Ljubljana Mayor: Referendum on Parking Will Cost Nearly 1 Million Euros, Politically Motivated
Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković stated that the city will respect the residents' decision on a referendum regarding changes to traffic regulations.
- The potential referendum on new parking rules is estimated to cost nearly one million euros, with Janković suggesting it's politically motivated ahead of local elections.
- The new parking regulations aim for a fairer system, charging for parking in residential areas and limiting permits per household, though residents' initiatives oppose these changes.
Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković has asserted that the city administration will honor the will of the residents regarding a potential referendum on the new parking regulations. Janković, a prominent figure in Slovenian politics, views the push for a referendum as a politically charged maneuver by opponents ahead of the upcoming local elections. He firmly believes the new parking system, which introduces charges in residential areas and modifies permit allocations, is a more equitable approach compared to the previous system.
Trdim, da je to bolj pravičen sistem
The mayor highlighted the perceived benefits of the new regime, emphasizing that it prioritizes residents who own vehicles and lack private parking. The proposed system charges a modest fee for parking in residential zones, with permits costing €60 for the first vehicle per household, and additional permits available at higher rates. This contrasts with the previous system, which allowed up to three permits per apartment, regardless of vehicle ownership or private parking availability.
Če zberejo podpise, absolutno gremo na referendum. To bomo vedeli 28. maja
Janković also pointed to ongoing legal challenges and public discussions surrounding the parking issue, including a court hearing and a community meeting. He confirmed that if the signature threshold for the referendum is met by the May 28 deadline, the city council will proceed with organizing the vote. The estimated cost for holding such a referendum is close to one million euros, a significant sum that underscores the contentious nature of the parking policy. The mayor's stance reflects a commitment to democratic processes while also signaling his administration's conviction in the necessity and fairness of the new parking regulations for the capital city.
Če zberejo podpise, absolutno gremo na referendum. To bomo vedeli 28. maja
Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.