as well as activities in the field of public media and publishing. In accordance with laws, these two national communities and their members have the right to education and schooling in their own languages, as well as the right to establish and develop such education and schooling. The geographic areas in which bilingual schools are compulsory shall be established by law. These national communities and their members shall be guaranteed the right to foster relations with their nations of origin and their respective countries. The state shall provide material and moral support for the exercise of these rights.

In order to exercise their rights, the members of these communities shall establish their own self-governing communities in the geographic areas where they live. On the proposal of these self-governing national communities, the state may authorise them to perform certain functions under national jurisdiction, and shall provide funds for the performing of such functions.

The two national communities shall be directly represented in representative bodies of local self-government and in the National Assembly.
The position of the Italian and Hungarian national communities and the manner in which their rights are exercised in the geographic areas where they live, the obligations of the self-governing local communities for the exercise of these rights, and those rights which the members of these national communities exercise also outside these areas, shall all be regulated by law. The rights of both national communities and their members shall be guaranteed irrespective of the number of members of these communities.

Laws, regulations and other general acts that concern the exercise of the constitutionally provided rights and the position of the national communities exclusively, may not be adopted without the consent of representatives of these national communities.

Article 65
(Status and Special Rights of the Romany Community in Slovenia)

The status and special rights of the Romany community living in Slovenia shall be regulated by law.


III. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS

Article 66
(Security of Employment)

The state shall create opportunities for employment and work, and shall ensure the protection of both by law.

Article 67
(Property)

The manner in which property is acquired and enjoyed shall be established by law so as to ensure its economic, social and environmental function.
The manner and conditions of inheritance shall be established by law.

Article 68*
(Property Rights of Aliens)

Aliens may acquire ownership rights to real estate under conditions provided by law or if so provided by a treaty ratified by the National Assembly, under the condition of reciprocity.

Such law and treaty from the preceding paragraph shall be adopted by the National Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of all deputies.


* As amended by the Constitutional Act Amending Article 68 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, 14 July 1997 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 42/97).
The original text of Article 68 read as follows:
"Aliens may acquire ownership rights to real estate under conditions provided by law.
Aliens may not acquire title to land except by inheritance, under the condition of reciprocity."



Article 69
(Expropriation)

Ownership rights to real estate may be revoked or limited in the public interest with the provision of compensation in kind or monetary compensation under conditions established by law.

Article 70
(National Assets and Natural Resources)

Special rights to use national assets may be acquired, subject to conditions established by law.

The conditions under which natural resources may be exploited shall be established by law.

The law may provide that natural resources may also be exploited by foreign persons and shall establish the conditions for such exploitation.

Article 71
(Protection of Land)

The law shall establish special conditions for land utilisation in order to ensure its proper use.

Special protection of agricultural land shall be provided by law.

The state shall promote the economic, cultural and social advancement of the population living in mountain and hill areas.

Article 72
(Healthy Living Environment)

Everyone has the right in accordance with the law to a healthy living environment.

The state shall promote a healthy living environment. To this end, the conditions and manner in which economic and other activities are pursued shall be established by law.

The law shall establish under which conditions and to what extent a person who has damaged the living environment is obliged to provide compensation.

The protection of animals from cruelty shall be regulated by law.

Article 73
(Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage)

Everyone is obliged in accordance with the law to protect natural sites of special interest, rarities and cultural monuments.

The state and local communities shall promote the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage.

Article 74
(Free Enterprise)

Free economic initiative shall be guaranteed.

The conditions for establishing commercial organisations shall be established by law. Commercial activities may not be pursued in a manner contrary to the public interest.

Unfair competition practices and practices which restrict competition in a manner contrary to the law are prohibited.

Article 75
(Participation in Management)

Employees shall participate in the management of commercial organisations and institutions in a manner and under conditions provided by law.

Article 76
(Freedom of Trade Unions)

The freedom to establish, operate and join trade unions shall be guaranteed.

Article 77
(Right to Strike)

Employees have the right to strike.

Where required by the public interest, the right to strike may be restricted by law, with due consideration given to the type and nature of activity involved.

Article 78
(Proper Housing)

The state shall create opportunities for citizens to obtain proper housing.

Article 79
(Aliens Employed in Slovenia)

Aliens employed in Slovenia and members of their families have special rights provided by law.


IV. ORGANISATION OF THE STATE

a) The National Assembly

Article 80*
(Composition and Election)

The National Assembly is composed of deputies of the citizens of Slovenia and comprises ninety deputies.

Deputies are elected by universal, equal, direct and secret voting.

One deputy of the Italian and one deputy of the Hungarian national communities shall always be elected to the National Assembly.

The electoral system shall be regulated by a law passed by the National Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of all deputies.

Deputies, except for the deputies of the national communities, are elected according to the principle of proportional representation with a four-percent threshold required for election to the National Assembly, with due consideration that voters have a decisive influence on the allocation of seats to the candidates.


* As amended by the Constitutional Act Amending Article 80 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, 25 July 2000 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 66/00).
The original text of Article 80 read as follows:
"The National Assembly is composed of deputies of the citizens of Slovenia and comprises ninety deputies.
Deputies are elected by universal, equal, direct and secret voting.
One deputy of the Italian and one deputy of the Hungarian national communities shall always be elected to the National Assembly.
The electoral system shall be regulated by a law passed by the National Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of all deputies."



Article 81
(Term of the National Assembly)

The National Assembly is elected for four years.

If the term of the National Assembly expires during a war or state of emergency, its term shall expire six months after the end of the war or state of emergency, or earlier if the National Assembly itself so decides.

Elections to the National Assembly are called by the President of the Republic. A new National Assembly shall be elected no sooner than two months and no later than fifteen days before the expiry of four years from the date of the first session of the previous National Assembly. If the National Assembly is dissolved, a new National Assembly shall be elected no later than two months after the dissolution of the previous one. The term of the previous National Assembly shall end on the first session of the new National Assembly, which shall be called by the President of the Republic no later than twenty days after the election of the new National Assembly.

Article 82
(Deputies)

Deputies of the National Assembly are representatives of all the people and shall not be bound by any instructions.

The law shall establish who may not be elected a deputy, and the incompatibility of the office of deputy with other offices and activities.

The National Assembly confirms the election of deputies. An appeal may be made before the Constitutional Court, in accordance with the law, against a decision of the National Assembly.

Article 83
(Immunity of Deputies)

No deputy of the National Assembly shall be criminally liable for any opinion expressed or vote cast at sessions of the National Assembly or its working bodies.

No deputy may be detained nor, where such deputy claims immunity, may criminal proceedings be initiated against him without the permission of the National Assembly, except where such deputy has been apprehended committing a criminal offence for which a prison sentence of over five years is prescribed.
The National Assembly may also grant immunity to a deputy who has not claimed such immunity or who has been apprehended committing such criminal offence as referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 84
(President of the National Assembly)

The National Assembly has a president who is elected by a majority vote of all deputies.

Article 85
(Sessions of the National Assembly)

The National Assembly meets in regular and extraordinary sessions.

Regular and extraordinary sessions are called by the President of the National Assembly; an extraordinary session must be called if so required by at least a quarter of the deputies of the National Assembly or by the President of the Republic.

Article 86
(Decision-making)

The National Assembly may pass decisions if a majority of deputies are present at the session. The National Assembly adopts laws and other decisions and ratifies treaties by a majority of votes cast by those deputies present, save where a different type of majority is provided by the Constitution or by law.

Article 87
(Legislative Power of the National Assembly)

The rights and duties of citizens and other persons may be determined by the National Assembly only by law.

Article 88
(Legislative Initiative)

Laws may be proposed by the Government or by any deputy. Laws may also be proposed by at least five thousand voters.

Article 89
(Legislative Procedure)

The National Assembly shall pass laws in a multiphase procedure unless otherwise provided by its rules of procedure.

Article 90
(Legislative Referendum)

The National Assembly may call a referendum on any issue which is the subject of regulation by law. The National Assembly is bound by the result of such referendum.

The National Assembly may call a referendum from the preceding paragraph on its own initiative, however it must call such referendum if so required by at least one third of the deputies, by the National Council or by forty thousand voters.

The right to vote in a referendum is held by all citizens who are eligible to vote in elections.

A proposal is passed in a referendum if a majority of those voting have cast votes in favour of the same.

Referendums are regulated by a law passed in the National Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of deputies present.

Article 91
(Promulgation of Laws)

Laws are promulgated by the President of the Republic no later than eight days after they have been passed.

The National Council may within seven days of the passing of a law and prior to its promulgation require the National Assembly to decide again on such law. In deciding again, a majority of all deputies must vote for such law to be passed unless the Constitution envisages a higher majority for the passing of the law under consideration. Such new decision by the National Assembly is final.

Article 92
(War and State of Emergency)

A state of emergency shall be declared whenever a great and general danger threatens the existence of the state. The declaration of war or state of emergency, urgent measures and their repeal shall be decided upon by the National Assembly on the proposal of the Government.

The National Assembly decides on the use of the defence forces.

In the event that the National Assembly is unable to convene, the President of the Republic shall decide on matters from the first and second paragraphs of this article. Such decisions must be submitted for confirmation to the National Assembly immediately upon it next convening.

Article 93
(Parliamentary Inquiry)