Rules of Procedure

RULES OF PROCEDURE
OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (PoDZ-1) ^[1]

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

These Rules of Procedure regulate the organisation and work of the National Assembly and the exercise of the rights and duties of the deputies ^[2] .

Article 2

(1) Issues pertaining to the work of the National Assembly that are not regulated by these Rules of Procedure may be regulated by ordinance or some other act of the National Assembly in accordance with these Rules of Procedure.

(2) The working bodies of the National Assembly perform their tasks in accordance with these Rules of Procedure. Pursuant to these Rules of Procedure, their work may also be regulated by ordinances establishing the working bodies and by the rules of procedure of working bodies.

(3) Parliamentary inquiries are regulated by special rules of procedure to be adopted by the National Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of the deputies present.

Article 3

(1) The seat of the National Assembly is in Ljubljana.

(2) The National Assembly and its working bodies may also hold sessions outside the seat of the National Assembly.

Article 4

(1) The National Assembly conducts its proceedings in Slovene.

(2) The deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities have the right to speak and table motions, initiatives, questions, and other submissions in Italian or Hungarian. Their speeches and submissions are translated into Slovene.

Article 5

(1) The work of the National Assembly is open to the public unless otherwise provided by these Rules of Procedure.

(2) The manner of guaranteeing the openness of the work of the National Assembly is provided by these Rules of Procedure.

Article 6

(1) The National Assembly meets in regular and extraordinary sessions.

(2) Regular sessions are convened during regular annual terms of the National Assembly: during the spring term between 10 January and 15 July, and during the autumn term between 1 September and 20 December.

Article 7

The National Assembly is represented by the President of the National Assembly.

Article 8

(1) The National Assembly has an official seal.

(2) In the centre of the seal is the coat-of-arms of the Republic of Slovenia, surrounded by the inscription "Državni zbor Republike Slovenije".

II. CONSTITUTING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 9

The National Assembly is constituted at the first session at which the election of more than half of the deputies is confirmed.

Article 10**

(1) No later than five days before the first session of the National Assembly, the incumbent President of the National Assembly calls a meeting of the temporary leaders of the deputy groups and the deputies of the national communities to determine the draft agenda of the first session, the order of seating of the deputies in the chamber, the deputy groups whose members will hold the offices of chairman and deputy chairman on the Commission for Public Office and Elections and the number of members of this commission that belong to individual deputy groups, and possibly also to determine the deputy groups whose members will hold the offices of chairman and deputy chairman in other working bodies and the number of members of such working bodies belonging to individual deputy groups.

(2) Pending the formation of the Council of the President of the National Assembly, the temporary leaders of the deputy groups and the two deputies of the national communities decide on the proposals referred to in the first, second, and fourth indents of paragraph six of Article 21 of these Rules of Procedure and may propose a candidate for Secretary General of the National Assembly.

(3) The order of seating of the deputies in the chamber is determined by agreement among the deputy groups. If no agreement is reached, the order of seating is determined in a manner such that deputy seating among the vacant deputy seats is determined by the deputy groups in order from the largest to the smallest deputy group. Deputy groups with an equal number of members determine deputy seating in an order determined by prior lot.

Article 11

(1) Until deputy groups are formed in accordance with Article 16 of these Rules of Procedure, deputy groups consist of the deputies elected to the National Assembly from the same list of candidates, deputies elected from voters’ lists, and the deputies representing the national communities. The composition of a deputy group is established on the basis of the report on the election results.

(2) No later than three days after the publication of the ­report on the election results, the representatives of the lists forward the names of the temporary leaders of the deputy groups from the preceding paragraph to the incumbent President of the National Assembly.

Article 12

(1) Preparations for the first session of the National Assembly are the responsibility of the incumbent President of the National Assembly.

(2) The temporary leaders of the deputy groups inform the incumbent President of the National Assembly of the proposed candidates for chairman, deputy chairman, and members of the Commission for Public Office and Elections.

(3) The draft agenda of the first session includes the appointment of the chairman and deputy chairman of the Commission for Public Office and Elections, the confirmation of the election of deputies, and the election of the President of the National Assembly, and may also include the election of the Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly, the appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of the working bodies, and the appointment of the Secretary General of the National Assembly.

(4) Until the President has been elected, the first session of the National Assembly is chaired by the oldest deputy.

Article 13

(1) The Commission for Public Office and Elections examines the report on the election results, the confirmation of the election of deputies, and any complaints by candidates or representatives of the lists of candidates.

(2) The National Assembly decides on the confirmation of the election of deputies on the basis of the report of the Commission for Public Office and Elections on the examination of the confirmation of elections and the content and admissibility of any complaints by candidates or representatives of the lists of candidates.

(3) The National Assembly decides collectively on the confirmation of elections which are not in dispute, and on each disputed election individually.

(4) A deputy whose election is still in dispute may not vote on the confirmation of his election.

(5) It is deemed that by deciding on a disputed election, the National Assembly has also decided on any complaint submitted to the National Assembly by a candidate or representative of a list of candidates.

Article 14

Following the confirmation of the elections, the National Assembly elects the President of the National Assembly.

Article 15

If at the first session the National Assembly fails to elect the Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly and to appoint the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the working bodies and the Secretary General of the National Assembly, it must elect or appoint them no later than 30 days after being constituted.

Article 16

Deputies form deputy groups in accordance with Article 29 of these Rules of Procedure no later than seven days after the National Assembly has been constituted.

Article 17

The provisions of Article 13 of these Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis also to the procedure for confirming the election of a deputy replacing a deputy whose term of office has expired or a deputy whose term of office has been suspended due to his being elected President of the Government or appointed minister.

Article 18**

(1) Upon the confirmation of elections, deputies are issued deputy cards. In addition to personal data, deputy cards also state the immunity of deputies.

(2) Deputy cards are issued by the President of the National Assembly within 30 days of the confirmation of elections. The form and content of deputy cards are determined by the Commission for Public Office and Elections.

III. ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONING
OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

1. President and Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly

a) President of the National Assembly

Article 19

(1) The President of the National Assembly:

– represents the National Assembly,

– convenes and presides over the sessions of the National Assembly,

– signs laws and other acts adopted by the National Assembly,

– provides for the implementation of relations with the National Council, the President of the Republic, the Government, and other state authorities, as determined by the Constitution, the law, and these Rules of Procedure,

– provides for cooperation with the representative bodies of other states, international parliamentary institutions, and international bodies and organisations,

– provides for the implementation of these Rules of Procedure,

– refers issues for discussion in the working bodies of the National Assembly,

– decides on disputes between the working bodies of the National Assembly regarding competence,

– decides on deputies’ official trips abroad when such decision is not within the competence of the working bodies,

– performs other tasks in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and these Rules of Procedure.

(2) The President of the National Assembly performs his duties until the first session of the newly elected National Assembly.

b) Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly

Article 20

(1) The National Assembly has at most three Vice-Presidents, one of them belonging to the largest opposition deputy group. Vice-Presidents assist the President of the National Assembly in his work and perform, in agreement with the President, individual tasks from the scope of his work. They perform their duties until the first session of the newly elected National Assembly.

(2) If the President of the National Assembly is absent or otherwise engaged, he nominates a Vice-President as his substitute.

(3) If the President of the National Assembly has not nominated a Vice-President to substitute for him or if the President ceases to hold office, he is substituted for by the oldest Vice-President.

2. The Council of the President of the National Assembly

Article 21**

(1) The Council of the President of the National Assembly (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is the consultative body of the President. In cases provided by these Rules of Procedure, the Council is also competent to make decisions. The meetings of the Council are open to the public.

(2) The Council consists of the President and Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly, the leaders of the deputy groups, and the deputies of the national communities.

(3) The Secretary General of the National Assembly and the Head of the Legislative and Legal Service of the National Assembly participate in the work of the Council; the chairmen of the working bodies, the representatives of the Government, specialised staff members of the National Assembly, and other persons may also participate.

(4) The meetings of the Council are called and chaired by the President of the National Assembly. A motion to call a meeting of the Council may be tabled by any member of the Council. At the request of a deputy group, the President of the National Assembly calls a meeting of the Council within seven days of the tabling of such request.

(5) The President of the National Assembly forwards the materials necessary for a Council meeting to the members of the Council at least five days prior to the Council meeting, except for the issues referred to in the first and fourth indents of paragraph six of this article.

(6) The Council decides on:

– proposals to adopt a draft law by the urgent procedure, unless the President of the Government links a vote of confidence to the adoption of the law,

– proposals to discuss a draft law by the shortened procedure,

– proposals to hold a preliminary discussion on a law,

– the duration of sessions of the National Assembly and the time allocated for the discussion of individual items on the agenda, as well as on the allocation of speaking time to deputies or deputy groups and other participants,

– the number of seats in working bodies to be filled by individual deputy groups, and which deputy group is entitled to name the chairman or deputy chairman of an individual working body,

– the composition of National Assembly delegations to international parliamentary institutions, international organisations, and international bodies,

– the time limit by which the National Council may deliver its opinion on issues discussed at extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly, on items placed on the extended agenda of a session of the National Assembly, and on draft laws proposed by the urgent procedure,

– other issues where so provided by these Rules of Procedure.

(7) A meeting of the Council has a quorum if it is attended by the leaders of deputy groups whose members account for more than half of all deputies of the National Assembly. If also upon the second calling of such meeting no quorum exists and the issues to be discussed are urgent, the decisions which are within the competence of the Council are taken by the President of the National ­Assembly.

(8) When the Council decides, its decisions are adopted if the proposal for such secures the support of the leaders of deputy groups whose members account for more than half of all deputies of the National Assembly. The majority will of the Council is established by the President of the National Assembly.

(9) When the Council decides on the duration of a session of the National Assembly, the time allocated for the discussion of individual items on the agenda, and on the allocation of speaking time to deputies or deputy groups and other participants, the President of the National Assembly determines the time schedule of such session of the National Assembly in accordance with the decisions adopted.

(10) If within five days of the adoption of a decision regarding the issues referred to in paragraph six of this article, with the exception of the fourth, seventh, and eighth indents, or, regarding the issues referred to in the first indent, within the time limit determined by paragraph three of Article 143 of these Rules of Procedure, at least one fifth of the deputies disagrees in writing with the decision taken by the Council, the National Assembly decides on such decision without debate or explanation of the vote.

(11) A representative of such group of deputies referred to in the preceding paragraph which disagrees in writing with the decision of the Council may state the position of the group of deputies at a session of the National Assembly. The presentation of such position may not take more than five minutes.

Article 22

(1) The President of the National Assembly calls a meeting of the Council to consult on the notifications of the convening of sessions and draft agendas of sessions of the National Assembly, on other issues related to the work of the National Assembly and its working bodies, on the fulfilment of the conditions to form new deputy groups, on the conditions for the work of deputy groups, as well as on other issues where so provided by these Rules of Procedure.

(2) In the cases from the preceding paragraph, the President of the National Assembly decides on the basis of consultations with the leaders of deputy groups.

Article 23**

(1) The Council adopts the annual work programme of the National Assembly and the time schedule for at least two months.

(2) The time schedule indicates the days on which the sessions of the National Assembly and the meetings of the working bodies will be held, and determines the list of issues to be discussed and the days for the scheduled discussion of individual issues at meetings of the working bodies.

(3) In adopting the programme and schedule referred to in paragraph one of this article, the Council takes into account the Government’s programme for the current year, the proposals of deputy groups, and the proposals of the working bodies. In this respect it takes into account the time needed for consultation within a deputy group prior to the discussion of issues at sessions of the National Assembly or meetings of the working bodies, and the time needed for the work of deputies in their constituencies.

 

 

Article 24

The Council discusses parliamentary questions and motions related to the work of the National Assembly. The President of the National Assembly informs the deputies of the position of the Council with regard to such questions and motions.

3. The Secretary General and the services of the National Assembly

Article 25**

(1) The Secretary General of the National Assembly (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary General) heads the services of the National Assembly and performs other tasks provided by regulations, these Rules of Procedure, and other acts of the National Assembly.

(2) The Secretary General is appointed by the National Assembly on the proposal of the Council for a period lasting until the end of the term of the National Assembly which appointed him.

(3) In his work, the Secretary General is accountable to the National Assembly.

(4) The Secretary General may be subject to early dismissal from office:

– if he himself requests the dismissal,

– if he is unable to perform his office due to permanent loss of capacity to work,

– if, in his work, he does not comply with the regulations and general acts of the National Assembly or if he does not implement the decisions of the National Assembly without due cause or acts against such,

– if, due to unconscientious or incorrect work, he causes damage to the National Assembly or if he neglects or carelessly performs his duties so that disturbances in the functioning of the National Assembly arise or could arise,

– if he acts against the regulations on the incompatibility of holding public office with gainful activity.

(5) The Secretary General also ceases to hold office if he resigns before the expiry of his term of office.

(6) After ceasing to hold office or in the event of his early dismissal, the Secretary General must perform his office until a new Secretary General is appointed.

Article 26

The services of the National Assembly perform specialised, administrative, and other activities and technical tasks that ensure the conditions for the work of the National Assembly.

4. The Legislative and Legal Service of the National Assembly

Article 27**

(1) The National Assembly has a Legislative and Legal Service which delivers opinions on the conformity of draft laws, other acts, and amendments with the Constitution and the legal system, and on legislative and technical aspects of drafts (hereinafter referred to as the Legislative and Legal Service).

(2) The Head of the Legislative and Legal Service is appointed by the Commission for Public Office and Elections on the proposal of the Secretary General.

5. Deputy groups

Article 28

A deputy has the right to form a deputy group together with other deputies, to become a member or cease to be a member of an already formed deputy group, and to participate in it on an equal footing. A deputy may only be a member of one deputy group.

Article 29

(1) Deputies elected from the same list of candidates and deputies who are members of the same parliamentary party have the right to form only one deputy group. A deputy may only be a member of the deputy group of the same list of candidates as that on which he was elected, or of the deputy group of the parliamentary party of which he is a member.

(2) A deputy group referred to in the preceding paragraph may be formed by at least three deputies.

(3) Deputy groups may also be formed by deputies who were elected from voters’ lists, irrespective of their number.

(4) The two deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities together have the status of a deputy group.

Article 30**

(1) Deputy groups are represented by the leaders of the deputy groups or their substitutes. If a deputy group has more than 20 members, the leader of such deputy group may have two substitutes.

(2) The leader of a deputy group informs the President of the National Assembly of the formation of a deputy group, submits to him a list of the members and the statements of affiliation signed by them, and informs him of the names of his substitutes.

(3) The leader of a deputy group informs the President of the National Assembly of any changes in the composition of the deputy group within three days of the occurrence of such, and submits to him the signed statements of accession or withdrawal.

Article 31

(1) Two or more deputy groups may join into one deputy group.

(2) Deputies who were elected from the same list of candidates may form a new deputy group if the political party splits into two or more new political parties, if part of the members of this party forms a new political party, or if the coalition of political parties which submitted the same list of candidates breaks up. A new deputy group may be formed if it comprises at least three members.

(3) Deputies who were elected from voters’ lists and deputies who ceased to be members of a political party have the right to form a deputy group of unaffiliated deputies or to join such group if one already exists. In the course of a parliamentary term, only one group of unaffiliated deputies may be formed. Such deputy group may be formed if it comprises at least three members.

(4) On the proposal of the deputies who wish to form a new deputy group, the President of the National Assembly establishes whether the conditions for the formation of a new deputy group are met.

6. Working bodies

a) General provisions

Article 32**

(1) Working bodies are established in the National Assembly to monitor the state of affairs in individual areas, to prepare policy decisions in such areas, to formulate positions on particular issues, and to discuss draft laws and other acts of the National Assembly.

(2) On the basis of the law, the National Assembly may also establish other working bodies. The provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the composition, appointment, and tasks of working bodies apply mutatis mutandis also for the working bodies referred to in this paragraph, unless otherwise provided by law.

Article 33**

(1) The National Assembly establishes working bodies and determines their tasks on the proposal of the Council.

(2) Working bodies are composed of a chairman, as a general rule one deputy chairman, and the members. Their total number must be odd. The offices of chairman and deputy chairman of a given working body are, as a general rule, held by deputies of different deputy groups. If the chairman of a working body belongs to one of the deputy groups of the governing coalition, the office of deputy chairman will as a general rule be held by a member of an opposition deputy group, and vice versa.

(3) The leading positions and the majority of the seats on the Commission for Public Finance Control and on the Commission for Supervision of the Intelligence and Security Services are held by deputies of opposition deputy groups.

(4) In determining the number of members of an individual deputy group in each working body, the Council takes into account the size (number of members) of an individual deputy group; in allocating the seats in individual working bodies, it takes into account the ratio between the deputies of the governing coalition and the deputies of the opposition. As a general rule, each deputy group is guaranteed at least one seat in every working body.

(5) In the composition of working bodies and in the allocation of positions within them, the Council may also take into account the deputy group of unaffiliated deputies.

(6) In allocating the leading positions in working bodies, account is taken of the size of the deputy group, as well as of the allocation of other positions in the National Assembly, and of the membership of deputies in delegations to international parliamentary institutions, international organisations, and international bodies.

(7) A deputy group nominates its members to an individual working body according to the number of seats it is entitled to in such working body, and informs the President of the National Assembly thereof.

(8) Following the appointment of the chairmen and deputy chairmen and the nomination of the members of working bodies pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the composition of working bodies is published in the National Assembly’s gazette. Changes in the composition of working bodies are published in the same manner.

Article 34

(1) A deputy has the right and duty to state which working bodies of the National Assembly he wishes to be a member of. He forwards his statement to the leader of the deputy group of which he is a member. If the deputy is not a member of any deputy group, he forwards his statement in writing to the President of the National Assembly.

(2) The deputies of the national communities are members of the Commission for National Communities. They forward their statements regarding the other working bodies which they wish to be members of to the President of the National Assembly in writing.

b) Standing commissions of the National Assembly

Article 35**

The National Assembly has the following standing commissions:

– the Commission for Public Office and Elections,

– the Commission for the Rules of Procedure,

– the Commission for National Communities,

– the Commission for Public Finance Control,

– the Commission for Supervision of the Intelligence and Security Services,

– the Commission for Relations with Slovenes in Neighbouring and Other Countries.

Article 36

The Commission for Public Office and Elections:

– performs tasks related to the confirmation of the election of deputies,

– discusses issues related to the immunity of deputies, Constitutional Court judges, judges, and the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsmen for human rights,

– informs the Assembly of cases which result in the termination of a deputy’s term of office,

– discusses draft laws and other acts regulating the status and rights of deputies and the Secretary General,

– discusses issues within the competence of the National Assembly regarding elections, appointments, and dismissals where so provided by law, these Rules of Procedure, or other acts of the National Assembly,

– submits proposals to the National Assembly on the appointment or election of officials where so provided by law, these Rules of Procedure, or other acts of the National Assembly,

– gives consent to the appointment of officials where so provided by law,

– adopts acts on wages and other personal remunerations and reimbursements, as well as on the leave of the deputies and Secretary General,

– performs other tasks provided by law, these Rules of Procedure, or other acts of the National Assembly.

 

Article 37

The Commission for the Rules of Procedure:

– discusses the draft Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly and the draft rules of procedure on parliamentary inquiry and the amendments thereof,

– monitors the implementation of these Rules of Procedure and the rules of procedure on parliamentary inquiry,

– interprets these Rules of Procedure and the rules of procedure on parliamentary inquiry,

– discusses initiatives regarding amendments to these Rules of Procedure and the rules of procedure on parliamentary inquiry,

– delivers opinions, at the request of deputies or working bodies, on the conformity of other acts of the National Assembly and its working bodies which regulate the organisation and work of the National Assembly and its working bodies with these Rules of Procedure,

– performs other tasks provided by these Rules of Procedure.

Article 38

The Commission for National Communities:

– discusses draft laws and other acts regulating the status and rights of the autochthonous Italian and Hungarian national communities and their members,

– discusses issues regarding the status and rights of the Italian and Hungarian national communities,

– discusses issues related to the development of education as well as the cultural, educational, and economic activity of such communities,

– discusses issues related to public information and the publishing activities of such communities,

– discusses issues pertaining to the development of contacts between the Italian and Hungarian national communities and their nations of origin,

– proposes measures on the exercise of the rights of both national communities.

Article 39**

The Commission for Public Finance ­Control:

– controls the implementation of the state budget and the financial plans of the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia, the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia, and the ­public institute Radiotelevizija Slovenija in terms of legality, purpose and efficiency of spending, and the accuracy of their financial statements on the basis of Court of Audit reports,

– monitors the implementation of the budgets of local communities which receive financial resources to balance their accounts, and controls the intended use of resources allocated from the state budget,

– controls the implementation of financial plans and the accuracy of the financial statements of public funds, public enterprises, and public institutes founded by the Republic of Slovenia,

– reports to the National Assembly on the control performed and proposes necessary measures.

Article 40**

The Commission for Supervision of the Intelligence and Security Services:

– supervises the activities of the intelligence and security service within the Government and of the intelligence and security service within the ministry responsible for defence, and the compliance of such activities with the national security policy of the Republic of Slovenia and Government guidelines,

– supervises the application of legally provided special forms, methods, and measures for data gathering used by the intelligence and security services referred to in the preceding indent and by the security services within the ministry responsible for the interior,

– reports to the National Assembly once a year on such supervision, and proposes necessary measures.

 

 

c) The tasks and manner of work of the working bodies

Article 41**

(1) A working body discusses the issues which pertain to its scope of work and are submitted to the National Assembly as the working body responsible. Other working bodies may consider such issues as the working bodies concerned.

(2) The working body responsible for dealing with a particular issue is determined by the President of the National Assembly.

(3) The working body responsible must be informed of all proposals, initiatives, and questions addressed to it by civil society.

(4) As a general rule, the working body responsible discusses reports forwarded to the National Assembly on the basis of laws or other regulations within three months of the National Assembly receiving such. A discussion thereon at a session of the National Assembly is held if so provided by these Rules of Procedure or if so proposed by the working body responsible.

Article 42

(1) The working body responsible draws up a report concerning the discussion of a particular issue and forwards it to the President of the National Assembly. Such report includes:

– the essential subject matter of the debate and the proposals made during the debate,

– the positions adopted with regard to the opinions of the working bodies concerned, the Legislative and Legal Service, the National Council, the President of the Republic, and the Government,

– the positions regarding the proposals made during the debate,

– the opinion delivered by the working body responsible, including the decisions proposed for adoption by the National Assembly,

– separate opinions if so required by individual members.

(2) The working body responsible appoints a rapporteur from among its own members to present the report at a session of the National Assembly.

Article 43

(1) A representative of the working body concerned is invited to the meeting of the working body responsible at which the opinion of the working body concerned is discussed.

(2) The chairmen of the working body responsible and the working body concerned may agree to hold a joint meeting of both working bodies.

(3) If the working body responsible does not adopt the opinion of the working body concerned, the rapporteur of the working body concerned may present such opinion at a session of the National Assembly.

Article 44

As the working body concerned, a working body may also discuss issues regarding cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the representative bodies of other states, international parliamentary institutions, as well as international organisations and international bodies which pertain to its scope of work.

Article 45

(1) Within its scope of work, a working body may ask the Government and other state authorities as well as public institutes, public enterprises, and public funds founded by the state to provide explanations and information which it needs to perform its tasks.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph one of this article, at least one third of the members of the Commission for Supervision of the Work of the Intelligence and Security Services and of the Commission for Budgetary and Other Public Finance Control may request, in writing, that the Government, other state authorities, public institutes, public enterprises, and public funds founded by the state, provide information and documents pertaining to the scope of work of such working body. The chairman of the working body must ­immediately forward the request received with the signatures of at least one third of the members to the head of the authority, institute, enterprise, or fund.

(3) The Government, other state authorities, public institutes, public enterprises, and public funds founded by the state must immediately forward the information and documents requested by the working body referred to in paragraph one of this article or one third of its members referred to in paragraph two of this article, unless such is contrary to the law.

(4) The exercise of supervision over the application of special forms, methods, and measures for data gathering which, in accordance with the law, falls within the competence of the Commission for Supervision of the Work of the Intelligence and Security Services, may be requested in writing by at least one third of the members of the working body. The chairman of such working body must guarantee the exercise of supervision immediately upon receiving such request.

Article 46

(1) In order to gather information, a working body may organise public presentations of opinions and invite experts and other persons who might provide useful information.

(2) The calling of a public presentation of opinions, together with issues on which information needs to be gathered, is announced in the media.

(3) The working body may request that the persons invited to the public presentation of opinions deliver their opinions also in writing.

Article 47

(1) The chairman of the working body calls and chairs the meetings of the working body and public presentations of opinions, appoints rapporteurs to discuss individual issues at meetings of the working body, and provides for the drawing up of reports and decisions of the working body.

(2) The deputy chairman of the working body assists the chairman in his work and acts as his substitute if he is absent or otherwise engaged.

Article 48**

(1) Together with the notification of the calling of the meeting of a working body, no later than 14 days prior to the day determined as the day of the meeting, members are sent the agenda, the eventual opinion of the Government if it is not itself a proposer, the opinion of the Legislative and Legal Service, and the possible opinions of the public concerned.

(2) In cases of urgency, meetings of working bodies may also be called in a shorter period of time (urgent meetings) pursuant to a decision of the National Assembly or the Council, at the request of one third of the members of the working body or deputy group, or pursuant to the decision of the chairman of the working body. Requests made by one third of the members of the working body or deputy group must be accompanied by materials containing the proposed decisions.

(3) Two working bodies at most may hold their meetings simultaneously.

Article 49

If it is necessary that the members of a working body directly examine the situation in a certain area or in an individual field, the chairman of the working body may, upon prior consent of the majority of all members of the working body and of the President of the National Assembly, call a meeting of the working body also outside the seat of the National Assembly.

Article 50

The chairman of the working body draws up the agenda of a working body meeting in accordance with the work programme of the National Assembly, the time schedule and draft agenda of the session of the National Assembly, the decision of the National Assembly or the Council, and the decisions of the working body.

Article 51

(1) The proposers or their representatives, the representatives of the Government, and the representatives of the Legislative and Legal Service are invited to attend the meeting of a working body to discuss individual items on the agenda and may participate in the debate.

(2) The representatives of the institutions whose work is directly related to the subject matter of the discussion, as well as experts and representatives of the public concerned, may be invited to attend the meeting of a working body to discuss individual items on the agenda and may deliver and explain their opinions and positions regarding the issue under discussion.

 

Article 52

(1) The meeting of a working body has a quorum if more than half of the members are in attendance.

(2) If no quorum exists, the discussion of issues which require no deciding may proceed.

(3) When a meeting at which no quorum exists is attended by at least one third of the members, the members present may unanimously agree to discuss the issues which require deciding and adopt decisions by correspondence meeting. Following the debate, the members present take a position on the proposal which is subject to deciding. The chairman of the working body calls a correspondence meeting and invites the members of the working body which were not present at the meeting to present in due time their position on the proposal to be voted on by the working body. If at least one third of the members of the working body opposes the correspondence meeting, the proposal is voted on at the next meeting of the working body.

Article 53

The Commission for National Communities adopts decisions that only concern the rights and status of the national communities upon consent of the deputies of the national communities.

Article 54

(1) If for justifiable reasons a deputy is not able to attend a meeting of the working body of which he is a member, he may be substituted for at such meeting by a deputy who belongs to the same deputy group with all the rights and duties of the full member of the working body, unless otherwise provided by the act establishing the working body or by some other act of the National Assembly.

(2) A deputy who substitutes for a justifiably absent deputy must present the authorisation of the leader of the deputy group.

Article 55

(1) A deputy also has the right to attend the meetings of working bodies of which he is not a member, unless otherwise provided for individual working bodies by these Rules of Procedure or by the ordinance establishing the working body.

(2) If a deputy attends a meeting of a working body of which he is not a member he may take part in the debate but is not entitled to vote.

Article 56

At the meetings of working bodies, for issues not specifically regulated by these Rules of Procedure, the provisions of these Rules of Procedure that refer to sessions of the National Assembly apply mutatis mutandis.

7. Sessions of the National Assembly

a) Convening of sessions

Article 57

(1) The President of the National Assembly convenes regular sessions in accordance with the work programme of the ­National Assembly, pursuant to a decision of the National Assembly, an agreement reached by the Council, or on the proposal of the Government.

(2) The National Assembly holds regular sessions during regular annual terms, as a general rule every month during the last seven working days.

(3) Pursuant to a decision of the National Assembly or an agreement reached by the Council, regular sessions may also be convened on other days.

Article 58

(1) An extraordinary session is convened by the President of the National Assembly at the request of at least one quarter of the deputies or of the President of the Republic no later than 15 days from the tabling of the request.

(2) An extraordinary session may be convened by the President of the National Assembly on the proposal of the Government or pursuant to a decision by the Council in the event of issues that can not be postponed and can not be placed in time on the agenda of a regular session:

– if a law is proposed for adoption by the urgent procedure,

– if the decision of the National Assembly is tied to a deadline provided by the Constitution, law, or these Rules of Procedure,

– in the event of issues related to the expiry of the term of office or confirmation of the election of a deputy and to the immunity of deputies or other holders of public office, or issues concerning elections, appointments, and dismissals,

– in the event of decisions referred to in Article 92 of the Constitution.

(3) A request or proposal on the convening of an extraordinary session must indicate the reasons for it being convened. The request or proposal must include the materials that refer to issues to be voted on by the National Assembly.

Article 59

(1) The notification of the convening of a session and the draft agenda are drawn up by the President of the National Assembly upon consultation with the Council in accordance with the work programme of the Assembly, the decisions of the National Assembly, or the requests of the proposers of the convening of the session.

(2) The draft agenda may only include the issues that meet the conditions for discussion provided by these Rules of Procedure.

(3) The President of the National Assembly places on the draft agenda one issue on the proposal of each opposition deputy group if it meets the conditions for discussion as provided by these Rules of Procedure.

Article 60**

(1) The notification of the convening of a session together with the draft agenda and the materials for the session are sent to the deputies no later than seven days before the day set for the session.

(2) An extraordinary session may also be convened in a shorter period of time than that of the preceding paragraph. The draft ­agenda of the extraordinary session and the materials for the session may be submitted to the deputies at the session.

(3) The notification of the convening of the session and the materials for the session are also sent to the President of the National Council, the President of the Republic, and the Government.

(4) The time limits referred to in these Rules of Procedure do not apply to extraordinary sessions.

Article 61

(1) The National Assembly can not decide on issues for which the relevant materials have not been previously sent or submitted to the deputies.

(2) The National Assembly can not decide on issues on which the working body responsible has not taken a position unless otherwise provided by these Rules of Procedure.

b) Conduct of sessions

Article 62

Sessions of the National Assembly are chaired by the President of the National Assembly or by a Vice-President nominated by him.

Article 63

(1) When the chairperson opens a session, he informs the National Assembly of which deputies have informed him that they are unable to attend the session.

(2) The chairperson informs the National Assembly of the persons invited to attend the session.

Article 64**

(1) At the beginning of the session the National Assembly determines the agenda.

(2) In determining the agenda, the National Assembly first decides on proposals to withdraw individual items from the agenda, and thereafter on proposals to extend the agenda. Items placed on the draft agenda pursuant to paragraph three of Article 59 of these Rules of Procedure may be withdrawn from the agenda only on the proposal of the deputy group which proposed that the item be placed on the agenda.

(3) The proposals to withdraw individual items from the agenda and the proposals to extend the agenda are submitted to the President of the National Assembly by no later than noon of the day prior to the opening of the session.

(4) If the draft agenda includes a proposal or request which pursuant to the Constitution, law, or these Rules of Procedure requires the support of a certain number of deputies, a deputy may withdraw his support for such proposal or request by the deadline referred to in the preceding paragraph, and informs the President of the National Assembly thereof in writing.

(5) Items that the working body responsible proposes be withdrawn from the agenda and placed on the agenda of the next session are withdrawn from the agenda without debate or vote. Items which have already been withdrawn from the agenda once as well as items placed on the agenda on the basis of paragraph one of Article 58 and paragraph three of Article 59 of these Rules of Procedure may not be withdrawn.

(6) The National Assembly may decide to extend the agenda only if the reasons for such have arisen after the convening of the session and if the deputies have been sent or submitted the material constituting the basis for placing the item on the agenda.

(7) Under the conditions referred to in the preceding paragraph, the agenda of the session may only be extended to items provided in paragraph two of Article 58 of these Rules of Procedure.

(8) Irrespective of the provisions of paragraphs six and seven of this article, the agenda may also be extended to deciding on the request referred to in paragraph ten of Article 21 of these Rules of Procedure.

(9) If the proposal to extend the agenda is adopted, the debate and deciding on the item placed on the extended agenda are not subject to the deadlines provided by these Rules of Procedure.

(10) No debate among deputies is possible with regard to proposals concerning the agenda. Positions on such proposals may be forwarded by the proposer, the Government where it is not itself the proposer, and deputy groups. An oral presentation of such may not exceed three minutes. The proposers may provide an additional explanation of reasons for their proposals concerning the agenda, which may not exceed five minutes.

(11) If the Council does not accept the Government’s proposal to adopt a law by the urgent procedure and the President of the ­Government ties the issue of confidence to the adoption of the law by the urgent procedure, the adoption of the law by the urgent ­procedure is placed on the agenda of the session of the National ­Assembly without debate or vote.

Article 65

(1) Individual items on the agenda are discussed in a determined order. During the session, the National Assembly may change the order of discussion of individual items on the agenda no more than twice, provided that such is not opposed by one third of the deputies present.

(2) The leader of a deputy group may announce the absence of all members of his deputy group from the discussion of a given item on the agenda, and must state the reasons for such.

Article 66

(1) At the beginning of the discussion of each item on the agenda, the proposer or his representative may provide an additional explanation.

(2) The proposer or his representative must provide an additional explanation when so decided by the National Assembly.

(3) After the proposer or his representative, the floor is given to the rapporteurs of the working bodies, the representative of the Government, and the representatives of the deputy groups. The floor is then given to deputies in the order in which they have asked to speak.

(4) The proposer or his representative and the representative of the Government may be given the floor also during the debate among the deputies.

(5) If the chairperson of the National Assembly establishes that a certain legal issue should be settled at the session, he invites the representative of the Legislative and Legal Service to state its legal opinion at the session. The representative of the Legislative and Legal Service may request an appropriate amount of time to prepare such opinion.

Article 67

(1) The debates among the deputies and other participants to the session are determined in accordance with these Rules of Procedure.

(2) The Council determines the time allotted for each individual item on the agenda and the speaking time of deputies, deputy groups, and other participants to the session. The speaking time of deputies and other participants at the session may not be less than five minutes, while the speaking time of deputy groups may not be less than ten minutes, unless the Council determines a shorter time with the consent of the leaders of all deputy groups.

(3) If any of the deputy groups disagrees with the decision taken by the Council concerning the speaking time of deputy groups for each individual item on the agenda, it may require that the speaking time of such deputy group be determined by multiplying the number of members of the deputy group by the speaking time of deputies, which can not exceed five minutes, whereby the total speaking time of the deputy group can not be less than 20 minutes or more than 90 minutes. The speaking time of an individual deputy group may be determined in the manner stated in the previous sentence for five items on the agenda; the speaking time so determined is doubled in the discussion of the draft state budget, the supplementary budget, and amendments to the state budget, and interpellations.

(4) The deputy group must present such request referred to in the preceding paragraph at the meeting of the Council at which the decision on the speaking time of deputy groups is taken.

(5) On the proposal of the chairperson or a deputy, the National Assembly may decide that a speaker may speak on the same subject only once.

(6) On the proposal of the chairperson, the National Assembly may decide that the time for discussion of an item or the speaking time be extended, but only for a maximum of one hour.

(7) The chairperson determines the order of speakers such that deputies from all deputy groups may speak.

Article 68

(1) Requests to speak must be submitted in writing to the President of the National Assembly by no later than noon of the day prior to the beginning of the discussion of a certain item on the agenda.

(2) The provision of the preceding paragraph does not apply to the second reading of a draft law, or in the third reading to the discussion of articles to which amendments have been tabled.

Article 69

A deputy who wishes to speak on the application of the Rules of Procedure (a procedural question) is given the floor by the chairperson immediately upon his request. The speech of such deputy must not exceed three minutes. The chairperson decides on the application of the Rules of Procedure.

Article 70

Any speaker has the right to reply to the statements of another speaker (replication) if such relate to his own statements or if he believes that his statements were misunderstood or misinterpreted. The chairperson gives him the floor immediately upon his request. The replication must be limited to the necessary explanation and may not exceed three minutes. A replication to such replication is not allowed unless the chairperson evaluates that the references in the replication were incorrect.

Article 71

(1) If the time allocated for a particular debate has not expired after the list of those who asked to speak has been exhausted, the chairperson asks whether anyone else also wishes to speak. The speaking time of those who respond to such call may be limited by the chairperson to a certain amount of time within the time still available for the debate. When the chairperson establishes that the time allocated for the debate has expired or that there are no other requests to speak, he closes the debate.

(2) If draft decisions or positions need to be prepared on the basis of the debate, the chairperson suspends the discussion of the relevant agenda item. The discussion of such agenda item resumes upon the submission of the necessary draft decisions or positions.

Article 72

(1) Prior to the final voting on the draft decision, the representative of the deputy group may explain the vote of the deputy group. His speech may not exceed three minutes.

(2) Prior to the final voting on the draft decision, a deputy has the right to explain his vote. His speech may not exceed two minutes.

(3) The provisions of the preceding two paragraphs do not apply to voting by secret ballot and to deciding on procedural motions.

Article 73**

(1) The chairperson may suspend the work of the National Assembly during a session and determine when it will resume.

(2) The chairperson suspends the work of the National Assembly when so required by the leader of a deputy group in order to consult with the deputy group prior to voting. A deputy group may require such suspension only once for every item on the agenda. Such suspension may not exceed 45 minutes unless otherwise ­decided by the National Assembly on the basis of a reasoned proposal by the leader of the deputy group. Upon the resumption of a suspended session, the representative of the deputy group that required the suspension presents the deputy group's position. The presentation of such position may not exceed three minutes.

(3) The chairperson suspends the work of the National Assembly if it is established that for voting a quorum no longer exists, if consultations are necessary prior to voting, and in other cases where so determined by the ­National Assembly. If the National Assembly decides that it is necessary to obtain the opinions of working ­bodies, the Legislative and Legal Service, or the ­Government, the chairperson suspends the discussion of the relevant item on the agenda, and may also suspend the session of the National Assembly.

Article 74

(1) The chairperson, a deputy group, the proposer, or the Government where it is not itself the proposer, may propose that the debate or the deciding on the issue under consideration be adjourned until a subsequent session. The adjournment of an issue which was placed on the agenda in accordance with paragraph three of ­Article 59 of these Rules of Procedure until a subsequent session may only be proposed by the deputy group on whose proposal the issue was placed on the agenda. The National Assembly decides on such proposal pursuant to the procedure provided in paragraph nine of Article 64 of these Rules of Procedure.

(2) When all items on the agenda have been exhausted, the National Assembly closes the session.

c) Maintaining order at sessions

Article 75

(1) The chairperson is responsible for maintaining order at sessions.

(2) No person may speak at a session of the National Assembly until he has been given the floor by the chairperson. The speaker may only speak about an item on the agenda.

(3) The chairperson ensures that no one disturbs a speaker while speaking. The speaker may only be interrupted by the chairperson calling him to order.

Article 76

The chairperson may take the following measures if order at a session is violated:

– issue a warning,

– withdraw the floor,

– expel a person from the session or part of the session.

 

Article 77

A deputy or any other participant at a session may be issued a warning if he speaks without having been given the floor by the chairperson, if he interrupts another speaker, if he speaks about an issue which is not on the agenda, or if he otherwise violates order at the session and the provisions of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 78

(1) The floor may be withdrawn from a deputy or any other participant at a session who, by speaking, violates order at the session and the provisions of these Rules of Procedure, and who has already been issued two warnings and called on to respect order and the provisions of these Rules of Procedure.

(2) The deputy may object to such withdrawal of the floor. The National Assembly decides on such objection without debate or ­explanation of the vote.

Article 79

(1) A deputy or any other participant at a session may be expelled from the session or part of the session if he, despite two warnings or withdrawal of the floor, violates order at the session by rendering the work of the National Assembly impossible.

(2) The deputy or other participant at the session for whom the measure of expulsion from the session or part of the session has been ordered, must immediately leave the chamber. The absence of the deputy from the session for the duration of such measure is deemed to be an unjustified absence from the session.

(3) A deputy for whom the measure of expulsion from the session or part of the session has been ordered may, within three days, file an objection with the National Assembly, which decides on such objection at the next session without debate or explanation of the vote.

Article 80

(1) The chairperson decides on the expulsion from the chamber and from the premises where the session is held of any person in the audience who violates order at the session. In the event of serious violations of order, the chairperson may decide to expel the entire audience.

(2) If the chairperson is not able to maintain order at a session of the National Assembly through regular measures, he suspends the session.

č) Decision-making

Article 81

The National Assembly adopts valid decisions if a majority of all deputies are present at the session. When a two-thirds majority of all deputies is required in order to adopt a decision, the National Assembly adopts valid decisions if at least two-thirds of all deputies are present at the session.

Article 82

(1) The presence of deputies is established by means of an electronic voting system, by show of hands, or by roll call.

(2) The presence of deputies is established by show of hands or by roll call when the electronic voting system is not working or if there is no such system in the room where the session is being held.

(3) The manner of establishing presence is determined by the chairperson.

(4) In the event of a roll call, each deputy confirms his presence by calling out the word “present”. The chairperson then establishes whether a deputy is present or absent. The presence or absence of a deputy is recorded on the list next to the deputy’s full name.

Article 83

(1) Presence at a session is established by vote. If after the first vote no quorum exists, the vote may be repeated twice. The second vote immediately follows the first. If there is still no quorum, the session is suspended for 10 minutes before the third vote. If there is still no quorum at the third vote, the chairperson suspends the session and determines when it will resume.

(2) It is deemed that a deputy was not present for the vote if he was not present at the third vote.

Article 84

The National Assembly decides by a majority of votes cast by those deputies present, except where a different majority is provided by the Constitution, by law, or by these Rules of Procedure.

Article 85

(1) The National Assembly, as a general rule, decides by public vote.

(2) In the case of elections, appointments, and dismissals, and where so provided by the Constitution, law, or these Rules of Procedure, the National Assembly decides by secret ballot.

(3) The National Assembly may also decide to hold a secret ballot to decide on:

– impeachment of the President of the Republic (Article 109 of the Constitution),

– impeachment of the President of the Government or of a minister (Article 119 of the Constitution).

(4) In the cases referred to in the preceding paragraph, voting by secret ballot may be proposed by the proposer or a deputy group.

Article 86

(1) Voting takes place at the end of the debate on the proposal which is to be decided.

(2) At the beginning of the session or during the session the chairperson may determine when voting on individual proposals which are to be decided will take place.

Article 87

(1) Public voting is carried out by means of an electronic voting system or by show of hands.

(2) Voting is carried out by show of hands when the electronic voting system is not working or if there is no such system in the room where the session is being held.

Article 88

(1) If voting is carried out by means of an electronic voting system, the chairperson calls the deputies to vote. Deputies express their votes by pressing a button on the electronic voting system.

(2) If voting is carried out by show of hands, the chairperson first asks who is in favour of the proposal and then who is against it.

Article 89

(1) If voting is carried out by means of an electronic voting system, each deputy may request a computer printout of the voting.

(2) A computer printout of the voting may also be requested by the proposer or a representative thereof, the representative of the Government, and representatives of the media, as well as, when voting on elections, appointments, and dismissals, by persons whose election, appointment, or dismissal has been voted on.

Article 90

The chairperson establishes and announces the result of the vote after each vote has been carried out.

Article 91

(1) A secret ballot is carried out by means of ballot papers.

(2) For each vote 90 ballot papers are printed.

(3) The ballot papers are the same in size, shape, and colour and are certified with the seal of the National Assembly.

(4) The ballot paper contains the proposal which is to be decided, and the declarations “for” and “against”. At the bottom of the ballot paper, the word “for” is on the right and the word “against” on the left. Deputies vote by circling the word “for” or the word “against”.

(5) Uncompleted ballot papers and ballot papers on which the decision of the deputy is not clearly visible are void.

(6) The text of ballot papers for elections, appointments, and dismissals is determined by these Rules of Procedure in the part where elections, appointments, and dismissals are regulated.

Article 92**

(1) Voting by secret ballot is conducted by a commission composed of the chairperson and four deputies elected by the National Assembly on the proposal of the chairperson. The Secretary General or his deputy participate in the work of the commission.

(2) Voting by secret ballot takes place in the room where the session is held. During the vote, entry to such room is not permitted to persons who are not participating in the carrying out of the vote.

(3) Each deputy is given a ballot paper upon approaching the desk of the chairperson and stating his full name.

(4) Each deputy completes the ballot paper in the voting booth and deposits it in the ballot box.

(5) Before the voting, the chairperson determines when the voting will start and when it will end.

(6) At the end of such period the chairperson closes the voting.

Article 93

(1) When voting is over, the commission withdraws to a separate room to establish the result of the vote. Entry to such room is not permitted to persons who are not participating in the establishment of the result of the vote.

(2) Before opening the ballot box, the commission counts the undistributed ballot papers and places them in a special envelope which it seals.

(3) The establishment of the result of the vote consists of determining:

– the number of distributed ballot papers,

– the number of ballot papers cast,

– the number of void ballot papers,

– the number of valid ballot papers,

– the number of votes cast “for” and the number of votes cast “against”, or, in elections or appointments where several candidates are standing for the same office, the number of votes for each individual candidate,

– if the proposal has or has not been passed with the required majority, or, in elections or appointments where several candidates are standing for the same office, which candidate has been elected or appointed.

(4) A record of the establishment of the result of the vote is drawn up, which is signed by all members of the commission.

(5) The chairperson announces the result of the vote at a session of the National Assembly.

d) Verbatim records of sessions

Article 94

(1) Verbatim records are made of the work at sessions of the National Assembly (tape recordings of sessions and transcriptions thereof).

(2) A speaker has the right to edit the transcription of his speech within three days from speaking at a session of the National Assembly. The corrections may not alter the meaning and the essence of his speech. If any doubt arises concerning such, the President of the National Assembly decides on the admissibility of the correction. The speaker authorises the corrections of the transcription with his signature.

(3) Audio-video recordings may also be made of the work at a National Assembly session.

8. Attendance of deputies at sessions of the National Assembly and meetings of its working bodies

Article 95

(1) A deputy who is unable to attend a session of the National Assembly or a meeting of the working body of which he is a member must inform the President of the National Assembly or the chairman of the working body of his absence and the reasons therefor no later than one day prior to the beginning of the session or meeting or one day prior to the resumption of an adjourned session or meeting, unless he is prevented from doing so by force majeure.

(2) The following are deemed to be justified absences of a deputy:

– justified absence from work as defined by the regulations on employment relations and health insurance,

– absence related to work assignments approved by the President of the National Assembly,

– extraordinary leave approved in accordance with the law and an act of the Commission for Public Office and Elections,

– absence of the deputy from the meeting of a working body due to simultaneous participation in the work of another working body of which he is a member,

– absence of the deputy from the meeting of a working body of which he is a member if, following authorisation granted by the leader of the deputy group, he is substituted for at the meeting by another deputy of the same deputy group,

– absence due to the deputy’s activities in a constituency during the days determined for activities in constituencies by the work programme of the National Assembly,

– absence due to the announced and explained absence of all members of the deputy group of which he is a member from the discussion of a particular item on the agenda,

– absence related to work assignments approved by the leader of the deputy group.

(3) Absence due to circumstances considered to be force majeure is also deemed to be a justified absence of a deputy.

(4) The leader of a deputy group may approve an absence related to work assignments referred to in the last indent of paragraph two of this article only if he ensures that not more than one third of the deputies of this deputy group will be justifiably absent from the session of the National Assembly or meeting of a working body due to other reasons referred to in paragraph two of this article.

(5) The leader of the deputy group must inform the President of the National Assembly or chairman of the working body and the Commission for Public Office and Elections of absence related to work assignments referred to in the preceding paragraph no later than one day prior to the session of the National Assembly or meeting of the working body, or no later than one day prior to the resumption of an adjourned session or meeting.

Article 96

After a session of the National Assembly or meeting of the working body, the Secretary General or the secretary of the working body informs the Commission for Public Office and Elections in writing of the absence of deputies from the session of the National Assembly or meeting of the working body.

Article 97

A deputy is not entitled to salary, the allowance for meals during work time, and reimbursement of travel expenses to and from work for days of unjustified absence from a session of the National Assembly or a meeting of a working body.

Article 98

(1) On the basis of the notification of a deputy’s absence from a session, the chairman of the Commission for Public Office and Elections notifies the deputy who was unjustifiably absent of the resulting reduction in his salary and other personal remunerations.

(2) A deputy has the right to object to the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph. The objection is sent in writing to the commission within 8 days from the receipt of the notification.

(3) The objection suspends the execution of the measure.

(4) The commission decides on the objection with a ­decision that either sustains the objection and changes or rescinds the measure, or that overrules the objection and confirms the measure to reduce the salary and other personal remunerations. The deputy who lodged the objection is informed of the decision taken by the commission in writing.

Article 99

The Commission for Public Office and Elections determines the detailed procedure for establishing the liability of the deputy with regard to unjustified absence from a session of the National Assembly or meeting of a working body.

 

9. Openness of work

Article 100

(1) The National Assembly informs the public of its work and of its decisions and positions on the issues discussed.

(2) Draft acts and other materials discussed by the ­National Assembly are published in their entirety or in summary in the gazette of the National Assembly.

(3) National Assembly decisions adopted following the discussion of individual issues are also published in the gazette of the National Assembly.

(4) Reports and opinions of working bodies are published in the gazette of the National Assembly where so provided by these Rules of Procedure or so decided by the President of the National Assembly.

Article 101**

(1) Sessions of the National Assembly and meetings of its working bodies are open to the public.

(2) A session or a meeting or part thereof may be closed to the public if the National Assembly or the working body discusses materials containing confidential information or other information that is protected pursuant to the law.

(3) The openness of sessions of the National Assembly or meetings of working bodies is guaranteed if representatives of the media are allowed to attend such session or meeting directly in the room where the session or meeting being is held, or if they are allowed to follow the session or meeting by means of technical devices.

(4) On the proposal of the chairperson, the working body responsible, a deputy group, or the Government, the National Assembly may decide that a session or part of a session be closed to the public even if materials containing such information as is referred to in paragraph two of this article are not being discussed, where so provided by these Rules of Procedure or where it can be justifiably expected that questions related to such information might arise during the debate. The National Assembly adopts a decision ­thereon at a closed session.

(5) The chairperson decides who, in addition to the deputies, may be present at a session or part of a session closed to the public.

(6) Verbatim records and audio-video recordings of the work at closed sessions or closed part of a session are made unless otherwise decided by the National Assembly. Only deputies, the proposer, the representative of the Government, and other participants at such session are allowed access to such records.

(7) The chairperson determines the wording of the official notice of a closed session or closed part of a session.

(8) The provisions of paragraphs four to seven of this article apply mutatis mutandis also to the meetings of National Assembly working bodies.

Article 102

(1) Representatives of the media have the right to be present at open sessions of the National Assembly and meetings of its working bodies and to inform the public of their work.

(2) Representatives of the media have access to information and documentary material, draft acts of the National Assembly, notices and reports on the work of the National Assembly and its working bodies, the gazette of the National Assembly, and other publications issued by the National Assembly, as well as to all public documents made available on the computer network of the National Assembly.

(3) The conditions for the work of media representatives in the National Assembly and the manner of using the public documents available on the computer network of the National Assembly are regulated by rules issued by the Secretary General.

Article 103

Persons who have not been invited to a session may attend the session in accordance with the rules of internal order determined by the Secretary General, upon agreement with the Council.

 

Article 104**

(1) The public is not allowed access to documents and materials of the National Assembly containing confidential or other information that is protected pursuant to the law.

(2) A deputy may not release to the public any information from documents or materials containing such information as is referred to in the preceding paragraph, nor any information from a closed session or meeting or closed part thereof.

(3) The treatment of confidential material is regulated by the National Assembly by a special act adopted on the proposal of the Council; the treatment of material containing other information that is protected pursuant to the law is regulated by the Secretary General.

Article 105

(1) The original texts of laws and all the materials discussed by the National Assembly or its working bodies are stored in the archives of the National Assembly. The archives also store verbatim records (tape recordings and transcriptions) of the sessions of the National Assembly and meetings of its working bodies, audio-video recordings of the sessions, and other material where so determined by the President of the National Assembly or a chairman of a working body.

(2) Tape recordings and audio-video recordings of sessions are stored for at least four years. The Secretary General issues detailed instructions on archiving and time limits regarding the storage of materials, tape recordings, and audio-video recordings.

Article 106

Deputies have the right to access any files and materials stored by the competent services of the National Assembly and its working bodies. Access to files and materials containing personal data is only allowed to the deputies to whom such data refer. Access to such files and materials is also allowed to other persons, however only with the permission of the President of the National Assembly and the permission of the deputy to whom such data refer.

IV. ACTS AND PROCEDURES

1. Acts of the National Assembly

Article 107

The National Assembly adopts constitutional acts amending the Constitution, laws, authentic interpretations of laws, the state budget, the supplementary state budget, amendments to the state budget and the annual financial statement of the state budget, the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions, declarations, recommendations, decisions, and official consolidated texts of laws.

Article 108

(1) By ordinances, the National Assembly proclaims constitutional acts amending the Constitution, calls referendums, orders parliamentary inquiries, establishes public institutes and public ­enterprises in accordance with the law, and regulates the manner of work and the relations within the National Assembly.

(2) By ordinances, the National Assembly decides on the issues referred to in Article 92 of the Constitution.

(3) By ordinances, the National Assembly decides on other acts, in accordance with the law.

Article 109

By resolutions, the National Assembly evaluates the state of affairs, determines the policy, and adopts national programmes in individual fields.

Article 110

By declarations, the National Assembly states general positions on domestic and foreign policy issues and on individual issues of national importance.

 

Article 111

By recommendations, the National Assembly makes proposals regarding the work of state bodies, organisations, and individuals who perform public services or exercise public authority.

Article 112

By decisions, the National Assembly decides on elections, appointments, and dismissals, gives consent to the acts of public institutes and public enterprises, and to appointments and dismissals of managers and members of the administrative bodies of such institutes and enterprises in accordance with the law and their acts on establishment, and decides on procedural issues and other issues within its competence.

Article 113**

(1) Draft laws and the drafts of other acts adopted by the National Assembly, proposals, requests, initiatives decided upon by the ­National Assembly, and other materials discussed by the National Assembly are sent to the President of the National Assembly.

(2) The materials referred to in the preceding paragraph are submitted in writing. Written material is physical material that is written or printed and manually signed, or material in electronic form signed with a secure digital signature and qualified certificate. Materials sent by electronic means are deemed to have arrived in due time if they are received by the information system of the National Assembly prior to the expiry of the deadline.

(3) The conditions, manner, and form of submitting materials in electronic form and the commencement of the distribution of materials by electronic means are regulated by the Secretary General.

(4) If a matter is not tabled in accordance with these Rules of Procedure, it is deemed that such matter has not been tabled. The President of the National Assembly informs the proposer thereof.

(5) The Legislative and Legal Service determines an abbreviation for each tabled draft act in accordance with the act of the ­National Assembly on determining abbreviations.

2. Legislative procedure

a) General provisions

Article 114

(1) A draft law may be sent to the President of the National Assembly by the Government, a deputy, the National Council, or at least 5,000 voters.

(2) After a draft law has been forwarded to the President of the National Assembly, it is no longer possible to declare one’s co-sponsorship of the draft law.

Article 115

(1) A draft law contains the title of the law, an introduction, the text of the articles, and a statement of reasons.

(2) The introduction includes:

– an evaluation of the state of affairs and reasons for adopting the law,

– the goals, principles, and main solutions of the draft law,

– an estimation of the financial implications of the draft law regarding the state budget and other public finance resources,

– a statement that the resources for the implementation of the law are provided in the state budget if the draft law envisages the use of budgetary resources in a period for which the state budget has already been adopted,

– a presentation of the regulation of such matter in other legal systems and of the harmonisation of the proposed regulation with the law of the European Union; such presentation must include a presentation of the regulation of such matter in the legal systems of at least three European Union Member States,

– other consequences the adoption of the law might have.

(3) If a draft law does not contain the required information referred to in this article, the President of the National Assembly calls upon the proposer to supplement the draft law. If the proposer fails to supplement the draft law within 15 days from being called upon to do so by the President of the National Assembly, it is deemed that the draft law has not been tabled.

(4) In the text of articles, feminine and masculine forms should be used in those first articles or chapters of the draft law which define the primary subjects of the draft law, together with an explanation that thereinafter the masculine form would be used.

(5) The provision of the preceding paragraph does not apply where amendments to a law are proposed.

(6) Where amendments to a law are proposed, the proposer encloses with the draft law the text of those provisions of the law to which amendments are proposed.

(7) The statement of reasons explains the contents and purpose of individual articles of the draft law and the consequences and ­interrelations of the solutions contained therein.

Article 116**

(1) The President of the National Assembly forwards the draft law to all deputies immediately after it has been tabled. Thereby the legislative procedure begins.

(2) The President of the National Assembly sends the draft law also to the Government when it is not itself the proposer of the law. The Government may provide an opinion thereon.

(3) The draft law is published in the gazette of the National Assembly.

Article 117

(1) If several draft laws regulating the same social relation are tabled, and the National Assembly has not yet begun to discuss the draft law pursuant to Article 122, or the working body responsible has not yet begun to discuss the draft law pursuant to Article 126 of these Rules of Procedure, the National Assembly first discusses the draft law that was forwarded (sent) first and then follows the order in which they were forwarded.

(2) If the draft laws referred to in the preceding paragraph include a draft law that was tabled by the Government but was not the first to be forwarded, the National Assembly discusses it second irrespective of the order in which the draft laws were forwarded.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the working body responsible may decide to discuss the draft laws regulating the same social relation and for which the ­National Assembly has not yet begun a discussion pursuant to Article 122 or the working body responsible has not yet begun a discussion pursuant to Article 126 of these Rules of Procedure, as well as a draft law which the National Assembly has decided to adopt by the urgent procedure, at the same session under the same agenda item pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on urgent procedure for the adoption of a law.

(4) In the cases referred to in the preceding paragraph, every proposer of a draft law has the rights and duties of a proposer pursuant to these Rules of Procedure.

Article 118

(1) The proposer may withdraw a draft law or replace a draft law with a new one until the convening of the session of the National Assembly at which the discussion of the draft law begins pursuant to Article 122, or until the calling of the meeting of the working body responsible at which the discussion of the draft law begins pursuant to Article 126 of these Rules of Procedure.

(2) If the proposer replaces the draft law with a new one, the legislative procedure regarding the new draft law begins when the President of the National Assembly forwards such draft law to the deputies.

(3) If the proposer withdraws the draft law by the time limit referred to in paragraph one of this article, the legislative procedure is terminated.

b) Preliminary reading

Article 119

(1) Before tabling a draft law, the proposer of the law may propose that a preliminary reading be held regarding the basic issues and social relations that need to be regulated by such law.

(2) The preliminary reading is held on the basis of a presentation of the state of affairs in the field that is to be regulated by the law and the outline of the normative regulation, which may include alternate solutions.

(3) If the Council accepts the proposal to hold a preliminary reading, the President of the National Assembly also determines in which working body the reading will be held.

Article 120

(1) The proposer participates in the preliminary reading, and the Government can also participate when it is not itself the proposer.

(2) At the request of the working body referred to in the preceding article, the Legislative and Legal Service delivers an opinion in the preliminary reading.

(3) Following the preliminary reading, the working body referred to in the preceding article adopts an opinion which it sends to the proposer.

(4) In the introduction to the draft law the proposer explains how the opinion of the working body referred to in the preceding paragraph was taken into consideration.

c) Regular legislative procedure

ca) First reading of a draft law

Article 121

The first reading of a draft law begins when the draft law is forwarded to the deputies, except in the case referred to in Article 122 of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 122

(1) Within 15 days of the draft law being forwarded to the deputies, at least ten deputies may request that the National Assembly hold a debate on the reasons that require the adoption of the law and on the principles, goals, and basic solutions of the draft law (the general debate).

(2) After the general debate, the National Assembly decides on whether the draft law is appropriate for further reading.

(3) If the National Assembly decides that the draft law is appropriate for further reading, the legislative procedure continues.

(4) If the National Assembly decides that the draft law is not appropriate for further reading, the legislative procedure is terminated.

Article 123

The President of the National Assembly determines the working body responsible and refers the draft law to it for discussion immediately after the expiry of the time limit referred to in paragraph one of the preceding article or immediately after the conclusion of the general debate and the adoption of the decision that the draft law is appropriate for further reading.

Article 124

(1) A draft law that will have financial implications for the state budget or other public finance resources is also referred for discussion to the working body responsible for public finance issues. Such working body may also deliver opinions on amendments that have financial implications for the state budget or other public finance resources, and must particularly draw attention to the possible fact that the draft law determines budgetary expenditures that were not planned for the period for which the budget was adopted. The report on the financial implications of the draft law and amendments is sent by this working body to the working body responsible.

(2) A draft law containing provisions that concern the rights and position of the national communities is also referred to the Commission for National Communities. The commission may also deliver opinions on amendments that concern the rights and position of the national communities. The report on such provisions of the draft law and amendments is sent by the commission to the working body responsible.

cb) Second reading of a draft law

Article 125**

(1) The second reading of a draft law is first held within the working body responsible and then, pursuant to the report of the working body responsible, at a session of the National Assembly.

(2) If no general debate on the draft law has been held, the representatives of the deputy groups may present the deputy group’s position on the draft law at a session of the National Assembly if they inform the President of the National Assembly thereof before the time schedule of the session of the National Assembly is determined (Article 67 of these Rules of Procedure). Such presentation may not exceed five minutes.

(3) In the second reading, individual articles or parts of the draft law are debated and voted on.

(4) The title of the law is only debated and voted on if an amendment to it has been tabled.

Discussion in the working body responsible

Article 126

In the second reading of a draft law, the working body responsible debates and votes on individual articles of the draft law.

Article 127

If the working body responsible discusses draft laws that regulate the same social relation pursuant to paragraph three of Article 117 of these Rules of Procedure, it first decides on the basis of which draft law it will draw up a supplemented draft law, and then decides which of the articles of other draft laws it will include in the draft law on the basis of which it will draw up the supplemented draft law; it then continues the reading pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the discussion in the working body responsible and the provisions of Article 144 of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 128

(1) The working body responsible may decide:

– to join the debate and voting on several related articles of the draft law,

– to hold a debate and vote on individual parts or chapters of the draft law,

– to hold a debate and vote on several parts or chapters of the draft law or on all articles together.

(2) The working body responsible may decide that a draft law on which no general debate was held pursuant to Article 122 of these Rules of Procedure, is not appropriate for further reading.

Article 129

(1) Amendments to a draft law may be tabled by deputies, a deputy group, the working body concerned, and the working body referred to in Article 124 of these Rules of Procedure, as well as the Government where it is not itself the proposer of the law.

(2) Amendments may be tabled until the fifth day prior to the meeting of the working body responsible at which the second reading of the draft law is held. If such meeting is called in accordance with paragraph two of Article 48 of these Rules of Procedure, amendments may be tabled until the beginning of the reading of the draft law. If a draft law that was not included in the time schedule is placed on the agenda of the meeting, amendments may be tabled until the beginning of the reading of the draft law.

(3) Modifications of or supplements to an individual article or title of a law may be proposed by amendments. New articles containing solutions which derive from the goals and principles of the draft law as well as the deletion of an individual article may also be proposed by amendments.

(4) The proposer of the law may table amendments to amendments already tabled no later than by noon of the day prior to the meeting of the working body responsible. Amendments to the amendments which, pursuant to paragraph two of this article, may be tabled until the beginning of the reading of the draft law, may be tabled by the proposer of the law until the beginning of the discussion of the amendment tabled.

(5) Amendments are tabled in writing, in normative form, together with a statement of reasons for the amendment, the implications for the state budget and other public finance resources, as well as other consequences that the adoption of the amendment will have.

 

 

Article 130

(1) The proposer of the law, the working body concerned, the working body referred to in Article 124 of these Rules of Procedure, and the Government where it is not itself the proposer of the law, may deliver opinions on individual amendments.

(2) The working body responsible discusses the amendments and the opinions referred to in the preceding paragraph, and takes a position thereon.

Article 131**

(1) Each amendment is voted on separately.

(2) Prior to each voting, opinions on individual amendments may be delivered by the proposer of the law and the Government where it is not itself the proposer.

(3) If an amendment to an article relates, in terms of content, to the amendments to other articles, such related amendments are debated and voted on together.

(4) If several amendments to an individual article are tabled, the amendment that departs furthest from the content of the article is voted on first, thereafter other amendments are voted on according to the same criteria.

(5) If an amendment to an amendment is tabled, such amendment to an amendment is voted on first.

(6) If the chairperson of the working body responsible establishes that due to an adopted or not adopted amendment other amendments have become irrelevant, such amendments are not voted on. If the proposers of such other amendments object to the decision of the chairperson, the working body responsible decides thereon without debate and explanation of the vote.

(7) The proposer of the amendment may modify, supplement, or withdraw the amendment until the end of the debate on the amendments to the article to which the amendment was proposed.

(8) The working body responsible may also adopt its own amendments.

Article 132

(1) In the event of a draft law amending a law, only amendments to the articles of the amendments proposed in the draft law may be tabled.

(2) The restrictions referred to in the preceding paragraph do not apply to amendments tabled to transitional and final provisions of the draft law.

Article 133

(1) After the discussion on amendments and articles, a supplemented draft law is drawn up by including all the adopted amendments in the draft law prepared for the second reading. The supplemented draft law is part of a report drawn up for the second reading of the draft law by the working body responsible.

(2) In the event of a discussion on a draft law that contains provisions relating to the rights and position of the national communities, the report includes the report referred to in paragraph two of Article 124 of these Rules of Procedure that the Commission for National Communities may draw up and the position of the working body responsible on the positions of the Commission for National Communities.

(3) The report drawn up for the second reading of the draft law by the working body responsible and the opinion that the Legislative and Legal Service may deliver on the supplemented draft law are published in the gazette of the National Assembly.

Discussion at a session of the National Assembly

Article 134**

(1) In the second reading of a draft law, the National Assembly debates the individual articles to which amendments have been ­tabled and votes on individual amendments.

(2) The National Assembly does not debate a draft law in the second reading which the working body responsible decided is not appropriate for further reading, but instead votes on the proposal of the working body responsible. If the proposal of the working body responsible is adopted, the legislative procedure is terminated. If such proposal is not adopted, the President of the National Assembly immediately sends the draft law to the working body responsible for discussion.

(3) Prior to voting on the proposal referred to in the preceding paragraph, the rapporteur of the working body responsible may present an additional explanation, after which the proposer of the law or a representative thereof, the Government where it is not itself the proposer, and the representatives of the deputy groups may present their positions regarding the proposal of the working body responsible if they inform the President of the National Assembly thereof before the time schedule of the session of the National Assembly is determined (Article 67 of these Rules of Procedure). The additional explanation and the presentation of the position may not exceed five minutes.

Article 135**

(1) Amendments to a supplemented draft law may be tabled by a deputy group, ten deputies, the proposer, or the Government where it is not itself the proposer of the law.

(2) An amendment may be tabled to those articles of the draft law to which amendments were adopted by the working body responsible.

(3) Amendments may be tabled no later than five days prior to the session of the National Assembly at which the draft law is to be discussed. If a draft law that has not been included in the time schedule is placed on the agenda of the session of the National Assembly, amendments may be tabled no later than by noon of the day prior to the beginning of the session.

(4) The proposer of the law may table amendments to amendments no later than by noon of the day prior to the discussion of the item. Where amendments may be tabled pursuant to the second sentence of the preceding paragraph, the proposer may table amendments to amendments until the beginning of the discussion on the amendment tabled.

(5) Paragraphs three and five of Article 129 of these Rules of Procedure apply to the contents and elements of amendments. Paragraph seven of Article 131 of these Rules of Procedure applies to the modification and withdrawal of amendments.

(6) The working body responsible, the working body referred to in Article 124 of these Rules of Procedure, the Government, and the proposer of the draft law may deliver opinions on individual amendments.

(7) The provision of Article 132 of these Rules of Procedure applies to a draft law amending a law.

Article 136

(1) The National Assembly may decide to simultaneously debate two or more articles to which amendments have been tabled, and to vote on the amendments to such articles at the same time.

(2) In the cases referred to in the preceding paragraph, the chairperson may establish that an amendment has or has not been adopted if, on the basis of the debate, he assesses the result of the possible vote on such amendment. The chairperson must proceed to a vote on the individual amendment if so required by the Government where it is not itself the proposer of the amendment, the proposer of the amendment, or a deputy group. Voting takes place without debate and explanation of the vote.

Article 137**

(1) After the second reading, an overview of all adopted amendments and all articles of the supplemented draft law to which such amendments have been adopted is prepared.

(2) If amendments to more than a tenth of the articles of the supplemented draft law have been adopted, after the second reading the text of the draft law is subject to legal editing and prepared for the third reading on the basis of the amendments adopted.

(3) If the law is proposed by the Government, the National Assembly may, in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, decide that the Government prepare the text of the draft law for the third reading.

(4) If the Legislative and Legal Service or the Government establishes that after the adoption of amendments in the second reading, individual provisions of the draft law are mutually inconsistent, not in conformity with the Constitution, or inconsistent with other laws, it draws the attention of the National Assembly to such fact and proposes possible solutions.

Article 138

(1) If in the second reading amendments have been adopted to less than a tenth of the articles of the supplemented draft law, the National Assembly may decide on the proposal of the proposer to hold the third reading of the draft law at the same session, unless more than one third of the deputies present oppose such.

(2) The third reading is held no less than 24 hours after the overview referred to in paragraph one of Article 137 of these Rules of Procedure has been submitted. The chairperson decides when the third reading will be held immediately after the adoption of the decision referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 139**

If no amendment to the supplemented draft law is adopted in the second reading, the National Assembly proceeds to a vote on the law at the same session.

cc) Third reading of a draft law

Article 140**

(1) In the third reading the National Assembly debates and votes on the draft law in its entirety. A discussion of individual articles of the draft law is only held on those articles to which amendments have been tabled.

(2) As a general rule, the third reading of a draft law is held at the first session following the discussion of the draft law in the second reading.

(3) In the third reading of a draft law, amendments may be tabled by the proposer or by the Government where it is not itself the proposer of the law, or a deputy group. Amendments may be tabled in the manner referred to in paragraphs three to five of Article 135 of these Rules of Procedure only to those articles to which amendments have been adopted in the second reading at a session of the National Assembly. If the third reading is held pursuant to Article 138 of these Rules of Procedure, amendments may be tabled until the beginning of the discussion.

(4)  Article 131 of these Rules of Procedure applies to voting on, modification, and withdrawal of amendments.

(5) If the Legislative and Legal Service or the Government establish that with the adoption of amendments individual provisions of the draft law would be mutually inconsistent or inconsistent with other laws, it draws the attention of the chairperson to such fact. In the event of such, the chairperson allocates to the proposer time to prepare a harmonising amendment.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph four of Article 117 of these Rules of Procedure, the Government prepares a harmonising amendment to the draft law referred to in Article 127 of these Rules of Procedure which, according to the Legislative and Legal Service or the Government, has become, with the adoption of the amendments, inconsistent with itself or inconsistent with other laws.

(7) If the harmonising amendment is not adopted, or if the proposer fails to prepare such amendment within the time limit determined by the chairperson, the working body responsible meets to prepare its own harmonising amendment, or proposes that the draft law not be adopted.

(8) The National Assembly then debates and votes on the harmonising amendment.

(9) If the harmonising amendment is not adopted, the legislative procedure is terminated.

(10) If the proposal of the working body responsible not to adopt the draft law is accepted, the legislative procedure is terminated.

Article 141

(1) After the debate on the draft law or after the adoption of harmonising amendments the National Assembly votes on the draft law.

(2) A law that concerns the exercise of the constitutionally provided rights and the position of the two national communities exclusively is adopted with the consent of the deputies of the national communities. It is deemed that consent is given if the two deputies of the national communities vote for the law.

(3) On the basis of the decisions of the National Assembly, the Legislative and Legal Service prepares the final text of the law (the original text of the law).

 

 

č) Shortened procedure

Article 142**

(1) The proposer of a law may propose that the National Assembly discuss the draft law by the shortened procedure in the event of:

– minor amendments to a law,

– the cessation of the validity of an individual law or individual provisions thereof,

– less demanding harmonisation of the law with other laws or with the law of the European Union,

– amendments to laws related to proceedings before or decisions of the Constitutional Court.

(2) If the Council decides that a draft law be discussed by the shortened procedure, the President immediately determines the working body responsible and refers the draft law to it for discussion. The vote on the request referred to in paragraph ten of Article 21 of these Rules of Procedure is placed on the agenda of the next session of the National Assembly without debate and voting. In the shortened procedure for the discussion of a draft law, no general debate pursuant to Article 122 of these Rules of Procedure is held. The second and third readings are held at the same session. In such event the second reading begins with the discussion of the draft law by the working body responsible pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the second reading.

(3) For the discussion of a draft law by the shortened procedure, the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on regular legislative procedure apply mutatis mutandis, except for the provisions of Articles 138 and 139 and the provisions defining the time limit for the tabling of amendments in the third reading, unless otherwise provided by these Rules of Procedure. Amendments may be tabled directly at the session up until the beginning of the third reading of the draft law.

d) Urgent procedure for the adoption of a law

Article 143**

(1) Where so required in the interests of the security or defence of the state, or in order to eliminate the consequences of natural disasters, or to prevent consequences regarding the functioning of the state that would be difficult to remedy, the Government may propose that a law be adopted by the urgent procedure.

(2) The Government must provide specifically grounded reasons for adopting a law by the urgent procedure.

(3) If the Council decides that a draft law be discussed by the urgent procedure, the President immediately determines the working body responsible and refers the draft law to it for discussion. The request referred to in paragraph ten of Article 21 of these Rules of Procedure may be tabled no later than one hour prior to the beginning of the session of the National Assembly at which the draft law discussed by the urgent procedure is to be considered. The National Assembly decides on the decision of the Council when determining the agenda of the session.

(4) A draft law discussed by the urgent procedure is placed on the agenda of the first session of the National Assembly following the decision taken by the Council.

(5) In the urgent procedure, all provisions of these Rules of Procedure that are not explicitly excluded in the following Article apply.

Article 144**

(1) In the urgent procedure for the adoption of a law no general debate pursuant to Article 122 of these Rules of Procedure is held. The second and third readings are held at the same session. In such event, the second reading begins with the discussion of the draft law in the working body responsible pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the second reading.

(2) In the urgent procedure for the adoption of a law, the time limits determined by these Rules of Procedure do not apply, except for the time limit referred to in paragraph two of Article 215 of these Rules of Procedure.

(3) In the urgent procedure for the adoption of a law, amendments may also be proposed orally at the session until the end of the debate on the parts or articles of the law. Orally proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the chairperson prior to voting at a meeting of the working body responsible or session of the National Assembly, together with a statement of reasons.

(4) The National Assembly may require that the working body responsible take a position on amendments tabled at the meeting of the working body responsible.

e) Opinion and consent of the local communities in the legislative procedure

Article 145**

(1) When in the legislative procedure a draft law is tabled that contains provisions that directly affect the position and rights of the local communities or provisions that vest local communities with the exercise of specific tasks within the state competence, at the beginning of the legislative procedure the President of the National Assembly calls upon the competent local community bodies to deliver an opinion on such provisions of the draft law within a certain period of time. Such period should not be less than 30 days or, in the event of the discussion of a law by the urgent procedure, not less than 15 days.

(2) The working body responsible states its position regarding the opinions of the local communities.

Article 146**

This article is deleted.

f) Reconsideration of a law

Article 147

When, prior to the promulgation of a law, the National Assembly decides again on such law at the request of the National Council, the President of the National Assembly sends the request of the National Council to the working body responsible, the Legislative and Legal Service, the proposer of the law, and to the Government in order to obtain their opinions.

Article 148**

(1) The National Assembly holds the new vote on the law at its next session.

(2) Prior to the voting, a representative of the ­National Council may explain the request of the National Council.

(3) Prior to the voting, the rapporteur of the working body responsible presents the opinion of the working body.

(4) Prior to the voting, the proposer of the law or the representative thereof and the representative of the ­Government may explain the opinion of the proposer of the law or of the Government, respectively.

(5) Prior to the voting, the representatives of the deputy groups may present the position of their deputy group. The presentation may not exceed five minutes.  

g) Procedure for adopting an authentic interpretation of the law

Article 149

(1) A proposal to adopt an authentic interpretation of a law may be presented by any proposer who can propose a law.

(2) The proposal referred to in the preceding paragraph contains the title of the law, a reference to the article of which the authentic interpretation is proposed, the reasons thereof, and the proposed text of the authentic interpretation.

(3) The President of the National Assembly sends the proposal to the working body responsible, the Legislative and Legal Service, and the Government in order to obtain their opinions.

Article 150

(1) The working body responsible discusses the proposal to adopt an authentic interpretation of the law after it has obtained the opinion of the Legislative and Legal Service.

(2) The working body responsible first discusses whether it is necessary to adopt an authentic interpretation of the law. If the working body responsible believes that such is necessary, it also discusses the proposed text of the authentic interpretation.

(3) Amendments to the text of the proposed authentic interpretation of the law may only be proposed by the working body responsible.

Article 151

(1) The National Assembly debates and votes on the proposed authentic interpretation of the law and on the proposed text of the authentic interpretation, as well as on any amendments proposed by the working body responsible, at the same session.

(2) If the National Assembly adopts the proposal to adopt an authentic interpretation of the law but not its text, it requires that the working body responsible prepares, in cooperation with the Legislative and Legal Service, a new text of the authentic interpretation.

Article 152

(1) The text of the authentic interpretation is adopted if the majority of deputies required for the adoption of the law to which the authentic interpretation refers votes for it.

(2) The authentic interpretation is published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

(3) An adopted authentic interpretation may not be amended.

h) Official consolidated texts**

Article 153

(1) Following any amendment to a law, the Legislative and Legal Service prepares an unofficial consolidated text of the law, which is made available in electronic form on the web site of the National Assembly.

(2) On the basis of a decision adopted by the National Assembly on the proposal of the working body responsible, the Government, or a deputy group, the Legislative and ­Legal Service prepares an official consolidated text.

(3) The official consolidated text is confirmed by the National Assembly without debate. The National Assembly may decide that all official consolidated texts be confirmed by a single voting.

(4) The official consolidated text of the law is published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia and made available in electronic form on the web site of the National Assembly.

(5) The provisions of the preceding paragraphs also apply to the preparation of the consolidated text of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly.

i) Procedure for draft laws after the expiry of the term of the National Assembly

Article 154**

(1) With the expiry of the term of the National Assembly, all legislative procedures and procedures for the adoption of other acts initiated during such term are terminated, with the exception of those initiated on the proposal of the National Council or 5,000 voters.

(2)  Procedures for the discussion of reports and acts that, pursuant to the Constitution, law, or other regulations, have been submitted to the National Assembly by other authorities and organisations, with the exception of the Government, continue in ­accordance with the provisions of these Rules of Procedure.

2a. Procedure for discussing EU affairs*

a) General provisions

Article 154a*

The discussion of European Union affairs (hereinafter referred to as EU affairs), as defined by the act regulating cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government regarding EU affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Act), is held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. For issues not regulated herein, other provisions of these Rules of Procedure apply.

Article 154b*

EU affairs are debated and the positions of the Republic of Slovenia thereon are taken by the Committee on EU Affairs, while affairs concerning foreign and security policy are discussed and the positions thereon are taken by the Committee on Foreign Policy (hereinafter referred to as the competent committees), unless the Act or these Rules of Procedure provide that the positions of the Republic of Slovenia be taken by the National Assembly.

Article 154c*

(1) The composition of the competent committees is proportionate to the number of deputies elected to the National Assembly on the basis of the same list of candidates.

(2) Each deputy group is ensured at least one seat on each competent committee.

(3) The competent committees each have a chairman and two deputy chairmen. In each committee, one of these three must belong to an opposition deputy group.

Article 154č*

(1) EU affairs submitted by the Government for discussion in the National Assembly are sent to the President of the National Assembly.

(2) The President of the National Assembly refers EU affairs to be discussed to the competent committee and, depending on the subject matter of the proposal, to the working bodies responsible.

(3) The President of the National Assembly sends the EU affairs to the National Council and the Legislative and Legal Service.

Article 154d* **

(1) The chairman of the competent committee calls a committee meeting at least seven days prior to the day determined for the meeting.

(2) In urgent cases, the chairman of the competent committee may call a committee meeting also at shorter notice.

(3) The agenda of the meeting is determined by the chairman of the competent committee and may be extended no later than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting in order to include EU affairs on which the working bodies responsible have delivered their opinions or if the time for such has expired.

(4) The chairman of the competent committee may extend the agenda also at the beginning of the committee meeting in order to include EU affairs in relation to which the Government, due to the negotiations taking place during the procedure for the adoption of an act, proposes an amendment to the already adopted positions of the Republic of Slovenia, or in the event that the Government has stated reasons for not taking the positions of the Republic of Slovenia into account.

(5) The chairman of the competent committee may withdraw individual items from the agenda of the meeting also at the beginning of the committee meeting.

(6) The provisions of the preceding paragraphs, with the exception of the provision on the day and time of the meeting, also apply to meetings of the working bodies responsible when they deal with EU affairs.

Article 154e*

(1) The President of the Government and the ministers, who if absent are substituted for by state secretaries, as well as the heads of Government offices, who if absent are substituted for by their deputies, are invited to attend meetings of the competent committee. Other persons invited to attend meetings include the representatives of the working bodies responsible, a representative of the National Council, and a representative of the Legislative and Legal Service, who present and explain the opinions adopted or issued.

(2) Representatives of the expert public, civil society, business, and associations may be invited to the discussion of individual items on the agenda of a meeting of the competent committee when the subject matter of the issues under discussion is related to their work, and may present their opinions.

(3) Meetings of the competent committee may also be attended by Members of the European Parliament from the Republic of ­Slovenia, who may also participate in the debate.

b) Discussion of amendments to the treaties on which the European Union is founded and discussion of positions regarding the functioning of the Republic of Slovenia within EU institutions in the future

Article 154f* **

(1) Draft amendments to the treaties on which the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU) is founded are submitted by the Government for discussion when the procedure for discussion in the EU Council is initiated.

(2) For the debate on the state of affairs in the EU and the position of the Republic of Slovenia therein, as well as on the guidelines on the functioning of the Republic of Slovenia within EU institutions, the Government submits the draft declaration on the guidelines on the functioning of the Republic of Slovenia within EU institutions according to the annual legislative programme of the European Commission and the programme of the EU Council. The initial presentation at a session of the National Assembly is delivered by the President of the Government, and the ministers and heads of Government offices participate in the debate.

Article 154g* **

(1) Prior to being discussed at a session of the National Assembly, the draft amendments to the treaties on which the EU is founded, together with the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia and the draft declaration on the guidelines on the functioning of the Republic of Slovenia within EU institutions are discussed by the two competent committees, which prepare a report containing the amended draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia or the amended draft declaration.

(2) The working bodies responsible send their opinions, together with the amendments to the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia or to the draft declaration, no later than two days prior to the meeting of the competent committee, otherwise it is deemed that they agree with the proposals of the Government. The same conditions apply for the submission of the opinion of the National Council.

(3) Deputies may table amendments to the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia or to the draft declaration no later than two days prior to the meeting of the competent committee or until the end of the debate at the meeting, provided that the documents which serve as the basis for deciding were sent after the meeting had been called or an urgent meeting was called.

(4) Deputy groups may table amendments to the amended draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia or to the amended draft declaration no later than five days prior to the session of the National Assembly. A position on such amendments is taken by the two ­competent committees.

(5) The Government may deliver an opinion on the amendments from the preceding paragraphs.

(6) At the session, the National Assembly debates the draft amendments to the treaties, the amended draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia, the state of affairs in the EU and the position of the Republic of Slovenia therein, the amended draft declaration, and the amendments tabled to the amended drafts, and votes on the amendments and draft acts in their entirety.

(7) The adopted declaration is published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

c) Discussion of EU affairs that fall within the competence of the National Assembly

Article 154h*

(1) With respect to the declaration from the preceding article, the competent committee discusses EU affairs on the basis of the materials and draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia submitted by the Government and the opinions of the working bodies responsible, the National Council, and the Legislative and Legal Service, if such are delivered.

(2) The working bodies responsible send their opinions together with the amendments to the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia no later than two days prior to the meeting of the competent committee, otherwise it is deemed that they agree with the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia submitted by the Government. The same conditions apply for the submission of an opinion by the National Council.

(3) Deputies may table amendments to the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia no later than two days prior to the meeting of the competent committee referred to in paragraph one of this article or until the end of the debate at the meeting, provided that the documents which serve as the basis for deciding were sent after the meeting had been called or an urgent meeting was called.

(4) The Government may deliver an opinion on the amendments from the preceding paragraphs.

(5) Following the debate and vote on the amendments, the competent committee adopts the positions of the Republic of Slovenia with regard to the discussed EU affairs and sends them immediately to the Government.

Article 154i*

(1) When, on the basis of Article 11 of the Act, a request is filed or a decision of the Council of the President of the National Assembly is taken that the National Assembly adopt positions of the Republic of Slovenia with regard to EU affairs, prior to discussion at the session of the National Assembly, the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia on the EU affairs proposed in accordance with Article 9 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as: draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia on EU affairs), as well as the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia entailed in the request or decision, are discussed by the competent committee.

(2) Amendments to the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia on EU affairs and draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia entailed in the request or decision may be tabled by deputy groups no later than five days prior to the session of the National Assembly. Within such time limit, the Government may also table amendments to the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia entailed in the request or decision. When it is not the proposer of the request, the competent committee may table amendments no later than two days prior to the session of the National Assembly.

(3) The competent committee takes a position on the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia on EU affairs, on the draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia entailed in the request or decision, and on tabled amendments, and prepares a report thereon for the session of the National Assembly. A position on the amendments tabled may also be taken by the Government.

(4) At the session, the National Assembly debates and votes first on the amendments and draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia entailed in the request or decision, and then on the amendments and draft positions of the Republic of Slovenia on EU affairs.

(5) The adopted positions of the Republic of Slovenia are immediately sent to the Government.

(6) The request referred to in paragraph one of this article is adopted by the competent committee by a majority vote of all its members.

Article 154j*

The competent committee or the National Assembly may adopt a decision on the intention to discuss particular EU affairs or to continue the discussion of such and take, in relation to such EU affairs, the positions of the Republic of Slovenia within a certain time limit, in accordance with the envisaged discussion in EU institutions.

č) Discussion of other EU affairs

Article 154k*

(1) The two competent committees discuss other EU affairs pursuant to the same procedure, mutatis mutandis, as is applicable to the discussion of EU affairs under Article 154h of these Rules of Procedure, and adopt an opinion thereon, which is forwarded to the Government.

(2) The discussion is held on the proposal of the Government or on the basis of a decision taken by a competent committee or by a working body responsible by a majority vote of all respective members. In such case the Government presents the relevant documents in accordance with the Act.

(3) The working bodies responsible may also discuss other issues related to the functioning of the European Union and cooperate with the Government with respect to such.

d) Reporting by the Government

Article 154l*

(1) The Government promptly reports to the two competent committees regarding its activities and decisions in the EU Council and on the implementation of the positions of the Republic of Slovenia therein.

(2) When the Government has not implemented, either partially or fully, the positions of the Republic of Slovenia taken by a competent committee due to the fact that it has evaluated that such would not be feasible or would not be to the benefit of the Republic of Slovenia, it explains the circumstances and reasons for such decision at the next meeting of such committee. The Government may deliver a written report thereon at the meeting of the competent committee.

e) Public informing

Article 154m*

(1) The chairman of the competent committee or of the working body responsible that discussed the EU affairs determines the text of the official statement of the meeting to be delivered to the public following the conclusion of the meeting.

(2) All documents in the procedure related to the EU affairs under discussion are accessible to the public unless they are classified as confidential in accordance with the law.

3. Procedure for adopting the state budget, the supplementary state budget, the changes to the state budget, and the annual financial statement of the state budget

a) Procedure for adopting the state budget

Article 155

(1) The Government submits the draft state budget for the following year by 1 October of the current year at the latest.

(2) Together with the draft state budget, the Government also submits the budget memorandum and other documents related to the draft budget required by law.

Article 156

(1) No later than five days following the submission of the draft state budget, the President of the National Assembly forwards to the deputies the draft state budget, the budget memorandum, and other documents related to the draft budget required by law, as well as the notification of the convening of the session at which the budget memorandum and the draft state budget will be presented.

(2) The session of the National Assembly at which the budget memorandum and the draft state budget will be presented is convened by the President of the National Assembly no later than ten days following the submission of the draft state budget.

(3) The budget memorandum and the draft state budget are presented at the session of the National Assembly by the President of the Government and the Minister of Finance. No debate on this presentation is held.

Article 157**

(1) Amendments to the draft state budget may be tabled by deputies, deputy groups, the working bodies concerned, and the working body responsible.

(2) Deputies, deputy groups, and the working bodies concerned may table amendments to the draft state budget no later than ten days following the presentation of the draft state budget at the session of the National Assembly.

(3) The working body concerned may table amendments only to those parts of the draft budget that refer to its field of work, whereby it may balance the proposal to modify expenditure in such field with a proposal to modify expenditure in another field.

(4) Amendments are tabled in writing and must include a statement of reasons.

(5) Amendments are proposed to individual sub-programmes of certain direct users referred to in the special part of the draft state budget.

(6) All proposers of amendments must take into consideration the rule on the balance between budget revenues and expenditures. An amendment tabled should not burden the budget reserves or general budgetary commitments, nor should it entail the burden of additional borrowing.

Article 158

Within 15 days following the presentation of the budget memo­randum and the draft state budget, at a session of the National ­Assembly the working body responsible takes a position on all ­tabled amendments, adopts its own amendments, and draws up a report which it sends to the President of the National Assembly.

 

Article 159

(1) Within 30 days following the presentation of the draft state budget, at a session of the National Assembly the Government takes a position on all tabled amendments, and, on the basis of this position and the latest analyses of economic trends and the implementation of the state budget for the current year, prepares a supplemented draft state budget and submits it to the National Assembly.

(2) The supplemented draft state budget is the submitted new integrated text of the draft state budget, in which the Government has included the amendments to which it agrees, and by which it has changed and supplemented the draft state budget as it considers necessary. The Government explains in a statement of reasons how it has taken into account the amendments of the entitled proposers and which additional necessary changes and supplements to the draft state budget it has made.

(3) The Government may propose to increase the budget or to increase the extent of borrowing.

Article 160**

(1) Amendments to the supplemented draft state budget may be tabled by the working body responsible, a deputy group, or at least one quarter of the deputies.

(2) Amendments are proposed to individual sub-programmes of certain direct users referred to in the special part of the supplemented draft state budget.

(3) A deputy group or at least one quarter of the deputies may table amendments no later than five days prior to the session of the National Assembly.

(4) The working body responsible may table amendments no later than three days prior to the session of the National Assembly.

(5) The working body responsible takes a position on the supplemented draft budget and on the amendments tabled and draws up a report which includes its standpoints and positions on the amendments and on the amendments of the working body responsible.

Article 161

(1) The session of the National Assembly at which the discussion on the supplemented draft state budget will be held is convened by the President of the National Assembly within 15 days following the submission of the supplemented draft state budget.

(2) Prior to the beginning of the debate on individual parts of the supplemented draft state budget at the session of the National Assembly, the representative of the Government may first explain the supplemented draft state budget, the rapporteur of the working body responsible may present a report, and also the representatives of the deputy groups may present their positions on such. The presentation of positions by the representatives of the deputy groups must not exceed 20 minutes.

(3) The National Assembly decides on the amendments to the supplemented draft state budget at the end of the debate on the individual part of the special part of the supplemented draft state budget to which the amendment was tabled.

(4) The proposer of the amendment may change, supplement, or withdraw the amendment by the end of the debate on the amendments to individual parts of the special part of the supplemented draft state budget to which the amendment was tabled.

(5) The National Assembly first votes on the amendments tabled by deputy groups or by at least one quarter of the deputies, and thereafter on the amendments tabled by the working body responsible.

Article 162

(1) When the voting on parts of the supplemented draft state budget is completed, the chairperson establishes whether the draft state budget is balanced in terms of revenue and expenditure, and individual parts.

(2) If in doubt, the chairperson requires the opinions thereon of the Government and the working body responsible.

(3) If the draft state budget is balanced, the National Assembly votes on it in its entirety.

 

Article 163

(1) If the chairperson establishes that the draft state budget is not balanced, the National Assembly requires that the Government submit, within a certain period of time, an amendment to balance the draft state budget. An amendment to balance the draft state budget may also be submitted by the working body responsible.

(2) On the basis of adopted amendments, the individual parts of the state budget are harmonised with the amendment to balance the draft state budget.

(3) The working body responsible delivers an opinion on the Government’s amendment to balance the draft state budget. The Government delivers an opinion on the amendment to balance the draft state budget submitted by the working body responsible.

(4) The representative of the Government or of the working body responsible may explain the amendment to balance the draft state budget at a session of the National Assembly. The representative of the working body responsible or of the Government may present the opinion of the working body responsible or of the Government, respectively.

(5) Representatives of deputy groups may, at the session of the National Assembly, state their opinions on the amendment to balance the draft state budget. Their statements may not exceed five minutes.

(6) Following the debate, the National Assembly votes on the amendment to balance the draft state budget. In the event that both the Government and the working body responsible have submitted amendments to balance the draft state budget, the National Assembly first votes on the amendment submitted by the Government. If the amendment is adopted, the National Assembly votes on the draft state budget in its entirety.

(7) If the amendment to balance the draft state budget is not adopted, the state budget is not adopted.

(8) The National Assembly authorises the chairman of the working body responsible and two deputies to draw up, ­together with the ministry responsible for finance and the Legislative and Legal Service, the final text of the state budget (original version of the budget) on the basis of the decisions of the National Assembly.

Article 164

(1) The budget implementation act must be harmonised with the adopted state budget. If the proposed act is not harmonised with the adopted state budget, the Government must propose a harmonising amendment to the draft budget implementation act. If the harmonising amendment is not adopted, it is deemed that also the state budget has not been adopted.

(2) The provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the discussion of a law by the urgent procedure apply to the discussion and adoption of the draft budget implementation act.

Article 165

(1) If the state budget is not adopted, the National Assembly sets a time limit by which the Government must submit a new draft state budget.

(2) The President of the National Assembly convenes a session of the National Assembly within 15 days at the latest following the submission of the new draft state budget.

(3) The National Assembly holds the debate and vote on individual parts and amendments, and votes on the new draft state budget in its entirety at the same session. The provisions of Articles 161 and 162 of these Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to the debate and vote on individual parts, amendments, and the new draft state budget in its entirety.

(4) With regard to the tabling of amendments to the new draft state budget, the provision of Article 157 of these Rules of Procedure applies mutatis mutandis. Amendments may be tabled within 10 days at the latest following the submission of the new draft state budget.

(5) The working body responsible may table amendments no later than 13 days following the submission of the new draft state budget.

(6) The working body responsible takes a position on the new draft state budget and on the amendments tabled, and draws up a report that includes its views and positions on the amendments and the amendments of the working body responsible. The Government also takes a position on the amendments tabled to the new draft state budget.

(7) With regard to the tabling and adoption of an amendment to balance the new draft state budget, the provision of Article 163 of these Rules of Procedure applies mutatis mutandis.

(8) With regard to the harmonisation of the proposed budget implementation act with the adopted state budget, the provisions of Article 164 of these Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis.

b) Procedure for adopting the supplementary state budget and the amendments to the state budget

Article 166**

(1) The Government may propose a supplementary state budget during the budget year. The introduction to the draft supplementary state budget must also include the position taken by the Government on newly arisen financial obligations introduced by laws adopted in the period between the adoption of the state budget and the submission of the draft supplementary state budget.

(2) The draft supplementary state budget is placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly, provided that the deputies have received it at least 15 days prior to the session.

(3) The provision of Article 157 of these Rules of Procedure applies mutatis mutandis to the tabling of amendments to the draft supplementary state budget, with the exception of the time limit for the tabling of amendments. Amendments may be tabled no later than three days prior to the session of the National Assembly. The working body responsible may table amendments no later than two days prior to the session of the National Assembly.

(4) The working body responsible takes a position on the draft supplementary state budget and on the amendments tabled, and draws up a report that includes its views and positions on the amendments and the amendments of the working body responsible. The Government also takes a position on the amendments tabled.

(5) Amendments may only refer to those individual sub-programmes of certain direct users referred to in the special part of the state budget which are included in the draft supplementary state budget. The working body concerned may table amendments only to those sub-programmes of certain direct users referred to in the state budget that are included in the draft supplementary state budget and refer to its field of work, whereby the proposal to modify expenditure in such field may be balanced with a proposal to modify expenditure in another field.

(6) The draft supplementary state budget is discussed and adopted by the National Assembly at the same session. At such session, a presentation is made, followed by the debate and voting on parts and amendments, and by the debate and voting on the draft supplementary state budget in its entirety. The provision of paragraph three of Article 156 of these Rules of Procedure applies mutatis mutandis to the presentation, while the provisions of Articles 161 and 162 of these Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to the debate and voting on individual parts, amendments, and the draft supplementary state budget in its entirety.

(7) The provisions of Article 163 of these Rules of Procedure apply to the tabling and adoption of amendments to harmonise the supplementary state budget.

(8) If, in accordance with the law, a draft state budget for a longer period of time is proposed, the draft amendments to the state budget for the future period are discussed during the year preceding the beginning of the future period pursuant to the procedure referred to in this article. In accordance with paragraph three of Article 156 of these Rules of Procedure, the draft amendments to the state budget are presented together with the budget memorandum and the draft state budget for the following year. Amendments to the draft amendments to the state budget may also be tabled by the Government.

c) Procedure for adopting the annual financial statement of the state budget

Article 167

(1) The Government submits the draft annual financial statement of the state budget for the previous year to the National Assembly for adoption, together with the final report of the Court of Audit, by no later than 1 October of the current year.

(2) The President of the National Assembly sends the draft annual financial statement of the national budget to the working body responsible and deputies by no later than 15 days prior to the session at which the National Assembly will discuss the annual financial statement of the state budget.

 

 

Article 168

(1) Prior to the debate on the annual financial statement of the state budget, first a representative of the Government presents an explanation and then the representative of the working body responsible presents a report thereon.

(2) The debate on the annual financial statement of the state budget may be divided into a general debate and a debate on individual parts of the budget.

(3) The National Assembly votes on the annual financial statement of the state budget in its entirety.

4. Procedure for the ratification of treaties

Article 169

(1) The National Assembly ratifies treaties with a law.

(2) The draft law on the ratification of a treaty is submitted by the Government.

(3) The ratification of a treaty is subject to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure that apply to the urgent procedure.

(4) In the procedure for the ratification of a treaty, no amendments may be tabled to the text of the treaty.

5. Procedure for adopting other acts of the National Assembly**

Article 169a**

(1) Ordinances, resolutions, declarations, recommendations, and decisions may be proposed by any deputy, the working body responsible, or the Government, unless otherwise provided by the Constitution, the law, or these Rules of Procedure.

(2) Resolutions on national programmes are proposed by the Government.

Article 169b**

(1) A draft act contains the title and text of the act as well as a statement of reasons.

(2) If a draft act does not contain the required contents referred to in the preceding paragraph, the President of the National Assembly acts in accordance with paragraph three of Article 115 of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 169c**

In discussions on the draft acts referred to in Article 169a of these Rules of Procedure, the provisions of paragraphs two and three of Article 116, Article 117, and Article 118 thereof apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 170

The National Assembly adopts the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly and amendments thereto mutatis mutandis pursuant to the procedure provided by these Rules of Procedure for the adoption of laws.

Article 171**

(1) The provisions of these Rules of Procedure that regulate the procedure in the second reading of a draft law apply mutatis mutandis to the procedure for the discussion of draft acts referred to in paragraph one of Article 169a of these Rules of Procedure. At least ten deputies may, within 15 days from the referral of the draft act to the working body responsible, require that the National Assembly hold a general debate on the draft act. The National Assembly votes on the draft act in its entirety immediately after the discussion. With regard to the harmonisation procedure, the provisions of paragraphs five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten of Article 140 of these Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis. The procedure for the discussion of a draft act is held at the same session.

(2) If the act is proposed by a working body, amendments to the entire text of the draft act may be tabled at the session of the National Assembly.

 

6. Procedure for amending the Constitution

Article 172

The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia can be amended by a constitutional act. A constitutional act amending the Constitution comprises two parts: the first part (Section I) contains the text of the constitutional amendment, and the second part (Section II) contains the provisions implementing the constitutional amendment.

Article 173**

(1) A proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution may be submitted to the President of the National Assembly by 20 deputies, the Government, or at least 30,000 voters. Each proposer determines their representative.

(2) After the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution has been submitted to the President of the National Assembly, co-sponsorship of the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution may no longer be withdrawn or declared.

(3) The proposal must state how the Constitution should be amended and the reasons therefor. The proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution must include the first draft of the constitutional act.

(4) A representative of the voters submits the proposal referred to in the preceding paragraph no later than 30 days after the expiry of the period determined for the gathering of voters’ signatures in support of the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution.

(5) If the proposal does not contain the required contents referred to in Article 172 and in paragraph three of this article, the President of the National Assembly calls on the proposer to supplement the proposal. If the proposer does not supplement the proposal within 15 days at the latest after being called on to do so by the President of the National Assembly, it is deemed that the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution has not been submitted.

(6) The Legislative and Legal Service determines an abbreviation for the submitted proposal in accordance with the act of the National Assembly on determining abbreviations.

Article 174

The National Assembly establishes a Constitutional Commission within 30 days after the submission of the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution. Where this is not possible considering the provision of Article 6 of these Rules of Procedure, it establishes the commission as soon as possible after such period.

Article 175

The Constitutional Commission adopts the draft decision to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present.

Article 176

(1) If the Constitutional Commission does not adopt the decision referred to in the preceding Article, it draws up a report thereon for a session of the National Assembly.

(2) If the Constitutional Commission adopts the decision referred to in the preceding Article, it holds a debate on the first draft of the constitutional act.

(3) Following the debate referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Constitutional Commission adopts, by a two-thirds ­majority vote of the members present, the positions on the first draft of the constitutional act and draws up a report thereon for a session of the National Assembly.

Article 177**

(1) On behalf of the proposer, the representative of the proposer may withdraw the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution by no later than noon of the day prior to the beginning of the session of the National Assembly at which the proposal is to be decided, and informs the President of the National Assembly thereof in writing.

(2) If the National Assembly does not adopt the decision to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution, the procedure for amending the Constitution is terminated. In the same parliamentary term, a proposal similar in terms of content may not be placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly, and a discussion by the Constitutional Commission is not possible. A decision thereon is taken by the President of the National Assembly upon prior consultation with the Legislative and Legal Service of the National Assembly.

Article 178

(1) If the National Assembly adopts the decision to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution, a debate on the first draft of the constitutional act and on the positions of the Constitutional Commission thereon is held.

(2) Following the debate referred to in the preceding paragraph, the National Assembly adopts its positions on the first draft of the constitutional act, which should be taken into consideration by the Constitutional Commission in the preparation of the final draft of the constitutional act.

(3) The National Assembly adopts the positions referred to in the preceding paragraph by a majority vote of all deputies.

a) Final draft of a constitutional act

Article 179

(1) On the basis of the decision and positions of the National Assembly, the Constitutional Commission draws up the final draft of a constitutional act.

(2) The Constitutional Commission adopts the final draft of the constitutional act by a two-thirds majority vote of all its members.

Article 180

(1) If the Constitutional Commission does not adopt the final draft of the constitutional act, it draws up a report thereon for a session of the National Assembly.

(2) After the debate on the report referred to in the preceding paragraph, the National Assembly may adopt positions which are to be taken into consideration by the Constitutional Commission in the preparation of a new final draft of the constitutional act, or decide that the procedure for amending the Constitution be terminated.

Article 181

(1) In the discussion of the final draft of the constitutional act, the National Assembly debates and votes on the articles and the final draft of the constitutional act in its entirety.

(2) No amendments may be tabled to the final draft of the constitutional act.

(3) If the final draft of the constitutional act is not adopted, the procedure for amending the Constitution is terminated.

b) Promulgation of constitutional amendments

Article 182

(1) The National Assembly promulgates a constitutional act amending the Constitution no later than eight days after its adoption unless at least 30 deputies require that the constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters for approval at a referendum.

(2) If the constitutional amendment is approved at the referendum, the National Assembly promulgates the constitutional act amending the Constitution no later than eight days after receiving the report on the referendum results.

(3) The constitutional act amending the Constitution is promulgated by the National Assembly at a session by adopting an ordinance on promulgation.

(4) If the constitutional amendment is not approved at the referendum, the procedure for amending the Constitution is terminated.

Article 183

The provisions on the procedure for amending the Constitution apply mutatis mutandis also to amendments to the Constitutional Act Implementing the Basic Constitutional Charter on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia, amendments to the Constitutional Act Implementing the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, and amendments to the constitutional act amending the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia.

 

7. Procedure regarding referenda

Article 184

(1) The proposal that the National Assembly call a referendum regulated by law on its own initiative must be submitted by a deputy in writing. The proposal must clearly state the question to be posed at the referendum. The proposal must include a statement of ­reasons.

(2) The President of the National Assembly sends the proposal to the working body responsible and the Legislative and Legal Service in order to obtain their opinions.

(3) The proposal is placed on the agenda of the next session of the National Assembly provided that it has been submitted no later than 30 days prior to such session.

Article 185

(1) A request to call a legislative referendum and a request to call a referendum on a constitutional amendment must be submitted in writing and include a statement of reasons. Such request is sent to the President of the National Assembly.

(2) Before a referendum is called, the Legislative and Legal Service delivers its opinion on whether the request to call a referendum meets all the requirements provided by law.

(3) A deputy may withdraw his support for the request to call a referendum no later than by noon of the day prior to the beginning of the session of the National Assembly at which the request will be decided on, and informs the President of the National Assembly thereof in writing.

Article 186

The President of the National Assembly places the proposal referred to in Article 184 and the request referred to in Article 185 of these Rules of Procedure on the agenda of the next session of the National Assembly.

8. Procedure for the impeachment of the President of the Republic, the President of the Government, and ministers

Article 187

(1) The initiation of the procedure for the impeachment of the President of the Republic may be proposed to the National Assembly by at least 30 deputies.

(2) The proposal to initiate the procedure for the impeachment of the President of the Republic (Article 109 of the Constitution) must include the description of an alleged violation of the Constitution or serious violation of the law and the proposed evidence of the alleged violation.

(3) The proposal is discussed by the National Assembly at the next session, provided that it has been submitted no later than 30 days prior to such session.

(4) The National Assembly decides on the proposal within 60 days at the latest after the submission of the proposal. If the National Assembly does not take a decision thereon by such time limit, it is deemed that the proposal has been rejected.

Article 188

(1) The initiation of the procedure for the impeachment of the President of the Republic may not be proposed in the period between the calling of the election for President of the Republic and the proclamation of the election results.

(2) The initiation of the impeachment procedure may not be proposed if such has already been proposed, and may not be continued if the President of the Republic resigns or if his term of office expires. The National Assembly continues such procedure if the President of the Republic so requests.

Article 189

The President of the National Assembly sends the impeachment proposal to the President of the Republic.

 

 

Article 190

(1) The President of the Republic may reply to the proposed impeachment in writing or orally at a session of the National Assembly.

(2) A representative of the proposer may explain the impeachment proposal at a session of the National Assembly.

(3) The proposer may withdraw the impeachment proposal by the end of the discussion at a session of the National Assembly. In the event of such, it is deemed that the impeachment proposal has not been submitted.

(4) The National Assembly decides on the impeachment of the President of the Republic by a decision.

Article 191

(1) The President of the National Assembly sends the decision on the impeachment of the President of the Republic to the Constitutional Court and to the President of the Republic.

(2) The decision includes the elements referred to in paragraph two of Article 187 of these Rules of Procedure.

(3) By a decision, the National Assembly also appoints an authorised representative to present the impeachment before the Constitutional Court. The authorised representative is appointed from among the deputies who proposed the initiation of the procedure for the impeachment of the President of the Republic.

Article 192

(1) The impeachment of the President of the Government or ministers before the Constitutional Court may be proposed to the National Assembly by at least ten deputies.

 (2) The provisions on the impeachment of the President of the Republic apply mutatis mutandis also in the procedure for the impeachment of the President of the Government and ministers due to a violation of the Constitution and laws during the performance of their office (Article 119 of the Constitution).

(3) At the request of the National Assembly, the President of the Republic delivers his opinion on the proposed impeachment of the President of the Government, and the President of the Government delivers his opinion on the proposed impeachment of a minister.

9. Procedure for elections and appointments

a) General provisions

Article 193

(1) Elections and appointments of officials who are elected or appointed by the National Assembly pursuant to the Constitution or the law, are carried out in accordance with the provisions of these Rules of Procedure unless otherwise provided by law.

(2) The proposer of a candidature or his representative may explain the proposed candidature prior to the vote.

Article 194

(1) When voting on one candidate or a list of candidates, such candidate or list of candidates is voted for or against by circling the word “for” or “against” on the ballot paper.

(2) When several candidates are standing for the same office, voting is carried out by circling the number on the ballot paper next to the name of the candidate for whom the vote is being cast.

(3) A candidate is elected or appointed if a majority of the deputies who have cast valid ballot papers votes for him, unless otherwise provided for individual elections or appointments by the Constitution, law, or these Rules of Procedure.

Article 195

(1) When several candidates are standing for the same ­office and no one obtains the necessary majority, a new vote is held. The second vote is held between the two candidates who obtained the highest number of votes in the first vote. If several candidates obtained an equal highest or equal second highest number of votes in the first vote, the selection of candidates with an equal number of votes for the second vote is made by drawing lots.

(2) When several candidates are standing for the same office, they are listed on the ballot paper in alphabetical order.

(3) In the second vote, the two candidates are listed on the ballot paper in order of the number of votes obtained in the first vote.

Article 196

(1) When several candidates are standing for several equal offices, voting is held for each office separately unless otherwise provided by law or by these Rules of Procedure.

(2) If, in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the number of candidates proposed exceeds the number of offices that are to be filled by election or appointment, all candidates are voted on simultaneously. Each deputy votes for as many candidates as there are offices to be filled by election or appointment. The candidates who secure the necessary majority are elected or appointed. The candidates who do not secure the necessary majority of votes are voted on in a second vote whereby only as many candidates are voted on as there are offices that still need to be filled by election or appointment. In the second vote, those candidates who ­obtained the highest number of votes in the first vote are voted on. If several candidates obtained an equal highest or equal second highest number of votes in the first vote, the selection of candidates with an equal number of votes for the second vote is made by drawing lots.

Article 197

If a candidate does not secure the necessary majority or if no candidate for an individual office is able to secure the necessary majority in the second vote, the candidacy procedure and the voting procedure are repeated on the basis of a new proposal of candidatures.

Article 198

The National Assembly elects a candidate for judge of an international court by secret ballot by a majority vote of all deputies in a manner provided by law.

b) Elections of the President and Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly

Article 199

(1) A candidate for President or Vice-President of the National Assembly may be proposed by at least ten deputies.

(2) Standing for the offices and voting on the candidates referred to in the preceding paragraph take place separately for the ­office of President and the office of Vice-President. First, the vote on the President of the National Assembly is held. When the President has been elected, the vote for Vice-President is held.

(3) Voting is by secret ballot.

(4) The candidate who secures the majority of votes of all deputies is elected Vice-President of the National Assembly.

c) Appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of working bodies

Article 200

(1) Chairmen and deputy chairmen of working bodies are appointed by the National Assembly on the proposal of the deputy groups which, pursuant to a decision of the Council, are entitled to hold the chairmanship or deputy chairmanship of a working body. The deputies vote on the appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen by voting on the list of candidates for chairmen and deputy chairmen of working bodies as a whole.

(2) If the list of candidates is not passed in the vote, the appointment procedure is repeated on the basis of new proposals by deputy groups.

 

č) Procedure for dismissal

Article 201

(1) The National Assembly dismisses the officials that it elects or appoints pursuant to the Constitution, the law, or these Rules of Procedure according to the procedure for elections and appointments unless a different procedure is provided for dismissal.

(2) The dismissal may be proposed by the proposer of the election or appointment determined by the Constitution, the law, or these Rules of Procedure, unless a different proposer for the dismissal is determined by the Constitution, the law, or these Rules of Procedure, or if, pursuant to the grounds for dismissal provided by the Constitution or law, the dismissal may be proposed by a different proposer.

(3) The decision on dismissal is adopted by the majority provided by the Constitution, law, or these Rules of Procedure.

d) Procedure regarding the resignation of deputies and officials of the National Assembly

Article 202

(1) Every deputy and official of the National Assembly has the right to resign and explain his resignation.

(2) The statement of resignation is to be submitted in writing and sent to the President of the National Assembly, who informs the deputies of the resignation at the next session of the National Assembly.

(3) It is deemed that a deputy or official ceases to hold office as of the day of the session when the National Assembly is informed of the resignation.

10. Procedure regarding immunity

a) Procedure regarding the immunity of deputies

Article 203

A deputy enjoys immunity from the time of the confirmation of his election until the expiry of his term.

Article 204

(1) Where there are grounds to order the detention of a deputy or where there are grounds to initiate criminal proceedings against a deputy who claims immunity, the competent state authority sends the request for permission to detain or initiate criminal proceedings to the President of the National Assembly.

(2) In the event a deputy has been detained or criminal proceedings have been initiated against him because he has been apprehended committing a criminal offence for which a prison sentence of over five years is prescribed, the competent state authority immediately sends to the President of the National Assembly the notification of detention or of the initiation of criminal proceedings. The competent state authority sends the notification of the initiation of criminal proceedings to the President of the National Assembly also when the deputy has not claimed immunity.

Article 205

(1) The President of the National Assembly immediately sends the request or the notification to the Commission for Public Office and Elections.

(2) In considering the request or the notification, the Commission for Public Office and Elections establishes whether the granting of immunity is indispensable for performing the office of deputy. As a general rule, it is deemed that the granting of immunity may be indispensable for performing the office of deputy in the event the competent state authority intends to detain or has already detained the deputy, but not where it intends to initiate or has already initiated criminal proceedings against such deputy.

(3) The Commission for Public Office and Elections may only exceptionally and for particularly justified reasons propose to the National Assembly that it subsequently grant immunity to a deputy who has been apprehended committing a criminal offence for which a prison sentence of over five years is prescribed or to a deputy against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated because he has not claimed immunity. The Commission must thereby also take into consideration the reasons for which the deputy has not claimed immunity.

(4) In considering the request or the notification, the Commission for Public Office and Elections does not evaluate the evidence and does not judge the state of facts regarding the alleged criminal offence or whether the deputy is criminally liable.

Article 206

(1) The Commission for Public Office and Elections discusses the request or the notification at a closed session.

(2) The Commission for Public Office and Elections ­examines the request or the notification and proposes that the National Assembly grant or not grant immunity to the deputy.

Article 207

(1) The National Assembly decides to grant or not to grant immunity to the deputy without debate.

(2) On the proposal of the Commission for Public Office and Elections or a deputy group, the National Assembly may decide that decision-making thereon be carried out at a closed session. At such closed session, a debate is possible. An official notice of the decision of the National Assembly adopted at the closed session is issued to the public.

(3) In deciding whether to grant or not to grant immunity to the deputy, the National Assembly takes into consideration the criteria referred to in Article 205 of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 208

(1) In every case involving a deputy who has been detained the Commission for Public Office and Elections decides immediately whether to grant immunity.

(2) At its next session the National Assembly upholds, or revokes and alters the decision of the Commission for Public Office and Elections.

Article 209

(1) The National Assembly or, in the cases referred to in the preceding article, the Commission for Public Office and Elections immediately communicates its decision to grant or not to grant immunity to the deputy to the competent state authority.

(2) If the National Assembly subsequently grants immunity to a deputy pursuant to paragraph three of Article 205 of these Rules of Procedure, the criminal proceedings against such deputy may not be continued and the detained deputy must immediately be released. The relevant decision thereon is issued by the competent state authority.

Article 210

When the National Assembly or the Commission for Public Office and Elections grants permission to detain or initiate criminal proceedings against a deputy, the deputy may be detained or criminal proceedings may be initiated against him only for the criminal offence for which permission has been granted.

b) Procedure regarding the immunity of other holders of public offices

Article 211

The provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the procedure regarding the immunity of deputies apply mutatis mutandis to the procedure regarding the immunity of judges of the Constitutional Court.

Article 212

At the request of the competent authority, the National Assembly decides whether to permit the detention of or initiation of criminal proceedings against a judge suspected of having committed a criminal offence in the performance of his judicial office. The National Assembly decides whether to permit the detention of the judge after receiving the opinion of the Judicial Council.

Article 213

At the request of the competent authority, the National Assembly decides whether to permit the detention of the ombudsman, or his deputy, if he is suspected of having committed a criminal ­offence in the performance of his office.

Article 214

The provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the procedure regarding the immunity of deputies apply mutatis mutandis in the cases referred to in the two preceding Articles.

V. THE RELATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TOWARDS OTHER STATE AUTHORITIES

1. The relations of the National Assembly towards the National Council

Article 215

(1) The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the National Council of sessions of the National Assembly and sends him all material on issues on the agenda of sessions of the National Assembly.

(2) The President of the National Assembly also informs the President of the National Council of the time limits within which the National Council may deliver an opinion on matters discussed in extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly and matters placed on the extended agenda of a session of the National Assembly, as well as on draft laws proposed by the urgent procedure. Such time limits are determined by the Council with regard to the urgency of the individual matter or the needs of the state. The time limit may not be shorter than 24 hours.

(3) The National Assembly may not decide on matters for which the time limit determined for the National Council to deliver an opinion has not yet expired or if the National Council has not sent notification that it would not deliver an opinion on the proposal.

(4) The President of the National Assembly sends the notification of the convening of a session of the National Assembly together with the draft agenda, the eventual extended agenda, and the material for the session to the President of the National Council at the same time as to deputies. When the agenda of a session of the National Assembly has been adopted, the President of the National Assembly informs the President of the National Council thereof.

Article 216

If the National Assembly decides at a session to request that the National Council deliver an opinion on an individual matter, it also determines the time limit within which such opinion should be delivered. Such time limit must not be shorter than the time limit provided by the Rules of Procedure of the National Council for the convening of sessions of the National Council.

Article 217**

(1) When the President of the National Assembly receives from the President of the National Council the proposals, opinions, or requests of the National Council, he sends them to all deputies and to the Government, and requests that the competent working body and the Government send their opinions to the National Assembly.

(2) In discussing the proposals, opinions, or requests of the National Council, the working body takes a position and reports thereon to the National Assembly. The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the National Council of the National Assembly’s decisions relating to the proposals, opinions, and requests of the National Council.

Article 218

The President of the National Assembly immediately informs the President of the National Council of the adoption of a law and sends him the text of the law.

Article 219

(1) The working bodies of the National Assembly cooperate with the National Council and its working bodies on their own initiative or on the initiative of the National Council or its working bodies.

(2) The working bodies of the National Assembly discuss and take a position on the opinions delivered by the National Council or its working bodies. At a meeting of a working body of the National Assembly, a representative of the National Council or of one of its working bodies may participate in the discussion of an opinion of the National Council or such working body. The chairman of the working body of the National Assembly informs the President of the National Council of the position taken.

(3) The working body of the National Assembly is not obliged to discuss an opinion of the National Council or one of its working bodies which was delivered after the conclusion of the discussion on the issue to which such opinion refers.

2. The relations of the National Assembly towards the President of the Republic

Article 220

(1) When, after the National Assembly has been constituted and deputy groups have been formed and their leaders appointed, the President of the National Assembly informs the President of the Republic thereof so that he can initiate consultations on the determination of a candidate for President of the Government.

(2) The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the Republic of the facts relevant for the exercise of the rights and duties of the President of the Republic provided by Articles 111 and 117 of the Constitution and Article 261 of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 221

The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the Republic of the facts relevant for the exercise of the rights and duties of the President of the Republic regarding the calling of regular elections and by-elections to the National Assembly.

Article 222

(1) The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the Republic of sessions of the National Assembly and sends him all material on issues on the agenda of sessions of the National Assembly.

(2) The President of the National Assembly informs the President of the Republic when the National Assembly has adopted a law. He sends the law to him for promulgation on the eighth day after its adoption, unless he has received, within seven days from the adoption of the law, a request from the National Council that the National Assembly reconsider the law, or if, within the same period of time, he has received a request to call a subsequent legislative referendum or an initiative that voters submit a request to call such referendum.

(3) If a law which has been reconsidered by the National Assembly at the request of the National Council is adopted, it is sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation on the eighth day after the adoption of the law following reconsideration, unless, within seven days from such adoption, the President of the National Assembly has received a request to call a subsequent legislative referendum or an initiative that voters submit a request to call such referendum.

(4) If the law is approved in the subsequent legislative referendum, it is sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation immediately after the publication of the referendum results.

(5) If a subsequent legislative referendum is not called because the constitutionally and legally provided requirements for the calling of such referendum have not been met, the law is sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation immediately upon it ­being established that such requirements have not been met.

Article 223

(1) If the National Assembly adopts a decision to request that the President of the Republic deliver an opinion on an individual issue, it also determines the time limit within which such opinion should be delivered.

(2) The President of the National Assembly sends to all deputies the opinion that the President of the Republic has sent to the National Assembly at the request referred to in the preceding paragraph. The National Assembly discusses such opinion at a session at which it discusses the issue with regard to which it requested the opinion of the President of the Republic.

(3) In the event the President of the Republic on his own initiative sends his opinion on an individual issue to the National Assembly, the President of the National Assembly sends such opinion to all deputies. The National Assembly discusses such opinion at a session at which it discusses the issue with regard to which the President of the Republic delivered his opinion. If the opinion of the President of the Republic does not refer to the issue submitted to the National Assembly for discussion, the National Assembly discusses such opinion at the next session.

Article 224

If the President of the Republic informs the National Assembly that he wishes to explain his opinion and position on individual issues directly at a session of the National Assembly, his appearance at the session of the National Assembly is placed on the agenda of the next session of the National Assembly without debate or voting.

3. The relations of the National Assembly towards the Government

a) Election of the President of the Government

Article 225

(1) The President of the Republic proposes a candidate for President of the Government to the National Assembly within 30 days of the National Assembly being constituted.

(2) The candidature proposal must contain the personal data of the candidate: full name, date of birth, and place of residence, as well as the candidate’s written consent.

Article 226

(1) The election of the President of the Government is held no sooner than 48 hours and no later than seven days after the submission of the candidature proposal.

(2) Prior to the vote, the proposed candidate presents an outline of the work programme of the Government at a session of the ­National Assembly.

Article 227

(1) If the candidate is not elected, new elections for President of the Government are held on the basis of new candidature proposals in accordance with paragraph three of Article 111 of the Constitution. The new candidatures are submitted by the President of the Republic, deputy groups, or at least ten deputies in accordance with paragraph two of Article 225 of these Rules of Procedure, no later than 14 days after the day of the session at which the first vote was held.

(2) New elections for President of the Government are held no sooner than 48 hours and no later than seven days after the expiry of the term for the submission of new candidatures referred to in the preceding paragraph. Prior to the vote on his candidature, the newly proposed candidate presents an outline of the work programme of the Government at a session of the National Assembly.

(3) If several candidature proposals are submitted, each candidate is voted on separately. The candidate proposed by the President of the Republic is voted on first. If this candidate is not elected, a vote is held on the other candidates in the order in which the candidature proposals were submitted. If a candidate is elected, no vote is held on candidates whose candidature proposals were submitted after the candidature proposal of the elected candidate.

Article 228

(1) If no candidate is elected, the National Assembly may decide to hold a new election for President of the Government in accordance with paragraph four of Article 111 of the Constitution.

(2) The new election for President of the Government is held no sooner than 48 hours and no later than seven days after the adoption of the decision referred to in the preceding paragraph. Prior to the beginning of the session of the National Assembly at which the new election for President of the Government is held, the President of the Republic, deputy groups, or at least ten deputies may resubmit their previous candidature proposals or submit new candidature proposals in accordance with paragraph two of Article 225 of these Rules of Procedure. In the new election, the candidates previously proposed are voted on first, in the order of the number of votes received in the previous voting. If no such candidate is elected, votes are held on newly proposed candidates in the order of the submission of candidature proposals, whereby a candidate proposed by the President of the Republic is voted on first. Prior to the vote on his candidature, the newly proposed candidate presents an outline of the work programme of the Government at a session of the National Assembly.

b) Appointment of ministers

Article 229

(1) No later than 15 days after his election, the President of the Government proposes the appointment of ministers to the National Assembly. He sends the proposal of candidatures in writing to the President of the National Assembly. The proposal contains the list of candidates for ministers, including the elements from paragraph two of Article 225 of these Rules of Procedure. Each candidature on the list must be explained separately.

(2) If the proposal of candidatures does not contain all elements from paragraph two of Article 225 of these Rules of Procedure, or if separate explanations are not provided for each candidature, the President of the National Assembly calls upon the President of the Government to correct these deficiencies. If the deficiencies have not been corrected by the time of the session of the National Assembly at which ministers are appointed, votes are held only on the appointment of those ministers whose candidatures have been submitted in accordance with these Rules of Procedure. Voting is held on the appointment of at least as many ministers as there are ministers that need to be appointed to enable the Government to assume office in accordance with the law.

Article 230

(1) Every candidate for minister appears before the competent working body of the National Assembly and answers questions from its members no sooner than three days and no later than seven days after the proposal of candidatures is submitted.

(2) A candidate for minister appears before the working body established for the same field of work as that in which he is to perform the office of minister. In a dispute over the competence of working bodies, the President of the National Assembly decides which working body the candidate must appear before.

(3) If the candidate for minister is a member of the working body before which he is to appear, he may not participate in the decision-making on the opinion on his presentation. In such case he is substituted for by a deputy from the same deputy group designated by the leader of the deputy group.

Article 231**

(1) The chairman of the working body immediately or no later than 48 hours after the presentation of the candidate for minister, sends to the President of the National Assembly and to the President of the Government the opinion adopted by the working body on the presentation of the proposed candidate.

(2) The President of the Government may withdraw the candidature proposal for minister no later than three days after receiving the opinion of the working body. In such case, he may simultaneously submit a new candidature for minister. The presentation of newly proposed candidates is made no later than three days after the submission of the new candidature proposal.

Article 232

Deputies vote on the appointment of ministers by voting on the list of candidates in its entirety.

Article 233

(1) If the list is not elected, a new vote is held on the basis of a new list of candidates. The President of the Government may include on the new list of candidates the candidates for ministers he included on the list which was not elected.

(2) The President of the Government submits the new list of candidates no later than ten days after the first vote.

(3) If the new list of candidates is also not elected, the President of the Government may propose that a vote be held separately on each candidate from the list of candidates. Voting is carried out by circling the number on the list next to the name of the candidate for whom the vote is being cast.

 

Article 234

(1) If a minister’s term of office ends during the term of the National Assembly, the new minister is appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the appointment of ministers and pursuant to the general provisions of these Rules of Procedure on elections and appointments.

(2) The President of the Government must, within ten days of the termination of a minister’s term of office, propose a new minister or inform the National Assembly that the office of such minister will be temporarily performed by the President of the Government himself or that it will be conferred on another minister.

c) The participation of the Government in the work of the National Assembly

Article 235**

(1) The President of the Government and the ministers represent the Government in the National Assembly.

(2) The President of the Government has the general right to represent the Government in the National Assembly and its working bodies.

(3) At sessions of the National Assembly, the Government may be represented by a minister or head of a Government office designated by the Government. If he is absent or otherwise engaged, the minister may be substituted for by the state secretary or head of an administrative authority within the ministry, while the head of a Government office may be substituted for by his deputy.

(4) At meetings of working bodies, the Government is represented by a minister, state secretary, head of an office within the ministry, or head of a Government office designated by the Government. If he is absent or otherwise engaged, the minister is substituted for by the state secretary or head of an administrative authority within the ministry, while the head of a government office may be substituted for by his deputy.

(5) If a minister and state secretary are engaged due to obligations at EU institutions or due to international obligations, they may be substituted for at meetings of working bodies by the director general of the directorate of the ministry. Such substitution is possible at sessions of the National Assembly only if so decided by the Council of the President of the National Assembly.

(6) All material sent to the National Assembly by the Government must include information on which Government representatives will participate in the work of the Assembly and its working bodies.

Article 236

The National Assembly and its working bodies inform the Government of their sessions and meetings, their agenda, and about adopted decisions, and send to the Government the necessary material.

Article 237

The National Assembly may adopt a decision requesting that the Government or an individual minister report to the National ­Assembly on the implementation of laws and other regulations adopted by the National Assembly, as well as on other measures within their competence and on the effects thereof.

Article 238

A deputy has the right to request that state administration bodies provide explanations necessary for work in his constituency.

Article 239

(1) The Government may report to the National Assembly on its work in writing or orally at a session of the National Assembly.

(2) If the Government sends a written report to the National Assembly, the President of the National Assembly immediately informs the deputies thereof. The representative of the Government may explain such written report at a session of the National Assembly.

 

 

č) Parliamentary questions and motions

Article 240**

(1) A question or a motion to regulate individual issues or to adopt certain measures within the scope of work of the Government, a minister, or a Government office may be presented to the Government, a minister, or the Secretary General of the Government by any deputy.

(2) Parliamentary questions may be presented orally or in writing. Parliamentary motions may only be in writing.

(3) A parliamentary question or motion must be short and concise and formulated in such a manner that its meaning is clear.

Article 241

(1) A special item on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly is reserved once a month for parliamentary questions.

(2) For each discussion of parliamentary questions, the Council determines the date and time of the beginning of the discussion of parliamentary questions and the duration of such discussion. As a general rule, the afternoon part of the session is intended for such discussion.

(3) During the discussion of parliamentary questions, the President of the Government, the ministers, and the Secretary General of the Government must be present at the session of the National Assembly.

ča) Oral questions

Article 242

(1) A deputy may only present two oral questions at each session.

(2) The deputy applies to present a parliamentary question to the President of the National Assembly no later than by noon of the day before the beginning of the session at which parliamentary questions are to be discussed. The application contains the question, which must be in accordance with paragraph three of Article 240 of these Rules of Procedure.

(3) Parliamentary questions related to events that have occurred after the time limit referred to in the preceding paragraph has expired may be presented by the deputy no later than two hours before the discussion of the item on the agenda under which parliamentary questions are discussed.

(4) Immediately after receiving the written application, the President of the National Assembly sends the question to the President of the Government, minister, or Secretary General of the Government to whom such question was addressed.

Article 243

If the written application clearly states that the parliamentary question relates to issues of local importance, the President of the National Assembly refers such question to the Government or minister in order for such to prepare a written answer.

Article 244**

(1) In determining the order of parliamentary questions, the person chairing the session of the National Assembly ensures that deputies of different deputy groups be given the floor, whereby the first four questions are asked by opposition deputies and a deputy of the governing coalition. If a deputy applies to present two parliamentary questions, he asks the second question only after all deputies have asked one parliamentary question each.

(2) If the first four questions relate to the formulation or implementation of Government policy, they are answered by the President of the Government.

Article 245

(1) The oral presentation of a parliamentary question may not exceed three minutes.

(2) The order of parliamentary questions, with the exception of the parliamentary questions referred to in paragraph two of the preceding article, is determined such that two opposition deputies are followed by a deputy of the governing coalition.

(3) Answers to parliamentary questions provided at the same session by the President of the Government, a minister, or the Secretary General of the Government may not exceed five minutes. If they are not able to provide an answer at the same session, they explain such orally and send a written answer within 30 days.

Article 246

(1) If the deputy is not satisfied with the answer received at the session, he may request that such answer be supplemented. The explanation of the deputy’s request that such answer be supplemented may not exceed two minutes, while the supplementation of an answer provided by the President of the Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government may not exceed three minutes.

(2) On the proposal of the deputy who asked the question, the ­National Assembly may decide to hold a debate on the answer provided by the Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government. The National Assembly decides thereon without debate.

Article 247**

If due to time restrictions, their absence, or for any other reason the President of the Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government is not able to answer the parliamentary question, the Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government must send a written answer within 30 days. The deputy who asked the question may declare that he requires an oral answer. In such case the question is placed on the agenda of the next session of the National Assembly.

čb) Written questions and motions

Article 248

Deputies submit written questions or motions to the President of the National Assembly. The President of the National Assembly immediately sends the written parliamentary question or motion to the Government, a minister, or the Secretary General of the Government.

Article 249

(1) The Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government answers the written parliamentary question or motion in writing within 30 days after receiving such.

(2) The President of the National Assembly immediately informs the deputy who submitted the written parliamentary question or motion of the answer. If the deputy is not satisfied with the answer, he may require that such answer be supplemented. The Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government sends the supplemented answer within 15 days after receiving the request.

čc) Unanswered parliamentary questions and motions after the expiry of the term of office of the Government, a minister, or the Secretary General of the Government**

Article 249a**

Upon the beginning of the term of office of a new Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government, unanswered parliamentary questions or motions submitted to the Government, minister, or the Secretary General of the Government are dismissed.

 

d) Interpellation

Article 250

(1) At least ten deputies may submit an interpellation with respect to the work of the Government or an individual minister, in which the issue which is the subject of the interpellation must be clearly stated and explained. The interpellation must be signed by all the deputies who submitted it.

(2) The President of the National Assembly immediately sends the interpellation to the President of the Government or to the minister to whom it refers, and to all the deputies. He also sets a time limit not shorter than 15 days and not longer than 30 days for the President of the Government or the minister to respond.

 

Article 251

(1) The President of the National Assembly immediately sends the answer of the Government or the minister to the interpellation to all the deputies.

(2) The National Assembly discusses and decides on the interpellation no later than at the next session after receiving the answer of the Government or the minister, provided that the deputies have received the answer to the interpellation at least 15 days before the session, or at the next session after the time limit for providing an answer to the interpellation has expired, provided that no answer to the interpellation has been given within such time limit.

Article 252

(1) The representative of the deputies who submitted the interpellation may explain the interpellation before the debate on such at a session of the National Assembly.

(2) Prior to the debate, the President of the Government or the minister to whom the interpellation refers may explain his written reply or respond orally to the interpellation.

(3) The submitters may withdraw the interpellation until the end of the debate on such.

Article 253

(1) After the debate on the interpellation has been concluded, the submitters of the interpellation may propose that the National Assembly adopt a decision assessing the work of the Government or the minister.

(2) After the debate on the interpellation regarding the work of the Government has been concluded, at least ten deputies may require that a vote of no confidence in the Government be held, provided that concurrently they also propose the election of a new President of the Government.

(3) After the debate on the interpellation regarding the work of the minister has been concluded, at least ten deputies may require that a vote of no confidence in the minister who was the subject of the interpellation be held.

(4) If, after the debate on the interpellation has been concluded, the proposal referred to in paragraph one of this article and the requirement referred to in paragraph two or three of this article are submitted, the National Assembly first votes on the requirement referred to in paragraph two or three of this article.

(5) The vote of no confidence in the Government is carried if a new President of the Government is elected.

(6) The provisions of these Rules of Procedure on a vote of no confidence in the Government apply to the procedure for electing a new President of the Government.

(7) If a vote of no confidence in a minister is carried, it is deemed that the minister is dismissed.

e) Vote of no confidence in the Government

Article 254

(1) The National Assembly decides on a vote of no confidence in the Government pursuant to a written proposal to elect a new President of the Government submitted by at least ten deputies.

(2) The President of the National Assembly immediately sends such proposal to the President of the Government, the President of the Republic, and to all deputies.

(3) Before the election of a new President of the Government, the President of the Government may reply to the proposal and explain his views on the hitherto work of the Government.

Article 255

(1) The provision of paragraph two of Article 225 of these Rules of Procedure applies with respect to the content of the proposal to elect a new President of the Government.

(2) If several proposals to elect a new President of the Government are submitted, they are placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly in the order of their submission. Voting on each proposed candidate for new President of the Government is held under a separate item of the agenda.

(3) The proposed candidate presents an outline of the work programme of the Government at the session of the National Assembly prior to the vote on his candidature.

 

Article 256

(1) The election of a new President of the Government is held no sooner than 48 hours and no later than seven days after the proposal for the election has been submitted.

(2) On the proposal of at least ten deputies or of the President of the National Assembly, the National Assembly may, by a majority vote of all the deputies, decide to hold the election at a later time, but no later than 30 days after the proposal for the election of a new President of the Government has been submitted.

f) Vote of confidence in the Government

Article 257

(1) A request for the National Assembly to hold a vote of confidence is sent by the President of the Government in writing to the President of the National Assembly.

(2) The vote of confidence is held no sooner than 48 hours and no later than seven days after the request has been submitted.

(3) The President of the Government may explain the request before the vote of confidence is held.

Article 258

(1) The President of the Government may tie the issue of confidence to the adoption of a law or to some other decision of the National Assembly, whereby he proposes that the law or other decision be adopted or not.

(2) In such case, the President of the Government may raise the issue of confidence also at a session of the National Assembly prior to voting on the law or other decision.

(3) If the President of the Government ties the issue of confidence to the adoption of a law or some other decision of the National Assembly, the vote of confidence is not voted on separately, instead, a vote is taken only on the law or other decision.

(4) It is deemed that the vote of confidence in the Government passes if the National Assembly votes on the law or other decision in accordance with the proposal of the President of the Government.

(5) It is deemed that a vote of confidence in the Government does not pass if the National Assembly votes on the law or other decision contrary to the proposal of the President of the Government.

Article 259

If a vote of confidence in the Government does not pass, the President of the Republic, a deputy group, or at least ten deputies may submit candidatures for new President of the Government within seven days. The provisions of Articles 225 to 228 of these Rules of Procedure apply with respect to the procedure for electing a new President of the Government, whereby in such case, if no candidate is elected at the first vote (Article 227), new candidatures must be submitted within three days of the session at which the first vote was held.

Article 260

(1) If a vote of confidence in the Government does not pass, the President of the Government may require that a new vote of confidence be held. If the first vote of confidence was tied to the adoption of a law or some other decision of the National Assembly, the new vote of confidence can not change the decision ­already adopted.

(2) If a vote of confidence in the Government does not pass also in the new vote of confidence, the vote of confidence can not be repeated.

g) Resignation of the Government or a minister

Article 261

(1) The President of the Government informs the President of the National Assembly of his resignation or of the resignation of a minister in writing. He informs such of the resignation of a minister within seven days of receiving a written statement of resignation from the minister.

(2) The notification of the resignation of the President of the Government or minister is placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly no later than seven days after receiving such notification.

(3) It is deemed that the office of the President of the Government or minister terminates when the National Assembly has been informed at a session of the resignation.

(4) The provisions of Articles 225 to 234 of these Rules of Procedure apply to the election of a new President of the Government and to the appointment of new ministers.

4. The relations of the National Assembly towards the Constitutional Court

Article 262

The National Assembly may decide to submit a request that proceedings be initiated before the Constitutional Court in order for it to decide:

– on the constitutionality and legality of a regulation of the Government or a minister, a local community regulation, or a general act issued for the exercise of public authority,

– on jurisdictional disputes between the National Assembly and the President of the Republic, the Government, the courts, other state authorities, or local community authorities,

– on the unconstitutionality of the acts and activities of political parties.

Article 263

(1) Every deputy may propose that the National Assembly initiate proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

(2) Such proposal must be submitted in writing and contain a detailed request to initiate proceedings before the Constitutional Court, together with a statement of reasons.

(3) The President of the National Assembly sends the proposal to the working body responsible and to the Legislative and Legal Service in order to obtain their opinions.

(4) The working body responsible discusses the proposal after obtaining the opinion of the Legislative and Legal Service.

Article 264

(1) On the basis of the decision of the National Assembly to initiate proceedings before the Constitutional Court, the Legislative and Legal Service prepares the final text of the request to initiate proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

(2) The request to initiate proceedings before the Constitutional Court is sent to the Constitutional Court by the President of the National Assembly, who also appoints a representative to represent the ­National Assembly in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

Article 265

(1) When the Constitutional Court sends a request or petition to initiate proceedings before the Constitutional Court or a ruling on initiating proceedings to the National Assembly, as the opposing party in such proceedings, in order to obtain a reply to the request or petition or to obtain information and explanations in the procedure for examining the petition, the President of the National Assembly sends such request or petition or such ruling to the working body responsible, the Legislative and Legal Service, and the Government in order to obtain their opinions.

(2) The working body responsible discusses the request or petition or the ruling referred to in the preceding paragraph after obtaining the opinions of the Legislative and Legal Service and the Government.

(3) If the chairman of the working body responsible establishes that the discussion can not take place within the time limit determined by the Constitutional Court to provide a reply, he informs the President of the National Assembly thereof, who forwards such information to the Constitutional Court and proposes that the time limit necessary to provide a reply be extended.

Article 266

(1) The reply to the request or petition and the information and explanations regarding the petition referred to in the preceding article are prepared by the Legislative and Legal Service on the basis of the opinion of the working body responsible.

(2) The reply and the information and explanations are sent to the Constitutional Court by the President of the National Assembly, who also appoints a representative to represent the National Assembly in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

Article 267

(1) When the Constitutional Court requests that the National Assembly provide additional information and explanations in proceedings in which the National Assembly is a party, the requested information and explanations are sent to the Constitutional Court by the representative of the National Assembly in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

(2) When the Constitutional Court requests that the National Assembly provide information and explanations in proceedings in which the National Assembly is not a party, the requested information and explanations are sent to the Constitutional Court by the Secretary General.

Article 268

(1) When the Constitutional Court requests that the National Assembly provide a reply to a constitutional complaint against an individual act issued by the National Assembly, such reply is prepared by the working body that proposed the act or by the service that prepared the draft act if such act had not been proposed by a working body. The reply is sent to the Constitutional Court by the President of the National Assembly, who also appoints a representative to represent the National Assembly in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

(2) When the Constitutional Court requests that the National Assembly provide a reply to a constitutional complaint against an individual act issued by a working body of the National Assembly, such reply is sent to the Constitutional Court by the working body that issued the act. Such working body also appoints a representative to represent it in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

(3) When the Constitutional Court requests that the National Assembly provide a reply to a constitutional complaint against an individual act issued by a service of the National Assembly, such reply is sent to the Constitutional Court by the Secretary General, who also appoints a representative to represent the service in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

Article 269

(1) When the Constitutional Court requests that the ­National Assembly provide a reply to a request by the President of the Republic, the Government, a court, any other state authority, or a local community authority to decide in a jurisdictional dispute between the National Assembly and the President of the Republic, the Government, the court, any other state authority, or a local community authority, or to an initiative to settle such dispute presented by one of the parties in the proceedings that led to the jurisdictional dispute, the President of the National Assembly sends such request or initiative to the working body responsible and the Legislative and Legal Service and requests that they deliver an opinion thereon.

(2) The working body responsible discusses such request or initiative after obtaining the opinion of the Legislative and Legal Service, and prepares a reply.

(3) The reply to the request or initiative is prepared by the Legislative and Legal Service on the basis of the opinion of the working body responsible. Such reply is sent to the Constitutional Court by the President of the National Assembly, who also appoints a representative to represent the National Assembly in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

Article 270

When the Constitutional Court requests that the National Assembly provide a reply to a complaint with regard to a decision of the National Assembly on the confirmation of the election of deputies, the reply is prepared by the Commission for Public Office and Elections. Such reply is sent to the Constitutional Court by the President of the National Assembly, who also appoints a representative to represent the National Assembly in the proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

Article 271

When the Constitutional Court informs the National Assembly of the proposal of the President of the Republic, the Government, or one third of the deputies that in the process of ratifying a treaty the Constitutional Court state its opinion on the conformity of such treaty with the Constitution, the National Assembly suspends the process of ratifying the treaty until it receives the opinion by the Constitutional Court.

5. The relations of the National Assembly towards the ombudsman for human rights

Article 272

(1) A special item on the agenda of a regular session of the National Assembly in the autumn term is reserved for discussion of the regular annual report of the ombudsman for human rights. A special item on the agenda of a regular session of the National Assembly in the spring or autumn terms may also be reserved for discussion of a special report of the ombudsman for human rights.

(2) The special report is placed on the agenda of a session of the National Assembly if it is received by the deputies at least 15 days prior to the session.

(3) The ministers whose scope of work the special report refers to must be present during the discussion of the special report at the session of the National Assembly.

(4) After the discussion, the National Assembly adopts the recommendation referred to in Article 111 of these Rules of Procedure.

6. The relations of the National Assembly towards other state authorities

Article 273

(1) When a court or other state authority in proceedings requests, in accordance with the law, that the National Assembly provide a reply, a position statement, or information, the President of the National Assembly determines which working body or service will prepare such.

(2) The reply referred to in the preceding paragraph is sent to the court or other state authority by the Secretary General.

V.a. PROCEDURE FOR DRAFT ACTS AND OTHER PROPOSALS FOLLOWING THE EARLY TERMINATION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF A DEPUTY**

Article 273a**

If the term of office of a deputy who is co-sponsoring a proposal for the submission of which the Constitution, the law, or these Rules of Procedure require a certain number of proposers, terminates prior to the expiry of the term of the National Assembly, such has no impact on the continuation of the procedure.

Article 273b**

Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph two of Article 114 of these Rules of Procedure, if the term of office of a deputy who is sponsoring a draft law or other act terminates prior to the expiry of the term of the National Assembly, another deputy may, until the end of the time limit referred to in paragraph one of Article 118 of these Rules of Procedure, assume the sponsorship or declare co-sponsorship.

VI. INTERNATIONAL AND OTHER FORMS
OF COOPERATION

1. International cooperation

Article 274

(1) The National Assembly cooperates with representative bodies of other states, with international parliamentary institutions, and with international organisations and international bodies.

(2) In particular, regarding matters of common interest the National Assembly harmonises positions, organises common activities and joint meetings of representatives, exchanges delegations, organises study visits by experts, and exchanges documentary material and infor­mation.

(3) The National Assembly also forms joint working bodies with representative bodies of other states and international institutions and organisations.

(4) The rules on the performance of international activities by the National Assembly are adopted by the Council.

Article 275

(1) The composition of delegations to international parliamentary institutions, international organisations, and international bodies is determined by the Council on the proposal of the working body responsible for international relations or, in the case of international cooperation within the framework of the European Union, on the proposal of the working body responsible for this area.

(2) In determining the composition of the delegations referred to in the preceding paragraph, the representation of deputy groups in the National Assembly is taken into appropriate consideration.

2. Cooperation with Slovene minorities, emigrants, and workers abroad

Article 276

(1) When discussing issues that relate to maintaining concern for autochthonous Slovene national minorities in neighbouring states and for Slovene emigrants and workers abroad and to fostering their contacts with the homeland, the National Assembly and its working bodies invite to their sessions the representatives of organisations of Slovene national minorities and ­Slovene emigrants and workers abroad, or individual members of such ­communities.

(2) Prior to discussing the issues referred to in the preceding paragraph, the National Assembly and its working bodies may request that organisations of Slovene national minorities, emigrants, and workers abroad provide their opinions.

Article 277

Organisations of Slovene national minorities in neighbouring states and of Slovene emigrants and workers abroad may send initiatives and proposals regarding the issues referred to in the preceding article to the National Assembly. Such initiatives and proposals are discussed by the working body responsible, which may ­propose that the National Assembly take a position thereon or adopt an appropriate act.

VII. THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
DURING A STATE OF WAR OR EMERGENCY

Article 278

In accordance with the ensuing circumstances and in the interests of defence and security, during a state of war or emergency derogations from the provisions of these Rules of Procedure are admissible regarding:

– the time limits determined for the convening of sessions of the National Assembly and its working bodies and sending material,

– the manner of convening sessions and sending material, and the venue, location, and time of convening sessions,

– the time limits for discussing draft laws and other acts,

– the discussion of draft laws and other acts within working bodies,

– the openness of the work and informing the public of the work of the National Assembly.

Article 279

During a state of war or emergency, the President of the National Assembly establishes and informs the Government and the President of the Republic:

– that the National Assembly is unable to convene,

– that the circumstances under which the National Assembly was unable to convene have ceased to exist.

 

 

Article 280

If during a state of war or emergency the National Assembly is unable to convene and thus the President of the Republic adopts the decisions referred to in Article 92 of the Constitution and issues decrees with the force of law, the National Assembly discusses such decisions and decrees and decides on their confirmation immediately upon it next convening.

Article 281

(1) During a state of war or emergency, deputies must without delay and in person or through competent state authorities inform the President of the National Assembly of the address and phone number where they can be reached.

(2) During a state of war or emergency, the commands, units, and institutions of the defence forces, the police, and other state authorities provide all necessary and possible assistance to deputies so that they are able to attend the sessions of the National Assembly and its working bodies.

VIII. INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Article 282

(1) During sessions of the National Assembly or one of its working bodies, the Rules of Procedure are interpreted by the chairperson.

(2) When the National Assembly is not in session, interpretation of the Rules of Procedure is provided by the Commission for the Rules of Procedure at the request of deputies, the working ­bodies of the National Assembly, or the Government.

(3) Where necessary, the commission obtains the opinion of the Legislative and Legal Service. It adopts the interpretation by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present.

(4) The commission may propose that the National Assembly adopt an authentic interpretation of the Rules of Procedure pursuant to the procedure provided by these Rules of Procedure for an authentic interpretation of a law.

IX. TIME LIMITS

Article 283

(1) The time limits determined by these Rules of Procedure in terms of hours continue irrespective of Sundays, national holidays, and other public holidays.

(2) The time limits determined by these Rules of Procedure in terms of days which expire on a Sunday, national holiday, or other public holiday are extended to the next working day.

X. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 284

(1) The procedures for adopting acts of the National Assembly that had begun before these Rules of Procedure entered into force continue and terminate pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure as follows:

– for draft laws for which the first reading has not yet been concluded, it is deemed that the legislative procedure has begun and they are dealt with in their entirety pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure; the time limit referred to in Article 123 begins on the 30^th day after the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure, except for draft laws that have been included in the time schedule for the second month after the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure; for such, the time limit referred to in Article 123 begins on the day of the adoption of the time schedule;

– the discussion of draft laws for which the first reading has been concluded but the proposer has not yet submitted the draft law for the second reading continues with the discussion of the law in the working body responsible pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure for the second reading, whereby the draft law is prepared for the second reading by the proposer;

– the discussion of draft laws that have been submitted for the second reading continues with the discussion of the draft law in the working body responsible pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure for the second reading;

– the discussion of draft laws for which the second reading has been concluded continues pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure for the third reading, whereby the draft law, if it has not yet been submitted for the third reading, is prepared by the ­proposer;

– the discussion of draft laws which the National Assembly has decided to discuss by the fast-track procedure continues pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the urgent procedure;

– the discussion of draft national programmes is begun anew.

(2) The discussion of other draft acts which are discussed pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of Procedure on the discussion and adoption of a law continues pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3) Proposals to discuss laws by the fast-track procedure submitted before these Rules of Procedure entered into force are deemed to be proposals for discussion by the urgent procedure. Proposals to discuss laws by the fast-track procedure that have not been submitted by the Government are not accepted for consideration.

(4) The discussion of draft laws which the National Assembly has decided to discuss by the shortened procedure continues pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure on the shortened procedure.

(5) Amendments tabled pursuant to the provisions of the hitherto Rules of Procedure are not accepted for consideration.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, the provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the National ­Assembly (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, Nos. 40/93, 80/94, 3/95 – corrigendum, 28/96, 26/97, 46/2000, 3/01, 9/01, 13/01, and 45/01 – Constitutional Court decision) apply for the discussion of draft acts at a session of the National Assembly which began before these Rules of Procedure entered into force but which has not ­concluded by the entry into force of such.

Article 285

(1) On the day of the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure, the Commission for Elections, Appointments, and Administrative Affairs and the Mandates and Immunity Commission cease to exist. The National Assembly is to appoint the chairman and deputy chairman of the Commission for Public Office and Elections no later than 15 days after the coming into force of these Rules of Procedure, while the deputy groups are to appoint their members to such according to the number of seats they are entitled to in the Commission for Public Office and Elections no later than 18 days after the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure.

(2) Upon the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure, the hitherto Secretariat for Legislation and Legal Affairs continues its work as the Legislative and Legal Service pursuant to the provisions of these Rules of Procedure.

Article 286

On the day of the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure, the hitherto Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly cease to apply (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, Nos. 40/93, 80/94, 3/95 – corrigendum, 28/96, 26/97, 46/2000, 3/01, 9/01, 13/01, and 45/01 – Constitutional Court decision).

Article 287

The Act on Internal Organisation and the System of Positions in the National Assembly is adopted within two months of the entry into force of these Rules of Procedure. Pending the adoption of this act, the Ordinance on the Organisation and Work of the Services of the National Assembly (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slo­venia, Nos. 19/97 and 124/2000) and the Rules on Organisation and the System of Positions in the National Assembly apply wherever such are not contrary to these Rules of Procedure.

Article 288

(1) These Rules of Procedure enter into force on 15 July 2002.

(2) The provisions of paragraph two of Article 25 and paragraph two of Article 27 of these Rules of Procedure ­enter into force upon the termination of office of the Secretary ­General and the Secretary of the Secretariat for Legislation and ­Legal ­Affairs, respectively.

(3) The provisions of Articles 172 to 183 of these Rules of Procedure enter into force on the 15^th day after their publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The discussion of proposals to initiate the procedure for amending the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia which began before the provisions referred to in the preceding sentence entered into force continues pursuant to the provisions of Articles 172 to 183 of these Rules of Procedure.