State Secretary at the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is a consultative body representing the local and regional authorities of the Member States. Its focus is on fostering democracy at the local and regional levels, and on strengthening cross-border cooperation. The fundamental principles of local self-government are defined by the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which ensures the respect for, and protection of, local autonomy, while promoting the development of effective and democratic local governance within Council of Europe Member States.

In its most recent report on Slovenia, which was adopted at this session, the Congress drew attention to the positive state of local self-government, the progress made in municipal financing, and the improvement in the dialogue between the state and municipalities.

In his address, State Secretary Jure Trbič emphasised that Slovenia had successfully undergone the review of the implementation of the Charter's provisions for the fourth time since joining the Council of Europe, which confirms the stability and quality of the country's local democracy. He noted that Slovenia complied with all obligations arising from the Charter and its Additional Protocol on residents' right to participate in the affairs of a local authority.

Furthermore, he presented the steps that Slovenia has already taken to strengthen local democracy further. These include the simplification of spatial planning procedures, legislative amendments to municipal financing, which provide municipalities with additional funds, and a comprehensive reform of the salary system resulting in increased salaries for mayors. "The Republic of Slovenia remains committed to the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. Local self-government is one of the main pillars of the democratic system and the protection of human rights. All changes in this field will continue to be the result of an inclusive dialogue between the state and municipalities," said the State Secretary.

He pointed out that the Government and associations had reached an agreement on the amount of the lump sum per capita for the fourth consecutive time, which is currently at its highest level to date. He invited the Congress, for the third consecutive time, to establish an election observation mission for the local elections to be held in November next year.

On the sidelines of the session, the State Secretary attended an informal dinner hosted by Berta Mrak, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Mathieu Mori, representatives of Slovenian municipalities, and members of the Permanent Representation. The discussions focused on the results of the Congress's recent monitoring mission.

State Secretary Trbič also held a bilateral meeting with Marc Cools, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. They exchanged views on the continued implementation of the recommendations in the report on Slovenia, the role of Slovenian municipalities in strengthening local democracy, future cooperation, and preparations for Slovenia's local elections in 2026. The Ministry responsible for local self-government will invite a Congress observation mission to monitor these elections.

In addition to the State Secretary, the Slovenian delegation in Strasbourg comprised Roman Lavtar, Head of the Local Self-Government Division, and Polona Kobal, Head of the International Cooperation Service at the Ministry of Public Administration.