Voters reject state broadcaster cut after late-night referendum shift
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Sunday's referendums delivered a narrow reprieve for the national broadcaster. Initial results suggested the RTV contribution would be abolished, but late counting turned the tide against the proposal. Simultaneously, a law on parliamentary investigations was defeated, a result civil society groups described as a win for democracy and commentators described as a stalled moment for the right wing.
The results prompted the usual political posturing. Opposition leader Janez Janša declared that masks have fallen, while Prime Minister Robert Golob suggested the government had lost public trust. On other ballots, voters approved social assistance measures and blocked a move to grant voting rights to foreigners.
Away from the polling stations, Health Minister Tadej Ostrc is facing an uncomfortable week. He is currently answering for a business deal where public funds were spent on advertisements that were never actually seen, while simultaneously proposing a law intended to increase the sale of alcohol and tobacco.