Freedom in the World 1999 - Slovenia

1999 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.5
Civil Liberties: 2
Political Rights: 1

Overview

Slovenia, one of the region's smallest but most prosperous and stable states, supported the NATO campaign in Kosovo in 1999 and progressed with reforms aimed at securing its accession to the European Union (EU) and eventual NATO membership.

Slovenia was controlled for centuries by the Hapsburg empire before being incorporated into the new Yugoslavia created after World War I. After Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, its territorial defense forces secured the nation's sovereignty by overcoming an invasion by the Yugoslav People's Army.

In the November 1996 elections for the 90-member national assembly, the center-left Liberal Democratic Party (LDS), led by Prime Minister Janez Drovsek, won 25 seats, five fewer than before. The Slovenian Christian Democrats (SKD) won ten seats, five fewer than in 1992. The rightist Slovenian People's Party (SLS) SLS won 19 seats, and the ultraconservative Social Democrats (SDS), led by controversial former defense minister Janez Jansa, took 16 seats. The former Communist United List of Social Democrats, won nine; the Democratic Party of Pensioners, five; and the National Party, four. In February 1997, Drovsek ended a three-month stalemate by forging a coalition with the SLS and the small Democratic Party of Pensioners (DeSus). Incumbent president Milan Kucan was easily reelected in 1997.

In 1997 the EU voted to accept Slovenia as a member, but criticized the government's failure in 1998 to make necessary reforms despite its 1997 accession plan drawn up by Janez Potocnik, Slovenia's chief EU negotiator. The study laid out a timetable for instituting ambitious changes in the coming years to the existing taxation and pension systems, and for reform of the financial sector, including the privatization of state-owned banks and insurance companies. Slovenia was the last of the EU, applicant countries from the former Communist bloc to launch a value-added tax (VAT), which was scheduled to start on July 1, 1999.

The LDS made a strong showing in local elections in 1998. This bolstered the often fragile coalition with the SLS, which lost seats from the previous vote. DeSus, the third coalition partner, slightly improved its standing. Keeping the fragile coalition intact led to a logjam of laws in parliament and an often laborious decision-making process that stalled reform in 1998.

In 1999, Slovenia, a Partnership for Peace member, allowed NATO to use its airspace during operations in Kosovo. By June, government efforts to make the country NATO-compliant boosted defense spending to 2.3 percent of the gross domestic product. The government also stepped up economic reforms and its regional diplomacy with Hungary and Croatia in preparation for its year 2003 accession to the EU. In May, it announced the beginning of sweeping bank privatization, and in June the government signed an agreement with Croatia to settle property disputes. U.S. president Bill Clinton praised the country's economic reforms and democratization during a June visit and said Slovenia was a strong candidate for the next, but as of yet undetermined, round of NATO expansion.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Slovenes can change their government democratically. The 1996 parliamentary elections involved many parties and candidates and were judged "free and fair," as were the 1997 presidential elections.

The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press, although the Slovenian Civil Code prohibits "insulting" officials. Most Slovenian media have been privatized. The major daily newspapers are supported with private investment and advertising. In 1999, there was increasing debate among journalists about standards and the influence of the private sector over news content. Slovenia Radio-Television broadcasts over three radio stations and two television stations. There are four independent television stations and nine major commercial radio stations. The media offer a wide variety of opinion and commentary.

There are no restrictions on freedom of religion in this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country, and freedom of assembly is guaranteed and respected. Slovenia is a multiparty democracy, and there are at least 30 political parties from the far-left to the far-right, with more than a dozen represented in parliament. The main opposition parties are the Social Democrats (SDS), the Slovenian Christian Democrats (SKD), and the United List of Social Democrats. There are hundreds of nongovernmental organizations, though most rely on foreign funding.

Trade unions are constitutionally protected and guaranteed the right to strike. The Association of Trade Unions is the de facto successor to the Communist-era trade union. A third, much smaller, regional union operates on the Adriatic coast. Unions are formally and actually independent of the government and political parties, but individual union members hold positions in the legislature. The United List party has wide trade union support.

The judiciary is independent, and the judicial system comprises district courts, regional courts, a court of appeals, and the supreme court. Judges are elected by the national assembly upon recommendation of an eleven-member judicial council, five of whose members are selected by parliament on the nomination of the president, and six of whom are sitting judges selected by their peers. In 1997, the government announced changes to the Penal Code to comply with the EU and conform to the requirements of a market economy. New commercial laws, as well as statutes dealing with corruption, money laundering, organized crime, and computer hacking were enacted. Laws protect journalists who betray state or military secrets if the disclosures reveal illegal or corrupt practices by government officials.

There are no significant government restrictions on movement, residence, or employment. Property rights for citizens are guaranteed by the constitution, and a 1998 law allows foreigners to own real estate. Private enterprise and ownership are promoted and legally protected. In 1999, the government loosened its grip on the tightly regulated banking sector and allowed foreign banks to open offices throughout Slovenia. Bureaucratic procedures for starting a business are generally transparent, though commercial legislation is incomplete.

In 1998, the European Commission reported that there was no significant corruption in the civil service. Initiatives to combat corruption have been included as part of the government's efforts to ensure compliance with EU requirements.

Women and men are equal under the law, and women are represented in government, business, and education.