1990 Slovenian independence referendum explained

1990 Slovenian independence referendum
Country:	Socialist Republic of Slovenia
Should the Republic of Slovenia become an independent and sovereign state?
Yes:	1289369
No:	57800
Invalid:	12412
Electorate:	1457020

An independence referendum was held in the Republic of Slovenia (then part of SFR Yugoslavia) on 23 December 1990.^[1] Both the ruling center-right coalition and the left-wing opposition supported the referendum and called on voters to support Slovenian independence.

The voters were asked the question: "Should the Republic of Slovenia become an independent and sovereign state?" (Slovenian: Ali naj Republika Slovenija postane samostojna in neodvisna država?).^[2] The Slovenian parliament set a threshold for the validity of the plebiscite at 50% and one of all registered voters.^{[3] [4]}

There were 1,499,294 people entitled to vote. However, 42,274 people could not vote because they were working abroad or involved in military service or military exercises, reducing the electorate to 1,457,020.

Results

On 26 December the results of the referendum were officially proclaimed by France Bučar in the Assembly. 88% of registered voters (95% of those participating) had voted in favour of independence, therefore exceeding the threshold. 4% had voted against independence, while 1% had cast invalid ballots and 0.1% had returned their ballots unused.^[5] 7% of the potential electorate did not participate in the elections.

Aftermath

Bučar's announcement obliged the Slovenian authorities to declare the independence of the country within six months. On 25 June 1991 the Basic Constitutional Charter on the Independence and Sovereignty of the Republic of Slovenia was passed and independence was declared the following day, leading to the Ten-Day War.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Z drevišnjo proslavo v Cankarjevem domu bomo obeležili obletnico plebiscita . sl . With the celebration in the Cankar Hall this evening we will commemorate the anniversary of the plebiscite . Slovenian Press Agency . 23 November 2011 . 23 December 2011 . 8 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808071038/http://www.sta.si/vest.php?s=s&id=1708749 . dead .
2. Prevzem arhivskega gradiva plebiscitnega referenduma o samostojnosti Republike Slovenije . sl, en . Acquisition of Plebiscite on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia Archives . Suzana . Felicijan Bratož . 6. zbornik referatov dopolnilnega izobraževanja s področja arhivistike, dokumentalistike in informatike v Radencih od 28. do 30. marca 2007 . http://www.pokarh-mb.si/index.php?id=126 . 453–458 . 2007 . Regional Archives Maribor . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121113023555/http://www.pokarh-mb.si/fileadmin/www.pokarh-mb.si/pdf_datoteke/Radenci2007/Felicijan.pdf . 2012-11-13 .
3. Zakon o plebiscitu o samostojnosti in neodvisnosti Republike Slovenije . sl . Plebiscite on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia Act . Uradni List . XLVII . 44 . 2033–2034 . 0350-4964 . 6 December 1990 . News: Intervju: Rosvita Pesek . sl . Interview: Rosvita Pesek . 26 December 2008 . Reporter . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120606033211/http://www.reporter.si/node/692 . 6 June 2012 .
4. Web site: Plebiscit o samostojnosti – čas največje politične enotnosti . sl . Independence Referendum – the Time of the Largest Political Unity . Delo.si . 23 November 2011 . 1854-6544.
5. Book: https://web.archive.org/web/20120415045826/http://www.stat.si/letopis/2011/05_11/05-11-11.htm . Statistični letopis 2011 . Statistical Yearbook 2011 . Volitve . Elections . 108 . Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia . 2011 . 15 . 1318-5403.