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The National Council (Slovene: Državni svet) is according to the Constitution of Slovenia the representative of social, economic, professional and local interest groups in Slovenia and has a legislative function working as a corrective mechanism of the National Assembly, although it does not itself pass acts. It may be regarded as the upper house, but the bicameralism is distinctively incomplete. The council has 40 members: 22 representatives of local interests, six representatives of non-commercial activities, four representatives of employers, four of employees and four representatives of farmers, crafts, trades and independent professionals. It is not elected directly by the population, but meant to represent different interest groups in the country. The councillors are elected for a five-year term.
The current President of the National Council is Mitja Bervar from 12 December 2012.
Presidents of the National Council
- Ivan Kristan (LDS): 23 December 1992 – 17 December 1997
- Tone Hrovat (SLS): 17 December 1997 – 17 December 2002
- Janez Sušnik (DeSUS): 17 December 2002 – 12 December 2007
- Blaž Kavčič (LDS / SMS-Zeleni): 12 December 2007 – 12 December 2012
- Mitja Bervar 12 December 2012 – present