Code of Ethics for Deputies

Pursuant to Article 24 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 92/07 – official consolidated text, 105/10, 80/13, 38/17 and 46/20), the Council of the President of the National Assembly adopted, at its 71st meeting of 12 June 2020, the following

 

Code of Ethics for Deputies

of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia

 

I. GENERAL

 

Article 1

The Code of Ethics for Deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia (hereinafter: the Code) sets out the principles according to which deputies shall act in the performance of their duties. The Code applies to all deputies; non-compliance with the principles of this Code shall bring dishonour to both the deputy and the National Assembly.

 

Article 2

The Code of Ethics does not interfere with the position and rights of deputies, which are determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly and laws.

 

Article 3

The Code shall be given to a deputy upon the confirmation of his or her election. Each deputy shall be deemed to be familiar with the Code from the date of the confirmation of his or her election.

 

II. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

 

Article 4

Reputation and Integrity

Deputies shall act in such a manner so as to protect the reputation of the Republic of Slovenia, the reputation of the National Assembly and the reputation of the office of deputy.

Deputies shall act in such a manner so as to strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the National Assembly and the office of deputy and shall avoid conduct that would damage the reputation thereof in the country or abroad.

 

Article 5

Loyalty

Deputies shall observe generally accepted moral principles and be loyal to their country and the legal regime. Deputies shall not violate the legal regime and shall act in the public interest.

Deputies shall strive for the good of the Republic of Slovenia and its citizens and inhabitants. Deputies shall love their country and foster the development and strengthening of the values ​​and principles of democratic society and respect for human rights and freedoms.

 

Article 6

Justice and Fairness

Deputies shall perform their duties conscientiously, justly and fairly. Deputies shall not accept any payments, gifts or other benefits and shall not enter into transactions or accept services that could influence their decisions. Deputies shall not use information obtained in the performance of official duties for personal gain.

Deputies shall use public funds, objects and other public property used to perform the office of deputy with due diligence.

 

Article 7

Responsibility

Deputies shall perform the duties and tasks entrusted to them in a professional, conscientious and responsible manner.

Deputies shall be environmentally aware and shall have a responsible attitude towards the environment. By their example, deputies shall promote care for the environment and act in an environmentally friendly manner.

 

Article 8

Dignity and Respect

Deputies shall act in a decorous, respectful, tolerant and non-discriminatory manner. At the sessions of the National Assembly, meetings of working bodies, working and other meetings, deputies shall act in a manner that does not disturb the work of their colleagues and other participants, shall foster democratic dialogue and shall not be offensive.

At the sessions of the National Assembly and meetings of working bodies, as well as in the performance of international activities, deputies shall be dressed in a decent manner appropriate to their office.

 

Article 9

Leading officials of the National Assembly

The leading officials of the National Assembly shall be an example of respect for and the promotion of ethical principles. They shall ensure compliance with the Code also by drawing attention to the inadmissibility of violations of the Code.

 

 

III. VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE

 

Article 10

Unethical deputy conduct and violations of the Code shall be discussed by the Council of the President of the National Assembly (hereinafter: the Council) at a closed meeting. A proposal to assess a violation of the Code shall be submitted to the Council by the President of the National Assembly or a Vice-President of the National Assembly. The proposal and materials for decision-making shall be of a restricted nature and shall not be available to the public.

The Council shall determine by a decision whether the Code has been violated. If it finds that the Code has been violated, it shall impose the following sanctions:

  • in the event of a minor violation, a reprimand shall be imposed on the deputy without public announcement;
  • in the event of a serious violation, a reprimand shall be imposed on the deputy with public announcement on the website of the National Assembly;
  • in the event of a repeated serious violation, a reprimand shall be imposed on the deputy with public announcement on the website of the National Assembly and a declaration of the violation at the next session of the National Assembly.

The Council shall establish violations and impose the sanctions referred to in the first, second and third indents of the preceding paragraph if the imposition thereof is supported by the leaders of deputy groups whose members represent two thirds of all deputies in the National Assembly.

 

 

IV. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 11

The Code shall enter into force on the day following its publication.

 

Article 12

The Code shall be published on the website of the National Assembly.

The President of the National Assembly shall send the Code in writing to the deputies no later than 30 days after its publication.