National Council Vetoes Communicable Diseases Act that Critics Say Gave Govt Too Much Power

By , 13 Jul 2021, 11:44 AM Politics
The logo of the Slovenian National Council The logo of the Slovenian National Council www.ds-rs.si

Share this:

STA, 12 July 2021 - The National Council, the upper chamber of parliament, vetoed in an 18:13 vote on Monday the amendments to the communicable diseases act that the National Assembly passed last week in order to replace provisions that have been struck down by the Constitutional Court.

The veto comes as a surprise since it had not been demanded by any particular group of councillors. The proceedings were just a continuation of the National Council's practice, introduced at the outset of the epidemic, to automatically debate vetoes of all major laws before the expiry of the seven-day veto period to make sure they may be implemented as soon as possible.

The law was amended after the Constitutional Court declared parts of the act and by extension the measures introduced during the epidemic unconstitutional because they gave the government too much leeway in introducing restrictions that affect fundamental rights.

The amended act determines that expert assessments are required for some measures, and that certain indicators must be taken into account when restrictions are adopted. It also introduces curbs on the duration and location of the measures.

Critics, including centre-left opposition parties, have attacked the amendments as merely affirming the government overreach.

Several councillors echoed these concerns today, in particular with regard to government powers, urging the National Assembly to come up with better solutions.

The amendments were passed in a partisan 44:42 vote last week. To override the veto, at least 46 MPs must vote in favour, a majority that the current government does not have.

The other two laws that the National Council debated today, the latest stimulus law for the tourism and hospitality sector and a law on emergency measures in the healthcare sector, passed muster and can now be enacted.

Photo galleries and videos

This websie uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.