By: C. R., STA
Marko Lotrič remains President of the National Council. In a secret ballot, 19 council members voted in favour of his dismissal, while 18 voted against. For the dismissal to succeed, it would have required the support of a majority of all council members, meaning at least 21 votes. After the vote, council member Lidija Jerkič told the media that, given the result, his legitimacy as head of the National Council was questionable.
The proposal to dismiss Marko Lotrič was submitted by the interest groups representing employees and non-commercial activities. Consideration of the proposal was added to the agenda of the National Council’s session only afterwards. During this item of the session, Lotrič’s attorney was also present.
Speaking on behalf of the proposers, Lidija Jerkič cited his accumulation of positions as the primary reason for seeking his dismissal. She pointed out that Lotrič is not only President of the National Council, but also the leader of the coalition party Fokus, chairman of the Strategic Council for the Economy, and head of at least two employers’ organisations. These roles overlap, making it difficult to determine in which capacity he is acting at any given time. The initiators also raised the question of whether he uses the National Council’s personnel and financial resources for activities connected with these other functions.
She added that every council member has their own political views. However, if the president participates in government work and in drafting important legislation while simultaneously directing the work of the National Council and influencing its pace by accelerating or delaying certain matters, then “it becomes a problem for all of us.” In her view, there have been several instances demonstrating precisely this issue. “I believe that the appearance of impartiality of the President of the National Council was lost a long time ago,” she said.
In response, Lotrič argued during the session that the proposal’s justification consisted merely of insinuations. He emphasised that all legislative proposals had been placed on the agendas of council committees in a timely manner and without delay, and that any proposal by a member of the National Council to issue a veto had likewise been placed on the agenda without postponement.
