| Summary: | Since attaining independence, Latin pattern (Martin, 1978) disputes and
conflicts have characterized the Slovenian political scene, particularly as
to relations between the state and religious communities. Slovenia adopted a
law on the issue only in 2006, availing itself of the law from the 1970s. The
2007 Religious Freedom Act contained many privileges for the dominant Roman
Catholic Church, including those of a symbolic nature and those of an
economic one. The Constitutional Court declared the Act unconstitutional and
void, departing from the European Convention of Human Rights and the case law
of the European Court of Human Rights. Thus, it set other beliefs at the same
level with religious ones, did away with many privileges and obstacles 81 in
recognition and registration of new religious communities. However, this
decision has legislatively been implemented only in a small portion,
remaining to be fully implemented. However, the absence of substantive
agreements with the Holy See and the absence of religious instruction in
public schools indicate a predominance of liberalism on the public scene.
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