2014 Slovenian parliamentary election explained

Election Name:2014 Slovenian parliamentary election
Country:Slovenia
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2011 Slovenian parliamentary election
Previous Year:2011
Next Election:2018 Slovenian parliamentary election
Next Year:2018
Seats For Election:All 90 seats in the National Assembly
Majority Seats:46
Election Date:13 July 2014
Turnout:50.99% (14.61 pp)
Leader1:Miro Cerar
Party1:Party of Miro Cerar
Last Election1:New
Seats1:36
Seat Change1:New
Popular Vote1:298,342
Percentage1:34.61%
Leader2:Janez Janša
Party2:Slovenian Democratic Party
Last Election2:26 seats, 26.19%
Seats2:21
Seat Change2: 5
Popular Vote2:178,294
Percentage2:20.69%
Leader3:Karl Erjavec
Party3:Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia
Last Election3:6 seats, 6.97%
Seats3:10
Seat Change3: 4
Popular Vote3:88,026
Percentage3:10.21%
Leader4:Dejan Židan
Party4:Social Democrats (Slovenia)
Last Election4:10 seats, 10.52%
Seats4:6
Seat Change4: 4
Popular Vote4:52,249
Percentage4:5.98%
Leader5:collective leadership
Party5:United Left (Slovenia)
Last Election5:New
Seats5:6
Seat Change5:New
Popular Vote5:52,189
Percentage5:5.97%
Leader6:Ljudmila Novak
Party6:New Slovenia
Last Election6:4 seats, 4.88%
Seats6:5
Seat Change6: 1
Popular Vote6:48,846
Percentage6:5.59%
Leader7:Alenka Bratušek
Party7:Alliance of Alenka Bratušek
Last Election7:New
Seats7:4
Seat Change7:New
Popular Vote7:38,293
Percentage7:4.38%
Map Size:420px
Prime Minister
Before Election:Alenka Bratušek
Before Party:Alliance of Alenka Bratušek
Posttitle:Prime Minister after election
After Election:Miro Cerar
After Party:Party of Miro Cerar

Parliamentary elections were held in Slovenia on 13 July 2014 to elect the 90 deputies of the National Assembly.[1] The early election, less than three years after the previous one, was called following the resignation of Alenka Bratušek's government in May. Seventeen parties participated, including seven new parties, some of which formed only months before the election took place. Party of Miro Cerar (SMC), a new party led by lawyer and professor Miro Cerar, won the election with over 34% of the vote and 36 seats. Seven political parties won seats in the National Assembly. Three political parties left the Assembly, including Zoran Janković's Positive Slovenia, the winner of the 2011 election. A leftist United Left party entered the Assembly for the first time, winning six seats.

Background

After the previous elections in 2011, a right-leaning five-party coalition government was formed, composed of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), Civic List (DL), Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia (DeSUS), Slovenian People's Party (SLS), and New Slovenia (NSi.)[2] Janez Janša, the president of the SDS, became Prime Minister. Janša's government collapsed on 27 February 2013 after he was accused of corruption.[3] Janša was later sentenced to 2 years in prison, and fined €37,000.[4]

A new government was formed by Positive Slovenia (PS), the Social Democrats (SD), DL, and DeSUS.[5] PS leader Alenka Bratušek became Prime Minister. On 25 April 2014, congress of Pozitivna Slovenija was held in Brdo pri Kranju. The main agenda was the election of the next president of the party. Two candidates applied for the post: previous president Zoran Janković and the incumbent Alenka Bratušek. Coalition parties SD, DL and DeSUS threatened to leave the government if Jankovič were elected. Janković was indeed elected,[6] triggering Bratušek's formal resignation as the PM on 5 May.[7]

On 1 June 2014 president of Slovenia Borut Pahor announced the dissolution of the Assembly on 2 June and that the election would take place on 13 July.[1] Pahor's decision to call the election during a summer month triggered some opposition from civil initiatives,[8] however, the Constitutional Court of Slovenia backed the election date.[9] [10]

Several new political parties entered the election, including Party of Miro Cerar (SMC) which was formally established on 2 June,[11] and Alliance of Alenka Bratušek (ZaAB), a splinter party from Positive Slovenia, that was established on 31 May.[12] United Left, Verjamem, and the Pirate Party took place for the first time in the European Parliament election on 25 May and participated in the national election as well.[13] [14] Solidarity Party agreed to enter the election together with Social Democrats,[15] which earlier entered into an alliance with DeSUS, albeit with separate candidates lists.[16]

Janez Janša began serving his two-year prison sentence on 20 June,[17] which, according to the media, influenced the campaign of his party.[18]

Opinion polls

See main article: Opinion polling for the 2014 Slovenian parliamentary election.

Aftermath

The Party of Miro Cerar (SMC) won a plurality in the election by a large margin with 36 seats. The only party that managed to win a higher percentage of the votes was Janez Drnovšek's Liberal Democracy of Slovenia at the 2000 election.[19] Janša's Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) came second, losing 5 seats in comparison with the 2011 election. The difference between the first two parties turned out to be higher than most of opinion polls predicted. DeSUS placed third with 10 seats, the best result in party's history. United Left won 6 seats, with tracking polls showing gaining the momentum in the last days before the election.[20] The Social Democrats lost 4 seats and obtained their worst election result.[21] New Slovenia won an additional mandate and the Alliance of Alenka Bratušek managed to win 4 seats. The Slovenian People's Party, Positive Slovenia (the winner of the 2011 election), and Civic List all failed to retain seats in the Assembly. All other parties also failed to reach the 4% threshold. Turnout was slightly below 51%, the lowest since Slovenian independence.[22] On the other hand, a record 3.9% of voters voted in the early election.[23]

In accordance with the Constitution of Slovenia, two seats are allocated to the Italian and Hungarian national communities, with one representative given to each community. Members of the Italian community elected Roberto Battelli as their representative, and members of the Hungarian community elected László Göncz. They were the sole candidates.[24]

Following the results, Miro Cerar (the likely new Prime Minister[25]) stated he perceives the large public support as a responsibility. He said he was open to enter coalition talks with all parties, except the SDS, which is "directly undermining the rule of legal institutions".[26] Zvonko Černač of SDS said in his first reaction that the party considers the election result as illegitimate, since the party president was in prison for corruption after what SDS considered a politically motivated process.[27] Karl Erjavec of DeSUS stated that the party is ready to enter the coalition talks and that they will protect the pension funds. United Left, which was positively surprised by their result, stated that they are willing to participate in a government, although they won't compromise on their political programme.[26] Dejan Židan of the Social Democrats was disappointed with the results, saying he had expected SD to score higher. New Slovenia and ZaAB both perceived their results as a success. Franc Bogovič of the Slovenian People's Party was surprised by the fact that the party missed the required 4% of the vote, albeit only barely, and stated that he will not run for the party president at the congress.[26]

International media noted that the winner of the election is a political newcomer and that his success is "punishment by voters for the traditional parties, tarnished by corruption scandals and years of economic turmoil".[28] Cerar was seen as a politician untarnished by the corruption scandals.[29] Media also noted that Cerar opposes selling controlling stakes of strategic infrastructure, such as telecoms provider Telekom Slovenia and the international airport, Aerodrom Ljubljana, and stressed that one of his main tasks will be to reduce the national budget deficit.[28] Croatian media drew parallels between Cerar and Drnovšek, hoping that Cerar will return political culture, tolerance, and mutual respect into Slovenian politics.[28] [30] Jutarnji List saw the main reason for the defeat of SDS in the fact that the party has relied too much on the imprisoned party president.[28] The Wall Street Journal stated that the most likely coalition partners would be the Social Democrats and DeSUS[31] while Slovenian journal Finance suggested that the best coalition would be with the Social Democrats, New Slovenia, and ZaAB.[32] A coalition government of SMC, DeSUS and the Social Democrats was formed in September.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pahor predčasne volitve razpisal za 13. julij, Solidarnost že napovedala ustavno presojo | Dnevnik . Dnevnik.si . 2014-04-28 . 2014-07-09 . 2014-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140604044854/http://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/razpust-parlamenta-in-razpis-volitev-verjetno-ze-danes . live .
  2. News: Enter the Political Year of the Dragon . Slovenia Times . Slovenian Press Agency . 7 February 2012 . 30 January 2014 . 8 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308083444/http://www.sloveniatimes.com/enter-the-political-year-of-the-dragon . live .
  3. Web site: Znotraj DZ-ja jasna podpora, zunaj njega odzivi mešani :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . 2014-01-30 . 2013-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203063200/http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/znotraj-dz-ja-jasna-podpora-zunaj-njega-odzivi-mesani/303371 . live .
  4. News: BBC News – Ex-Slovenian PM Janez Jansa convicted of corruption . BBC News . 5 June 2013 . 2018-06-20 . 2018-12-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181202155706/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22781752 . live .
  5. Web site: Optimizem po prvih pogovorih pri Bratuškovi :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 27 February 2013 . 30 January 2014 . 2 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130302213722/http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/optimizem-po-prvih-pogovorih-pri-bratuskovi/303366 . live .
  6. News: Slovenia government facing collapse as PM loses party leadership . The Guardian . Associated Press . 26 April 2014 . 16 December 2016 . 25 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160725121830/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/26/slovenia-government-facing-collapse-pm-loses-leadership . live .
  7. Web site: Bratuškova bo danes odstopila . Delo.si . 2014-05-03 . 2014-07-09 . 2014-05-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140507040856/http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/bratuskova-bo-danes-odstopila.html . live .
  8. Web site: Avtor Marko . Kovačevič. Vanessa. Čokl . Večer: Prva pobuda proti julijskim volitvam: bi lahko bilo sporno Pahorjevo skrajšanje 30 dni? . Nov.vecer.com . 2014-07-09 . dead . https://archive.today/20140711063337/http://nov.vecer.com/clanek.aspx?id=201406036033467 . 2014-07-11 .
  9. Web site: Volitve bodo 13. julija. Pahor: Dvom o ustavnosti moje odločitve je odpravljen. :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2012-08-21 . 2014-07-09 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203029/http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/volitve-bodo-13-julija-pahor-dvom-o-ustavnosti-moje-odlocitve-je-odpravljen/339113 . live .
  10. Web site: Ustavno sodišče zavrglo in zavrnilo pobude: volitve bodo 13. julija . Delo.si . 2014-05-25 . 2014-07-09 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131403/http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/ustavno-sodisce-zavrglo-in-zavrnilo-pobude-volitve-bodo-13-julija.html . live .
  11. Web site: Cerar s svojo stranko na predčasne volitve :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2013-05-15 . 2014-07-09 . 2015-11-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151104225413/http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/cerar-s-svojo-stranko-na-predcasne-volitve/336445 . live .
  12. Web site: "Želim, da ob dveh črkah ne vidite le mojega imena, ampak začetnici abecede" :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2014-05-31 . 2014-07-09 . 2014-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140602231737/http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/zelim-da-ob-dveh-crkah-ne-vidite-le-mojega-imena-ampak-zacetnici-abecede/338236 . live .
  13. Web site: Združena levica: Levica je že povezana . 25 May 2014 . Delo.si . 2014-07-09 . 2014-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140703014648/http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/zdruzena-levica-levica-je-ze-povezana.html . live .
  14. Web site: Verjamem vložila kandidatno listo v vseh volilnih okrajih | Slovenija – Planet . Siol.net . 2014-06-19 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140722075847/http://www.siol.net/novice/slovenija/2014/06/igor_soltes.aspx . 2014-07-22 . dead .
  15. Web site: SD in Solidarnost skupaj na volitve . 12 June 2014 . Delo.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-06-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140617122654/http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/sd-in-solidarnost-skupaj-na-volitve.html . live .
  16. Web site: Desus in SD v »socialdemokratski blok za vse generacije« . 5 June 2014 . Delo.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230524/http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/desus-in-sd-v-socialdemokratski-blok-za-vse-generacije.html . live .
  17. Web site: FOTO IN VIDEO: Janša po zadnjem poljubu z Urško vkorakal v zapor na Dobu . 24ur.com . 2014-07-09 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714111913/http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/jansa-danes-odhaja-v-zapor.html . live .
  18. Web site: FOTO: Tuji mediji o razliki med Janšo pred 25 leti in danes: Nedeljene podpore ljudstva nima več . 24ur.com . 2014-07-09 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714112016/http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/o-jansi-tudi-nemski-faz-predvolilni-boj-bo-vodil-iz-zapora.html . live .
  19. Web site: Foto: Prepričljiva zmaga SMC-ja, le malo upanja za SLS :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002713/http://www.rtvslo.si/dz-volitve-2014/foto-prepricljiva-zmaga-smc-ja-le-malo-upanja-za-sls/341863 . live .
  20. Web site: Zadnji »tracking poll« Mladinine predvolilne ankete: zmaga Mira Cerarja in preboj malih strank . Mladina.Si . 2014-07-14 . 2016-11-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161120003930/http://www.mladina.si/158428/zadnji-sesti-tracking-poll-mladinine-predvolilne-ankete/ . live .
  21. Web site: Državnozborske volitve v številkah (infografike) | Dnevnik . Dnevnik.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716172142/http://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/drzavnozborske-volitve-v-stevilkah . live .
  22. Web site: Neuradni podatki: 50,99-odstotna volilna udeležba :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715004356/http://www.rtvslo.si/dz-volitve-2014/neuradni-podatki-50-99-odstotna-volilna-udelezba/341820 . live .
  23. Web site: DVK: Rekordna udeležba na predčasnih volitvah – 3,90 odstotka volivcev :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140713203939/http://www.rtvslo.si/dz-volitve-2014/dvk-rekordna-udelezba-na-predcasnih-volitvah-3-90-odstotka-volivcev/341686 . live .
  24. Web site: Republic of Slovenia Early Elections for Deputies to the National Assembly 2014 . Volitve.gov.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225000/http://volitve.gov.si/dz2014/en/rezultati/izidi_skupnosti.html . live .
  25. Web site: Neuradni rezultati: Cerar najverjetnejši novi premier . Mladina.Si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716195255/http://www.mladina.si/158455/neuradni-rezultati-cerar-najverjetnejsi-novi-premier/ . live .
  26. Web site: Cerar: Imamo pooblastilo za preboj iz krize :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715004520/http://www.rtvslo.si/dz-volitve-2014/cerar-imamo-pooblastilo-za-preboj-iz-krize/341880 . live .
  27. Web site: SDS poziva Pahorja, naj ponovno razpiše volitve (foto) | Volitve 2014 – Planet . Siol.net . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716031428/http://www.siol.net/novice/slovenija/volitve_2014/novice/2014/07/sds.aspx . 2014-07-16 . dead .
  28. News: Novak . Marja . Political novice wins power in Slovenia, hints at revisiting economic reform plan . 13 July 2014 . Reuters . 2014-07-14 . 2016-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073628/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-slovenia-election-idUSKBN0FH0Y320140713 . live .
  29. Web site: Exit polls: Cerar wins Slovenia parliamentary elections | News | DW.DE | 13.07.2014 . DW.DE . 2012-01-31 . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714120529/http://www.dw.de/exit-polls-cerar-wins-slovenia-parliamentary-elections/a-17782934 . live .
  30. Web site: Neki ga nazivaju novim Drnovšekom: Tko je Miro Cerar? – Vijesti . Index.hr . 2014-07-09 . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715012514/http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/neki-ga-nazivaju-novim-drnovsekom-tko-je-miro-cerar/759926.aspx . live .
  31. News: Rousek . Leos . Recently Formed Center-Left Party Wins Slovenian Parliamentary Election – WSJ . Wall Street Journal . 13 July 2014 . Online.wsj.com . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140726204114/http://online.wsj.com/articles/recently-formed-center-left-party-wins-slovenian-parliamentary-election-1405273970 . live .
  32. Web site: Tuji mediji o volitvah v Sloveniji: Zmagal je novinec :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija . Rtvslo.si . 2012-09-21 . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715005332/http://www.rtvslo.si/svet/tuji-mediji-o-volitvah-v-sloveniji-zmagal-je-novinec/341937 . live .

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