President of Slovenia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Slovenia
Flag of the President
Incumbent Nataša Pirc Musar since 23 December 2022
Office of the President of the Republic
Style	Madam President (Slovene: Gospa predsednica) (informal) Her Excellency (Slovene: Njena ekscelenca) (diplomatic)
Member of	National Security Council (upon invitation of the Prime Minister)
Reports to	National Assembly
Residence	None
Seat	Gregorčičeva 25 1000 Ljubljana Predsedniška palača
Appointer	Popular vote
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Slovenia
Inaugural holder	Milan Kučan
Formation	10 May 1990; 35 years ago (1990-05-10) (de facto) 23 December 1991; 33 years ago (1991-12-23) (de jure)
Deputy	Speaker of the National Assembly (as acting president)
Salary	€5,419 monthly
Website	Official website: http://www.up-rs.si/

The President of Slovenia is the head of state for the country of Slovenia. This important role was created on December 23, 1991. This happened after Slovenia became independent from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and adopted its own constitution. Since then, five different people have served as president. The current president is Nataša Pirc Musar, who is the first woman to hold this position in Slovenia. The president's main office is located in the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana.

How is the President of Slovenia Elected?

The president is chosen by the people of Slovenia through a direct vote. Anyone who is a Slovenian citizen and at least 18 years old can run for president. A president serves for five years and can only be elected for two terms.

The president does not have special protection from the law. They can be removed from office if they break the law while serving.

What Does the President Do?

The President of Slovenia is the highest representative of the country. This role is separate from the government, parliament, or courts. The president's job is to represent Slovenia to other countries and to help keep the country united at home. They are also the commander-in-chief of Slovenia's armed forces.

The president makes sure that laws are followed and helps keep Slovenia's democratic system running smoothly. When they take office, they promise to "uphold the constitutional order" and "do all in my power for the good of Slovenia."

Slovenia has a parliamentary system of government. This means the president mostly has a ceremonial role and limited political power. The prime minister and the government handle most of the country's daily operations. However, the government must keep the president informed about important matters. The president can also make certain decisions without needing the prime minister's approval.

Working with Laws (Legislative Functions)

• Calling Parliament Sessions: The president can call for national elections and start the first meeting of the new parliament, called the National Assembly. This must happen within a certain time after elections.
• Calling Special Meetings: The president can also call for special, urgent meetings of the National Assembly.
• Ending Parliament and Calling New Elections: The president has the power to end the National Assembly's term early and call for new elections. This only happens if the National Assembly cannot choose a prime minister within 30 days, or if they vote against the government and fail to choose a new prime minister within 30 days.
• Sharing Opinions: The president can share their thoughts on important national issues with the National Assembly. They can do this on their own or if the National Assembly asks them to.
• Signing Laws: After the National Assembly passes a law, the president officially signs it within eight days. The president cannot refuse to sign a law that has been properly passed.

Working with the Government (Executive Functions)

• Choosing the Prime Minister: The president suggests a person to the National Assembly to become the prime minister. They talk to leaders of different political parties first. The National Assembly then votes on this person. If the first choice isn't approved, the president can suggest other people until a prime minister is chosen.
• Appointing Officials: The president suggests people for other important jobs, like the head of the Central Bank of Slovenia, members of the Court of Audit, and the Human Rights Ombudsman. If the National Assembly approves these people, the president officially appoints them.
• Representing Slovenia Abroad: The president is Slovenia's top representative in international matters. They appoint and recall Slovenian ambassadors and welcome foreign diplomats to Slovenia. They also make and receive state visits. The president works with the foreign minister on these matters but doesn't have to follow their advice. The president also signs international agreements after they are approved by the National Assembly.
• Leading the Armed Forces: The president is the supreme commander-in-chief of the Slovenian Armed Forces. They can declare a state of emergency or a state of war if Slovenia is attacked, but only if the National Assembly cannot meet. The president also:
  • Appoints all high-ranking officers in the armed forces.
  • Approves plans for the armed forces' operations and needs.
  • Stays informed about the armed forces' readiness.
  • Receives updates from the military's intelligence service.
  • Can order the military to prepare for action, but usually only if the government suggests it.
  • Decides how the armed forces are used and deployed, especially during an emergency.
• Issuing Special Orders: In times of national crisis, like a war or emergency, the president can issue special orders that have the power of law. These orders might temporarily limit some individual rights, but only if the National Assembly cannot meet and the government requests it. The president can choose to accept or refuse the government's request.

Working with the Courts (Judicial Functions)

• Granting Pardons: The president can grant pardons or reduce sentences for people convicted of crimes in Slovenia. This is entirely up to the president.
• Choosing Constitutional Court Judges: The president suggests nine judges for the Constitutional Court. These judges serve for nine years. The National Assembly then votes to approve or reject these choices.
• Choosing Judicial Council Members: The president suggests five members for the Judicial Council. These members are usually law professors or lawyers. The National Assembly votes on these choices.
• Choosing International Court Judges: The president suggests Slovenian judges for international courts like the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. The National Assembly then votes on these choices.
• Giving and Taking Away State Awards: The president is the source of all state honors in Slovenia. They give out medals and awards to people who have made important contributions to society, international relations, or national security. The president decides who receives these awards, but citizens and organizations can suggest candidates. A Slovenian citizen also needs the president's permission to accept an award from another country.

List of Presidents of Slovenia

Presidents of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia (before independence)

Parties;       KPS / ZKS       OF       SDP

No.	Name (Birth–Death)	Portrait	Term of office		Political party
Presidents of the People's Assembly 1953–1974
1	Ferdo Kozak (1894–1957)		30 January 1953	15 December 1953	OF
2	Miha Marinko (1900–1983)		15 December 1953	9 June 1962	ZKS
3	Vida Tomšič (1913–1998)		9 June 1962	25 June 1963	ZKS
5	Ivan Maček (1908–1993)		25 June 1963	9 May 1967	ZKS
6	Sergej Kraigher (1914–2001)		9 May 1967	1973	ZKS
7	Tone Kropušek (1928–2017)		1973	1974	ZKS
8	Marijan Brecelj (1910–1989)		1974	9 May 1974	ZKS
Presidents of the Presidency 1974–1991
9	Sergej Kraigher (1914–2001)		9 May 1974	23 May 1979	ZKS
10	Viktor Avbelj (1914–1993)		23 May 1979	7 May 1984	ZKS
11	France Popit (1921–2013)		7 May 1984	6 May 1988	ZKS
12	Janez Stanovnik (1922–2020)		6 May 1988	10 May 1990	ZKS
(12)					SDP
13	Milan Kučan (born 1941)		10 May 1990	23 December 1991	SDP

Presidents of the Republic of Slovenia (since independence)

Parties;       ZLSD / SD       LDS       Independent

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Political Party	Elected
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
Presidents 1991–present
1		Milan Kučan (born 1941)	23 December 1991	22 December 2002	10 years, 364 days	SD Independent	1990 1992 1997
2		Janez Drnovšek (1950–2008)	22 December 2002	23 December 2007	5 years, 1 day	LDS Independent	2002
3		Danilo Türk (born 1952)	23 December 2007	22 December 2012	4 years, 365 days	Independent	2007
4		Borut Pahor (born 1963)	22 December 2012	22 December 2022	10 years	SD Independent	2012 2017
5		Nataša Pirc Musar (born 1968)	23 December 2022	Incumbent	2 years, 180 days	Independent	2022

Latest Election

See also

• Prime Minister of Slovenia