Organized interests in the policy-making process in Slovenia

Abstract

The article describes the emergence of a modern civil society in the context of democratic transition in Slovenia. Empirical research has shown that modern interest groups are developing and gaining sway in the policy-making process and, moreover, that some institutionalized forms of consultative politics are becoming part of the new political system. Political parties still dominate in interest intermediation. The role of interest groups in policy-making and the types of emerging policy network vary considerably among policy fields. European networking helps to strengthen the visibility and influence of interest groups in the policy-making process.

Europeanisation of interest intermediation in the Central and Eastern European member states: contours of a mixed model

“…It comes as a surprise that there is very little research on Europeanisation of interest intermediation in the CEE member states, although the literature on Europeanisation of this part of the continent and the EU impact on interest groups is rich (Cisar and Navratil 2015;Dimitrova 2010;Fink-Hafner 1998;Hughes, Sasse, and Gordon 2004). Drawing on the concept of multi-level governance (MLG) as a specific configuration of decision-making powers and competences at the regional level, Bruszt (2008) and Andreou and Bache (2010) try to evaluate whether MLG actually emerged in CEE countries as a result of implementation of the EU cohesion policy.…”

Institutions and the stabilization of party systems in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe

“…Five of our 16 cases have upper chambers. While there is considerable variation in veto powers, even the weakestdthe Slovenian National Councildhas power to review parliamentary decisions, propose laws, and call national referenda (Fink-Hafner, 1998;Luk si c, 2003). Adopting the World Bank Database of Political Institutions measure, we operationalize levels of coordination required with upper chambers using the proportion of upper house legislative seats in relation to all seats.…”

The Development of Pensioners’ Interest Organisations in Central and Eastern Europe: A Comparison of the Czech and Slovene Cases

“…Moreover, in much of the region, including the Czech Republic and Slovenia, trade unions' access to policy makers is specifically institutionalised through national tripartite bodies created in the early 1990s, whose remits include both economic and labour market issues and broader social policy questions Fink-Hafner 1998;Luksˇi� c 2003;Guardiancich 2012). 2 Of the two case studies examined here, Slovenia's tripartite institutions have usually been considered to be more strongly neo-corporatist (Bohle & Greskovits 2007;Guardiancich 2012); however, in both countries they have a role in reviewing draft legislation, and the Czech tripartite council's importance has arguably often been underestimated (Valterova´2006).…”

“…In 1994-1995 Czech trade unions organised mass petitions, a 15-minute symbolic strike and protest demonstrations against proposed increases in the retirement age. Large Czech trade union demonstrations opposing austerity measures and fiscal and social reforms also took place in November 1997, June 1998, May 2009, May 2011and April 2012(Myant 2010MF Dnes, 23 April 2012). In November 2005 Slovene trade unions organised peaceful mass demonstrations against proposed flat tax reforms and in 2011 they were instrumental in gathering sufficient signatures to trigger a referendum on pension reform laws and changes to the retirement age.…”