A referendum on a bill legalising same-sex marriage was held in Slovenia on 20 December 2015. The bill was rejected, as a majority of voters voted against and the votes against were more than 20% of registered voters.
2015 Slovenian same-sex marriage referendum
20 December 2015
Are you in favor of the Law on Amendments and Additions to the Marriage and Family Status Act, which the National Assembly adopted in the session of 3 March 2015?
On 3 March 2015 the National Assembly passed a bill defining marriage as a "union of two" instead of a "union of a man and a woman."[1] Conservative opponents of the law, including a group called Children Are At Stake, gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue, hoping to block same-sex marriage.[2][3] On 26 March, the National Assembly voted to block the referendum on the ground that it would violate the constitutional provision which prohibits popular votes on laws eliminating an unconstitutionality in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms.[4] The proponents of a referendum appealed to the Constitutional Court, which on 22 October declared that the National Assembly does not have the ability to declare a referendum unconstitutional.[5][6] The National Assembly thus on 4 November scheduled a referendum to be held on 20 December 2015.[7] Per article 90 of the Constitution a law is rejected if "a majority of voters who have cast valid votes vote against the law, provided at least one fifth of all qualified voters have voted against the law". A minimum of 343,104 voters (which makes up 20% of about 1.7 million registered voters) are required to cast a valid "no" vote for the result of the referendum to be valid.[8]
In a 2012 referendum, 54.55% of voters rejected a law that would have expanded rights for same-sex registered partnerships.[9]
Slovenian Catholic groups, and Pope Francis urged a "no" vote.[10][11] A number of EU politicians, including Violeta Bulc called for a "yes" vote.[8] All parties in Parliament except SDS and NSi supported a 'Yes' vote.
Opinion pollsedit
A poll conducted by Delo Stik in February 2015 showed that 51% of Slovenians supported the bill, which was debated in the National Assembly at the time, while 42% were against.[12]
Another poll conducted by Ninamedia in March 2015 showed that 42% of respondents supported the new law, while 54% opposed. Support was highest among those younger than 30, and in the Slovene Littoral region.[13]
A poll from November 2015 showed that 46% of respondents supported and 54% opposed the bill. The poll suggested a strong division between different groups. While most women, atheists and residents of urban areas supported the bill, a significant majority of men, Catholics and rural population opposed it. The poll also suggested a low turnout and the possibility that the result would be non-binding.[14]
Published
Polling organisation/Client
For
Against
Undecided / none
18 Dec
Ninamedia
40%
48%
12%
16 Dec
48%
51%
-
16 Dec
Delo
43%
40%
17%
30 Nov
48%
46%
6%
30 Nov
Delo
42%
41%
17%
22 Nov
46%
54%
-
30 May
54%
40%
6%
14 Mar
Ninamedia
42%
54%
4%
16 Feb
Delo
51%
42%
7%
Resultsedit
Wikinews has related news:
Slovenians reject referendum to recognize same-sex marriage
Early voting began on Tuesday 15 December 2015 and continued for the two following days. Results were released on Sunday 20 December 2015 after all polls closed.[8] The bill was rejected by a majority of those who voted and a sufficient number of "no" votes were cast (more than 20% of all registered voters) thus fulfilling both constitutional requirements for a binding result.[15]
Choice
Votes
%
For
226,651
36.49
Against
394,482
63.51
Total
621,133
100.00
Valid votes
621,133
99.62
Invalid/blank votes
2,356
0.38
Total votes
623,489
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
1,714,055
36.38
Source: DVK
Aftermathedit
The parliament is obliged by the result for one year and cannot propose similar legislation in that period. Initiators of the referendum suggested that they will not oppose legislation which would expand social rights for same-sex unions as long as it does not include adoption rights and redefinition of marriage.[16] Supporters of the defeated bill expressed their disappointment over the result and suggested that a number of 'yes' voters clearly decided to boycott the referendum. Same-sex marriage was however legalized by courts, with immediate effect, in July 2022.[17]
^"Pope backs family values in Slovenia ahead of gay marriage vote". 6 October 2022.
^Agence France-Presse (17 December 2015). "Pope backs family values in Slovenia ahead of gay marriage vote".
^"Večina podpira istospolne poroke, do posvojitev je zadržana". RTV Slovenia (in Slovenian). 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
^(in Slovene) Izenačitev pravic raznospolnih in istospolnih parov po anketi podpira 42 odstotkov vprašanih, 54 jih temu nasprotuje
^Rok Atelšek. . Planet Siol.net. Archived from the original on 2015-12-25. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
^"Slovenia rejects same-sex marriage in a referendum". Reuters. 20 December 2015.
^"Koalicija Za otroke gre napoveduje nov zakon, Primc vstopa v politiko".
^"Slovenia Legalises Same-Sex Marriage, Adoptions". Total Slovenia News. from the original on 2022-07-09. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
^"STA: Disabled take Slovenia to Human Rights Court over polling stations accessibility". english.sta.si. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
^"STA: Disabled take Slovenia to Human Rights Court over polling stations accessibility". english.sta.si. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
^"HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights". hudoc.echr.coe.int. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
External linksedit
(in Slovene) Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o zakonski zvezi in družinskih razmerjih
January 01, 1970
2015, slovenian, same, marriage, referendum, referendum, bill, legalising, same, marriage, held, slovenia, december, 2015, bill, rejected, majority, voters, voted, against, votes, against, were, more, than, registered, voters, december, 2015are, favor, amendme. A referendum on a bill legalising same sex marriage was held in Slovenia on 20 December 2015 The bill was rejected as a majority of voters voted against and the votes against were more than 20 of registered voters 2015 Slovenian same sex marriage referendum20 December 2015Are you in favor of the Law on Amendments and Additions to the Marriage and Family Status Act which the National Assembly adopted in the session of 3 March 2015 ResultsChoice Votes Yes 226 651 36 49 No 394 482 63 51 Valid votes 621 133 99 62 Invalid or blank votes 2 356 0 38 Total votes 623 489 100 00 Registered voters turnout 1 714 055 36 38 Results by constituencies Contents 1 Background 2 Opinion polls 3 Results 4 Aftermath 5 Inaccessible polling places dispute 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksBackground editOn 3 March 2015 the National Assembly passed a bill defining marriage as a union of two instead of a union of a man and a woman 1 Conservative opponents of the law including a group called Children Are At Stake gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue hoping to block same sex marriage 2 3 On 26 March the National Assembly voted to block the referendum on the ground that it would violate the constitutional provision which prohibits popular votes on laws eliminating an unconstitutionality in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms 4 The proponents of a referendum appealed to the Constitutional Court which on 22 October declared that the National Assembly does not have the ability to declare a referendum unconstitutional 5 6 The National Assembly thus on 4 November scheduled a referendum to be held on 20 December 2015 7 Per article 90 of the Constitution a law is rejected if a majority of voters who have cast valid votes vote against the law provided at least one fifth of all qualified voters have voted against the law A minimum of 343 104 voters which makes up 20 of about 1 7 million registered voters are required to cast a valid no vote for the result of the referendum to be valid 8 In a 2012 referendum 54 55 of voters rejected a law that would have expanded rights for same sex registered partnerships 9 Slovenian Catholic groups and Pope Francis urged a no vote 10 11 A number of EU politicians including Violeta Bulc called for a yes vote 8 All parties in Parliament except SDS and NSi supported a Yes vote Opinion polls editA poll conducted by Delo Stik in February 2015 showed that 51 of Slovenians supported the bill which was debated in the National Assembly at the time while 42 were against 12 Another poll conducted by Ninamedia in March 2015 showed that 42 of respondents supported the new law while 54 opposed Support was highest among those younger than 30 and in the Slovene Littoral region 13 A poll from November 2015 showed that 46 of respondents supported and 54 opposed the bill The poll suggested a strong division between different groups While most women atheists and residents of urban areas supported the bill a significant majority of men Catholics and rural population opposed it The poll also suggested a low turnout and the possibility that the result would be non binding 14 Published Polling organisation Client For Against Undecided none 18 Dec Ninamedia 40 48 12 16 Dec Episcenter 48 51 16 Dec Delo 43 40 17 30 Nov Vecer 48 46 6 30 Nov Delo 42 41 17 22 Nov Episcenter 46 54 30 May Eurobarometer 54 40 6 14 Mar Ninamedia 42 54 4 16 Feb Delo 51 42 7 Results edit nbsp Wikinews has related news Slovenians reject referendum to recognize same sex marriage Early voting began on Tuesday 15 December 2015 and continued for the two following days Results were released on Sunday 20 December 2015 after all polls closed 8 The bill was rejected by a majority of those who voted and a sufficient number of no votes were cast more than 20 of all registered voters thus fulfilling both constitutional requirements for a binding result 15 ChoiceVotes For226 65136 49Against394 48263 51Total621 133100 00Valid votes621 13399 62Invalid blank votes2 3560 38Total votes623 489100 00Registered voters turnout1 714 05536 38Source DVKAftermath editThe parliament is obliged by the result for one year and cannot propose similar legislation in that period Initiators of the referendum suggested that they will not oppose legislation which would expand social rights for same sex unions as long as it does not include adoption rights and redefinition of marriage 16 Supporters of the defeated bill expressed their disappointment over the result and suggested that a number of yes voters clearly decided to boycott the referendum Same sex marriage was however legalized by courts with immediate effect in July 2022 17 Inaccessible polling places dispute editBefore the referendum two voters with disabilities requested that the authorities make their polling places accessible 18 Their requests were denied and the courts rejected their lawsuits and appeals In 2019 together with the Slovenian Disability Rights Association Drupis they submitted applications to the European Court of Human Rights 19 In January 2020 the Court communicated the cases with the government of Slovenia 20 As of January 2020 the cases called Toplak v Slovenia and Mrak v Slovenia are ongoing See also editRecognition of same sex unions in Slovenia LGBT rights in Slovenia 2012 Slovenian Family Code referendumReferences edit Slovenia says No to gay marriage POLITICO 20 December 2015 Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o zakonski zvezi in druzinskih razmerjih pisrs in Slovene Pobudniki referenduma so zbrali 48 146 podpisov MPs Vote to Ban Gay Marriage Referendum 27 March 2015 in Slovene Koalicija Za otroke gre bo nocoj oddala ustavno pritozbo Archived 2015 04 09 at the Wayback Machine Slovenia court allows referendum on halting gay marriage Archived from the original on 2015 12 08 Slovenia to hold gay marriage vote in December 4 November 2015 a b c Ryan Heath 15 December 2015 Slovenia launches vote on gay marriage Politico Europe Family Law Struck Down 26 March 2012 Pope backs family values in Slovenia ahead of gay marriage vote 6 October 2022 Agence France Presse 17 December 2015 Pope backs family values in Slovenia ahead of gay marriage vote Vecina podpira istospolne poroke do posvojitev je zadrzana RTV Slovenia in Slovenian 16 February 2015 Retrieved 16 February 2015 in Slovene Izenacitev pravic raznospolnih in istospolnih parov po anketi podpira 42 odstotkov vprasanih 54 jih temu nasprotuje Rok Atelsek Na referendumu bi zmagala Ales Primc in Metka Zevnik Planet Siol net Archived from the original on 2015 12 25 Retrieved 2015 11 23 Slovenia rejects same sex marriage in a referendum Reuters 20 December 2015 Koalicija Za otroke gre napoveduje nov zakon Primc vstopa v politiko Slovenia Legalises Same Sex Marriage Adoptions Total Slovenia News Archived from the original on 2022 07 09 Retrieved 2022 07 08 STA Disabled take Slovenia to Human Rights Court over polling stations accessibility english sta si Retrieved 2020 01 14 STA Disabled take Slovenia to Human Rights Court over polling stations accessibility english sta si Retrieved 2020 01 14 HUDOC European Court of Human Rights hudoc echr coe int Retrieved 2020 01 14 External links edit in Slovene Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o zakonski zvezi in druzinskih razmerjih Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2015 Slovenian same sex marriage referendum amp oldid 1169210331, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
