History of Slovenian independence

History: Slovenia

From the December 1990 plebiscite, through the 25 June 1991 declaration of independence, to UN admission in May 1992.

1 min read

Published

24 September 2026

Status verified as of

18 September 2026

The 1990 plebiscite

A plebiscite on Slovenian independence was held on 23 December 1990, with turnout of 93.3%; 88.5% of the total electorate voted in favour, equivalent to 95.7% of votes actually cast.[1]

23 December 1990 · Referendum or popular consultation

1990 Slovenian independence plebiscite

A plebiscite on 23 December 1990 produced a turnout of 93.3%, with 88.5% of the total electorate (95.7% of votes cast) in favour of independence.

Declaration of independence

Following the plebiscite and an unaccepted proposal for a peaceful, bilateral dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Constitutional Act on sovereignty and independence on 25 June 1991.[2]

25 June 1991 · Declaration

Declaration of Independence of Slovenia, 1991

Following an independence plebiscite on 23 December 1990, the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Constitutional Act on the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Slovenia on 25 June 1991, declaring the country a sovereign and independent state.

The Ten-Day War

Within two days of the declaration, the Yugoslav People's Army moved to assert federal control, leading to fighting with Slovenian territorial defence forces from 27 June to 7 July 1991 that killed 19 Slovene and 44 Yugoslav soldiers before ending with the Brioni Accords.[3]

27 June 1991 – 7 July 1991 · Conflict episode

Ten-Day War, 1991

Fighting between Slovenian territorial defence forces and the Yugoslav People's Army from 27 June to 7 July 1991 killed 19 Slovenes and 44 Yugoslav soldiers, ending with the Brioni Accords.

United Nations membership

The Security Council recommended Slovenia's UN membership on 18 May 1992, and the General Assembly admitted Slovenia on 22 May 1992, alongside Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.[4][5]

22 May 1992 · Recognition

Admission of Slovenia to the United Nations, 1992

The Security Council recommended Slovenia's admission to the United Nations on 18 May 1992, and the General Assembly admitted it on 22 May 1992.

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

Claim: A plebiscite on Slovenian independence held on 23 December 1990 produced a turnout of 93.3% of the electorate; 88.5% of the total electorate voted in favour of independence, equivalent to 95.7% of votes actually cast.

1990 Slovenian independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, Results section. Source record

Claim: Following "the absolute majority vote in the plebiscite held on December 23, 1990," the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia "adopted the Constitutional Act on the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Slovenia at the sessions of all its chambers on 25 June 1991." A prior proposal for a peaceful, bilateral dissolution of Yugoslavia was accepted only by Croatia. The Declaration of Independence stated that Slovenia "has proclaimed its sovereignty and independence and has thereby assumed actual jurisdiction over its territory," and that it sought "membership in the United Nations Organization."

Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Slovenia (25 June 1991) link, declaration text. Government perspective or primary official source Source record

Claim: The Ten-Day War, fought between Slovenian territorial defence forces and the Yugoslav People's Army from 27 June to 7 July 1991, killed 44 Yugoslav and 19 Slovene soldiers, wounded 146 Yugoslavs and 182 Slovenes, and saw 4,693 Yugoslav soldiers captured; it ended with the Brioni Accords, signed 7 July 1991, under which Yugoslav forces withdrew from Slovenia.

Ten-Day War (Wikipedia) link, Casualties and Aftermath sections. Source record

Claim: On 18 May 1992, at its 3077th meeting, the Security Council, having examined the application of the Republic of Slovenia, recommended without a vote that the General Assembly admit it to UN membership; the Council's President noted "with great satisfaction Slovenia's solemn commitment to uphold the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

United Nations Security Council, Security Council resolution 754 (1992) (United Nations, 18 May 1992) link, resolution text and President's statement. Source record

Claim: The General Assembly, at its 86th plenary meeting on 22 May 1992, having received the Security Council's recommendation and considered Slovenia's application, decided to admit the Republic of Slovenia to United Nations membership, alongside the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, admitted at the same meeting.

United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly resolution 46/236: Admission of the Republic of Slovenia to membership in the United Nations (United Nations, 22 May 1992) link, operative paragraph. Source record