View source for President of Slovenia

{{Short description|Head of state of the Republic of Slovenia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = President
| body = the Republic of Slovenia
| native_name = ''Predsednik Republike Slovenije''
| insignia = 
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = 
| insigniaalt = 
| flag = Naval flag of the President of Slovenia.svg
| flagsize = 100px
| flagalt = 
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = Naval flag of the President
| image = Nataša Pirc Musar (2023-05-19).jpg
| imagesize = 200px
| alt = 
| imagecaption = 
| incumbent = [[Nataša Pirc Musar]]
| acting = 
| incumbentsince = 23 December 2022
| department = Office of the President of the Republic
| style = [[Mr. President (title)|Mrs. President]]<br />(Slovene: ''Gospa predsednica'') {{small|(informal)}}<br />[[Her Excellency]]<br />(Slovene: ''Njena ekscelenca'') {{small|(diplomatic)}}
| type = [[Head of state]]<br>[[Commander in chief]]
| status = 
| abbreviation = 
| member_of = [[National Security Council (Slovenia)|National Security Council]] (''upon invitation of the [[Prime Minister of Slovenia|Prime Minister]]'')
| reports_to = [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly]]
| residence = ''None''
| seat = {{ublist|Gregorčičeva 25|1000 Ljubljana|[[Government Building and President's Office|Predsedniška palača]]}}
| nominator = 
| appointer = [[Direct election|Popular vote]]
| appointer_qualified = 
| termlength = Five years,
| termlength_qualified = renewable once
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Slovenia]] (1991)
| precursor = 
| inaugural = [[Milan Kučan]]
| formation = {{start date and age|df=y|1990|5|10}} (''de facto'')<br>{{start date and age|df=y|1991|12|23}} (''de jure'')
| first = 
| last = 
| abolished = 
| superseded_by = 
| succession = 
| unofficial_names = 
| deputy = [[List of speakers of the National Assembly of Slovenia|Speaker of the National Assembly]] (as [[Acting (law)|acting]] president)
| salary = {{currency|5419|EUR}} monthly<ref>{{cite web |title=Za predsedniški položaj pet tisočakov osnovne bruto plače, nekaterim pravicam sta se Pahor in Pečarjeva odrekla |url=https://www.sta.si/3053899/za-predsedniski-polozaj-pet-tisocakov-osnovne-bruto-place-nekaterim-pravicam-sta-se-pahor-in-pecarjeva-odrekla |website=sta.si |publisher=[[Slovenian Press Agency]] |access-date=22 December 2022 |date=26 June 2022}}</ref>
| website = [http://www.up-rs.si/ Official website]
| footnotes = 
}}
{{listen
|filename=Anthem of the Slovenian Armed Forces.ogg
|title=Naprej, zastava slave
|description="Forward, Flag of Glory" from the 19th century; known as the Song of the President of Slovenia
|filetype=[[OGG]]
|pos=right
}}
{{Politics of Slovenia}}
The '''president of Slovenia''', officially the '''president of the Republic of Slovenia''' ({{langx|sl|Predsednik Republike Slovenije}}), is the [[head of state]] of [[Slovenia]]. The office was established on 23&nbsp;December&nbsp;1991 when the [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly]] passed a new [[Constitution of Slovenia|constitution]] after the separation of Slovenia from the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. Five individuals have occupied the post of president of the Republic since Slovenia achieved its independence. The incumbent is [[Nataša Pirc Musar]], Slovenia's first female president. The president's official workplace is the [[Government Building and President's Office|Presidential Palace]] in [[Ljubljana]].

==Election and term of office==
The president is directly elected by universal adult suffrage for a term of five years.<ref name="rtvinfo">{{cite web |title=Kako volimo predsednika države? |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/enostavno/predsedniske-volitve-2022/kako-volimo-predsednika-drzave/642330 |website=rtvslo.si |publisher=[[RTV Slovenija]] |access-date=22 December 2022 |language=sl}}</ref> Any Slovenian citizen of legal age (18 or more) may run for President, but may only hold office for two terms.<ref name="rtvinfo"/>

The president has no legally guaranteed [[legal immunity|immunity]] and may be [[impeached]] during their time in office.

==Duties and functions==
The president of the Republic is the highest representative of the Slovenian state, belonging neither to the [[Parliament of Slovenia|legislative]], [[Government of Slovenia|executive]], [[Judiciary of Slovenia|judicial]], nor [[Constitutional Court of Slovenia|constitutive]] branches of state power. The president instead occupies a completely separate but coequal moderating branch by virtue of Article 102 of the Constitution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s338|title=Article 102, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> To this end, the president represents Slovenia abroad, fosters national unity at home, and exercises supreme command and control over the Armed Forces of Slovenia as commander-in-chief. In the performance of these functions, the president upholds the rule of law and, through their ongoing [[mediation]] and [[arbitration]], guarantees the continuity and orderly operation of Slovenia’s democratic institutions.<ref>{{Cite presentation|url=https://ecpr.eu/Events/Event/PaperDetails/41064|title=Informal Powers by Presidents in a Small State: Semi-Presidentialism in Slovenia|author=Alenka Krašovec & Damjan Lajh|publisher=European Consortium for Political Research|publication-date=24 August 2018|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> This stabilising and integrative role is in keeping with the president’s solemn oath taken at inauguration to “...uphold the constitutional order,…act according to my conscience and…do all in my power for the good of Slovenia”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s345|title=Article 104, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

The [[Constitution of Slovenia]] provides for a [[parliamentary system of government]], whereby the presidency is a predominantly ceremonial institution with limited political power.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Slowenien wählt erstmals eine Frau zum Staatsoberhaupt |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2022-11/natasa-pirc-musar-slowenien-staatsoberhaupt? |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=[[Die Zeit]]|date=13 November 2022 |last1=Simmons |first1=Lennard }}</ref> Indeed, unlike in most parliamentary republics, the president is not even the ‘’nominal’’ chief executive. Rather, the executive authority of Slovenia is explicitly vested in the Government with the [[Prime Minister of Slovenia|prime minister]] as its head.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s372|title=Articles 110 and 114, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO242|title=Articles 1 & 2, Act on the Government of the Republic of Slovenia|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=15 January 1993|access-date=9 September 2025}}</ref> Nevertheless, both the National Assembly and the Government are obliged as a matter of law and by the terms of their own standing orders to keep the president fully informed on matters of state, be they foreign or domestic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO3300|title=Articles 11 & 12, Act on Ensuring the Conditions for Performing the Office of President of the Republic|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=13 February 2003|access-date=30 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/fr/slovenia_5kml60bwpr9n.pdf?itemId=%2Fcontent%2Fpaper%2F5kml60bwpr9n-en&mimeType=pdf|title=Public Management Profiles of Central and Eastern European Countries: Slovenia|publisher=Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development|page=16|publication-date=September 1999|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> Moreover, the functions conferred on the president by the Constitution and subordinate [[Statute|statute law]] require neither the [[countersignature]] of the prime minister nor the [[Advice (constitutional law)|advice]] of the Government to be effective.<ref>{{Cite report|url=http://www2.gov.si/up-rs/1992-2002/mk-ang.nsf/27a5344febff94d4c125678d00368d36/c812fd71d692a889c1256961002b7474?OpenDocument|title=Status of the President of the Republic of Slovenia in the System of Government|section=Part II: Powers (functions) of the President of the Republic|author=Miha Ribaric|publisher=Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=30 May 2000|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|url=http://www2.gov.si/up-rs/1992-2002/mk-ang.nsf/27a5344febff94d4c125678d00368d36/c812fd71d692a889c1256961002b7474?OpenDocument|title=Status of the President of the Republic of Slovenia in the System of Government|section=Part III: The President of the Republic in the system of state bodies|author=Miha Ribaric|publisher=Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=30 May 2000|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>{{Efn|Refer to "Representative function", "Relationship with the government", and "Information" in Part III of the Ribaric report.}} Thus, the powers and duties at the president’s disposal are generally exercised either in his or her complete discretion, after consultation with or on the proposal of the Government (with the right to refuse a proposal and to act contrary to any advice tendered), or in accordance with constitutional restrictions in the case of certain ministerial functions.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://academic.oup.com/book/3194/chapter-abstract/144096348?redirectedFrom=fulltext|title=Semi-Presidentialism in Europe|chapter=Chapter 12: Slovenia|editor=Robert Elgie|author=Miro Cerar|publication-date=September 1999|access-date=2 December 2024|pages=232-259}}</ref>

===Legislative functions===
;Convene regular sessions of the National Assembly: The president of the Republic has the power to [[Writ of election|call]] both [[general election|general]] and [[by-election]]s to the [[National Assembly of Slovenia|National Assembly]] and to convene its first [[Legislative session|regular session]] following a general election, provided [[Elections in Slovenia|general elections]] must be called no later than fifteen days before the expiry of four years from the date of the first session of the outgoing National Assembly. Likewise, if the president dissolves the National Assembly before the expiration of its mandate and calls for snap elections, a new National Assembly must be elected no later than two months after the dissolution of the previous one. The term of the old National Assembly otherwise comes to an end by default upon the first session of a new National Assembly, which must be convoked by the president no later than twenty days after a general election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s259|title=Article 81, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=POSL34|title=Article 6, Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=1 April 2002|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislationline.org/taxonomy/term/12205|title=Articles 14 & 19, National Assembly Elections Act|author=LegislatiOnline|publisher=OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref>

;Convene extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly: The president of the Republic may convene an [[Special session|extraordinary session]] of the National Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s273|title=Article 85, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> The calling together of an extraordinary session of the National Assembly concurrently reconvenes the [[National Council of Slovenia|National Council]], the upper house of Slovenia’s incompletely bicameral [[Parliament of Slovenia|Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ds-rs.si/en/about-the-national-council|title=About the National Council|publisher=National Council of the Republic of Slovenia|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lakota |first=Igor |url=http://dk.fdv.uni-lj.si/dela/Lakota-Igor.PDF |title=Sistem nepopolne dvodomnosti v slovenskem parlamentu (diplomska naloga) |publisher=Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana |year=2006 |page=62 |language=sl |trans-title=The system of incomplete bicameralism in the Slovenian Parliament (diploma thesis) |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>

;Dissolve the National Assembly and call snap elections: The president has [[plenary authority]] to [[Dissolution of Parliament|dissolve]] the National Assembly before the expiration of its term and call [[snap election]]s, but only if either of the following conditions are met:
#The National Assembly fails to elect a prime minister within 30 days from the start of a new parliamentary session;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s374|title=Article 111, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> or
#The National Assembly passes a [[vote of no confidence]]  in the Government and fails to elect a new prime minister within 30 days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s394|title=Article 117, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

;Express opinions to the National Assembly: The president of the Republic may, on their own initiative or whenever requested by the National Assembly, express an opinion on any matter of national import.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s353|title=Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

;Promulgate laws: The president of the Republic [[Promulgation|promulgates]] each law passed by the National Assembly within eight days of its enactment, unless the law is sooner [[veto]]ed by the National Council. The president does not have the discretion to refuse laws duly passed by the National Assembly and agreed to by the National Council.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s295|title=Article 91, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

===Executive functions===
;Nominate the prime minister: The president of the Republic [[Government formation|nominates]] for the consideration of the National Assembly a candidate for [[Prime Minister of Slovenia|prime minister]], after consultation with the leaders of the various political parties represented in the National Assembly. The National Assembly in turn elects or rejects the president’s nominee. If the National Assembly fails to elect a prime minister on the first round, the president may nominate one or more additional candidates for the consideration of the National Assembly in subsequent rounds, including a previously nominated candidate. This process continues until a prime minister is duly elected or the National Assembly is dissolved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s374|title=Article 111, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

;Nominate and appoint certain other state officials: The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly the governor of the [[Central Bank of Slovenia]], the members of the [[Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia|Court of Audit]], and the [[Ombudsman|Human Rights Ombudsman]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO2988|title=Articles 35-37, Bank of Slovenia Act|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=18 June 2002|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rs-rs.si/en/about-the-court-of-audit/legal-basis/court-of-audit-act/|title=Articles 7 & 8, Court of Audit Act|publisher=Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO300|title=Articles 2 & 13, Human Rights Ombudsman Act|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=19 December 1993|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref> The National Assembly in turn confirms or rejects the candidates so nominated. If confirmed, the nominees are formally appointed to office by the president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s353|title=Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

;Represent Slovenia in foreign relations: The president of the Republic acts as Slovenia's supreme representative in international affairs.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Joanne Foakes|publisher=The Oxford International Law Library|title=The Position of Heads of State and Senior Officials in International Law|chapter=Chapter 2: Head of State|pages=29–109|publication-date=February 2014|url=https://academic.oup.com/book/57221/chapter-abstract/474187836?redirectedFrom=fulltext|access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.un.org/dgacm/sites/www.un.org.dgacm/files/Documents_Protocol/hspmfmlist.pdf|author=Protocol and Liaison Services|title=List of Heads of State, Heads of Government, and Ministers for Foreign Affairs|page=63|publisher=United Nations|publication-date=12 September 2024|access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> In this capacity, the president appoints and recalls Slovenian [[ambassador]]s and [[Envoy (title)|envoys]], [[Agrement|accepts]] the [[letter of credence|credentials]] of foreign [[Diplomatic rank|diplomats]] accredited to Slovenia, and both pays and receives [[state visit]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s353|title=Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref> Pursuant to Articles 14 and 59 of the Foreign Affairs Act, the president also decides on the opening and closure of [[diplomatic mission]]s. In the performance of these duties, the president is required by law to consult the [[Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Slovenia)|foreign minister]] in order to ensure a coordinated and effective [[Foreign relations of Slovenia|foreign policy]].{{Efn|Refer to Article 4 of the Foreign Affairs Act.}} The president is nevertheless not obliged to follow any of the foreign minister's opinions, proposals, requests, or recommendations. Indeed, the president may act contrary to such advice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO1611|title=Foreign Affairs Act|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=6 June 2001|access-date=7 December 2024}}</ref> In a similar vein, the president is empowered to issue instruments of ratification, whereby Slovenia expresses its consent as a [[sovereign state]] to be bound by [[treaty]] under [[Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties|international law]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s353|title=Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> Despite this authority, the president's ability to refuse a treaty is limited. Treaty negotiation and conclusion is the responsibility of the Government, whereas [[ratification]] itself rests exclusively with the National Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s276|title=Article 86, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.si/en/news/2024-03-07-the-slovenian-parliament-was-the-only-one-actively-involved-in-the-eu-accession-negotiations/|title=The Slovenian Parliament was the only one actively involved in the EU accession negotiations
|publisher=Republic of Slovenia|author=Government Communications Office|publication-date=7 March 2024|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> Nevertheless, before affixing his or her instrument of ratification to any treaty, the president may request the Constitutional Court to opine on the treaty's [[constitutionality]]. If the Constitutional Court concludes the treaty violates the Constitution, the treaty is deemed null and void. If the Constitutional Court finds the treaty is however in compliance with the Constitution, the president must issue an instrument of ratification.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s528|title=Article 160, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

;Serve as Commander-in-Chief: Supreme [[command and control]] of the [[Slovenian Armed Forces]] vests in the president of the Republic as [[commander-in-chief]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s338|title=Article 102, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref> To this end, the president has plenary authority to declare a [[state of emergency]] and to declare a [[state of war]] if Slovenia is under attack. However, the president may exercise these broad powers only if the National Assembly is for whatever reason unable to convene.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s298|title=Article 92, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref> Other duties have been conferred on the president by virtue of Slovenia's Defense Act. For example, the president:
#[[Commission (document)|commission]]s all [[general]]s, [[admiral]]s, and other [[commissioned officer]]s of the Armed Forces;
#approves the annual guidelines prepared by the [[Ministry of Defense (Slovenia)|defense minister]] and submitted to the [[Chief of the General Staff (Slovenia)|chief of the General Staff]] detailing the operational strategy, materiel needs, and organizational plans of the Armed Forces;
#prescribes the conditions and procedures for keeping him or herself informed about the [[Combat readiness|state of readiness]] of the Armed Forces and other matters relevant to the [[National security|defence of the state]];
#receives regular briefings from the [[Intelligence and Security Service of the Ministry of Defence (Slovenia)|Intelligence and Security Service]];
#adopts regulations with the force of law for the purpose of [[Military administration|administering]] the activities of the Armed Forces, including matters of [[military justice]], but only on the proposal of the Government;
#orders the [[mobilisation]] of the Armed Forces, but only on the proposal of the Government; and
#decides upon the [[Combat|use]] and [[Military deployment|deployment]] of the Armed Forces, the enforcement of [[Military operations|work]] and [[Materiel|material duty]], and (during a state of emergency) their total mobilisation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO532|title=Defense Act|publisher=Government Legislation Service of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=13 January 1995|access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref>

;Issue decrees in times of national crisis: The president of the Republic may, at the request of the Government, issue [[decree]]s with the force of law. Said decrees may, in exception, restrict individual [[human rights]] and [[Civil liberties|fundamental freedoms]] otherwise guaranteed by Article 16 of the Constitution. The president’s authority to make such decrees is only valid when the National Assembly is unable to convene and a state of war or emergency has been invoked.{{Efn|For this reason, the [[List of speakers of the National Assembly of Slovenia|speaker]] of the National Assembly is required by Article 33 of the National Assembly Act to inform the president whenever the National Assembly is unable to convene.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dz-rs.si/wps/portal/en/Home/AboutNA/PoliticalSystem/NAact/!ut/p/z1/fY9BC4JAEIV_iwevzkRk1m29bKxBFIk2l9DYVkFdWbeEfn1SXYLad5vH-95jgCAH6op7rQpb665opvtE4VmsEiYSPkO-4BHuj8nuIDYxT-MQslcA_4ghkIMXyw_vGCB3vZufBshdL4BUo8v3q6wr55ECMvIqjTTBzUx2ZW0_rH30cRzHQGmtGhlcdOvjL6TSg4X8Owl9m6b5Yysz5nlPZmj7GQ!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/|title=National Assembly Act|publisher=National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref>}} The president may accept or refuse the Government’s request.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s365|title=Article 108, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

===Judicial functions===
;Exercise the prerogative of clemency: The president of the Republic may, in their discretion, grant [[Amnesty|general]] or [[Pardon|special]] pardons, [[Commutation (law)|commutations]], [[Pardon#Related_concepts|reprieves]], and [[Pardon#Related_concepts|respites]] to individuals convicted of criminal violations in Slovenian courts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s353|title=Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref> The president may choose to appoint a commission of experts to consult him or herself in the review of applications, but the prerogative of clemency is ultimately the president's alone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sloveniatimes.com/40016/president-and-opposition-party-clash-over-pardons|title=President and opposition party clash over pardons|publisher=The Slovenian Times|publication-date=23 November 2023|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref>

;Nominate justices of the Constitutional Court: The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly the nine justices of the [[Constitutional Court of Slovenia|Constitutional Court]], who each serve staggered nonrenewable terms of nine years. The National Assembly in turn elects or rejects the candidates so nominated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s552|title=Article 163, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.us-rs.si/institution/polozaj-en/?lang=en|title=Position|publisher=Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.us-rs.si/media/the.constitutional.court.act-zusts.pdf|title=Constitutional Court Act|publisher=Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=2 April 1994|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

;Nominate members of the Judicial Council: The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly five out of the eleven members of the Judicial Council.{{Efn|The Judicial Council is an [[Council of the judiciary|independent public body]] responsible for the [[Judicial administration|administration of the courts]], including the recruitment of judges qualified by merit and their discipline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.si/en/state-authorities/other-institutions/judicial-council/|title=Judicial Council|author=Government Communication Office|publisher=Republic of Slovenia|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sodni-svet.si/?p=about|title=About the Judicial Council|publisher=Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref>}} Nominees must be university professors of law, senior counsel, or attorneys accepted to the State Bar. The National Assembly in turn elects or rejects the candidates so nominated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s435|title=Article 131, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref> Members of the Judicial Council serve staggered terms of six years upon confirmation, with either two or three of the presidentially nominated members subject to reelection every three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sodni-svet.si/img/JudicialCouncil%20RS.pdf|title=Annual Report of the Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia for FY 2023|publisher=Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=May 2023|access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

;Nominate Slovenian judges to international courts: The president of the Republic nominates for the consideration of the National Assembly Slovenia's judges on the [[European Court of Justice]], the [[European Court of Human Rights]], and the [[International Criminal Court]]. The National Assembly in turn elects or rejects the candidates so nominated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uradni-list.si/glasilo-uradni-list-rs/vsebina?urlid=200164&stevilka=3468|title=Act on the Nomination of Candidates from the Republic of Slovenia for Judges of International Courts|publisher=Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia|publication-date=26 July 2001|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref>

;Confer and revoke state honours: The president of the Republic is Slovenia's [[fount of honour]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Slovenia_2016#s353|title=Article 107, Constitution of Slovenia|publisher=The Constitute Project|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref> In this capacity, the president confers state honours on individuals for contributions to [[civil society]], [[diplomacy]] and [[international affairs]], and [[national security]]. Pursuant to the Act on Decorations of the Republic of Slovenia, state honours take the form of various [[Award|medal]]s and national [[Order (distinction)|order]]s, are conferred and revoked by decree, and are awarded at the president's discretion. Nevertheless, state authorities, local government authorities, organizations and citizens of the Republic of Slovenia may propose candidates for the president's consideration. Likewise, a Slovenian citizen cannot accept a foreign honour without the president's consent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO2290|title=Act on Decorations of the Republic of Slovenia|publisher=Government Legislation Service|publication-date=18 December 1994|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref>

== List of presidents of Slovenia ==
=== [[Socialist Republic of Slovenia]] ===
Parties; {{legend2|{{party color|Communist Party}}|[[League of Communists of Slovenia|KPS / ZKS]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#ff9999|[[Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation|OF]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#f08080|[[Social Democrats (Slovenia)|SDP]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} 
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; margin-bottom:0"
|-
! {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! width=180|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! Portrait
! colspan=2|Term of office
! Political party
|-
| colspan="6" | '''Presidents of the People's Assembly'''<br />{{small|1953–1974}}
|-
! style="background:#ff9999; color:white;"| 1
| [[Ferdo Kozak]]<br />{{small|(1894–1957)}} || [[File:Ferdo Kozak.jpg|60px]] || 30 January 1953 || 15 December 1953 || [[Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation|OF]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 2
| [[Miha Marinko]]<br />{{small|(1900–1983)}} || [[File:Miha Marinko.jpg|60px]] || 15 December 1953 || 9 June 1962 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 3
| [[Vida Tomšič]]<br />{{small|(1913–1998)}} || [[File:Vida Tomšič.jpg|60px]] || 9 June 1962 || 25 June 1963 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 5
| [[Ivan Maček]]<br />{{small|(1908–1993)}} || [[File:Ivan Maček Matija.jpg|60px]] || 25 June 1963 || 9 May 1967 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 6
| [[Sergej Kraigher]]<br />{{small|(1914–2001)}} || [[File:Sergej Kraigher 1969.jpg|60px]] || 9 May 1967 || 1973 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 7
| Tone Kropušek<br />{{small|(1928–2017)}} || [[File:Tone Kropušek.jpg|60px]] || 1973 || 1974 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 8
| Marijan Brecelj<br />{{small|(1910–1989)}} || [[File:Brecelj Marijan.jpg|60px]] || 1974 || 9 May 1974 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
| colspan="6" | '''Presidents of the Presidency'''<br />{{small|1974–1991}}
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 9
| [[Sergej Kraigher]]<br />{{small|(1914–2001)}} || [[File:Sergej Kraigher 1969.jpg|60px]] || 9 May 1974 || 23 May 1979 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 10
| [[Viktor Avbelj]]<br />{{small|(1914–1993)}} || [[File:Viktor Avbelj 1961.jpg|60px]] || 23 May 1979 || 7 May 1984 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 11
| France Popit<br />{{small|(1921–2013)}} || [[File:France Popit 1969.jpg|60px]] || 7 May 1984 || 6 May 1988 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Communist Party}}; color:white;"| 12
| rowspan=2| [[Janez Stanovnik]]<br />{{small|(1922–2020)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:StanovnikJanez.jpg|60px]] || rowspan=2| 6 May 1988 || rowspan=2| 10 May 1990 || [[League of Communists of Slovenia|ZKS]]
|-
! style="background:#f08080; color:white;"| {{small|(12)}}
| [[Social Democrats (Slovenia)|SDP]]
|-
! style="background:#f08080; color:white;"| 13
| [[Milan Kučan]]<br />{{small|(born 1941)}} || [[File:Milan KUCAN, Klaus HANSCH EP President (cropped).jpg|60px]] || 10 May 1990 || 23 December 1991 || [[Social Democrats (Slovenia)|SDP]]
|}

=== [[Slovenia|Republic of Slovenia]] ===
Parties; {{legend2|{{party color|Social Democrats (Slovenia)}}|[[Social Democrats (Slovenia)|ZLSD / SD]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Liberal Democracy of Slovenia}}|[[Liberal Democracy of Slovenia|LDS]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Independent (politician)}}|[[Independent politician|Independent]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Political Party
! rowspan=2| Elected
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|- align="center" 
| colspan=8| '''Presidents'''<br />{{small|1991–present}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 1
| image             = Milan Kučan EP (cropped).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Milan Kučan]]
| born_year         = 1941
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 23 December 1991
| term_end          = 22 December 2002
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1991|12|23|2002|12|22}}
| alt_party         = Social Democrats (Slovenia)
| alt_party2        = Independent politician
| election          = [[1990 Slovenian presidential election|1990]]<br />[[1992 Slovenian presidential election|1992]]<br />[[1997 Slovenian presidential election|1997]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 2
| image             = Janez Drnovsek.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Janez Drnovšek]]
| born_year         = 1950
| died_year         = 2008
| term_start        = 22 December 2002
| term_end          = 23 December 2007
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2002|12|22|2007|12|23}}
| alt_party         = Liberal Democracy of Slovenia
| alt_party2        = Independent politician
| election          = [[2002 Slovenian presidential election|2002]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 3
| image             = Danilo Türk - World Economic Forum on Europe 2011 (cropped).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Danilo Türk]]
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 23 December 2007
| term_end          = 22 December 2012
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2007|12|23|2012|12|22}}
| alt_party         = Independent politician
| alt_party2        = 
| election          = [[2007 Slovenian presidential election|2007]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 4
| image             = Novinarska konferenca predsednika republike Boruta Pahorja.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Borut Pahor]]
| born_year         = 1963
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 22 December 2012
| term_end          = 22 December 2022
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|2012|12|22|2022|12|22}} years
| alt_party         = Social Democrats (Slovenia)
| alt_party2        = Independent politician
| election          = [[2012 Slovenian presidential election|2012]]<br />[[2017 Slovenian presidential election|2017]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 5
| image             = Nataša Pirc Musar (2023-05-19).jpg|bSize = 60
| officeholder      = {{nowrap|[[Nataša Pirc Musar]]}}
| born_year         = 1968
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 23 December 2022
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2022|12|22}}
| alt_party         = Independent politician
| election          = [[2022 Slovenian presidential election|2022]]
}} 
|}

==Latest election==
{{Main|2022 Slovenian presidential election}}

==See also==
*[[Prime Minister of Slovenia]]

==Footnotes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.up-rs.si/ Official site of the President of the Republic of Slovenia] {{In lang|sl}}

{{Slovenia topics}}
{{Slovene President}}
{{Heads of state of the European Union member states}}
{{Heads of state and government of Europe}}

[[Category:Presidents of Slovenia| ]]
[[Category:Slovenia politics-related lists|Presidents]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Slovenia]]