Socialist Republic of Slovenia

The Socialist Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: Socialistična republika Slovenija) was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1963 until 1990 when Slovenia abandoned its Communist infrastructure and became a democratic constituent republic, still within Yugoslavia. Prior to 1963, the official name was the People's Republic of Slovenia (Ljudska republika Slovenija). On 8 March 1990, the Socialist Republic of Slovenia was succeeded by Republic of Slovenia, which was a constituent country of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia till 25 June 1991, when it declared independence.

Towards secession
In March 1990, the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia approved a number of constitutional changes that enabled a democratic transition. The socialist infrastructure was largely dissolved and open democratic elections were held in April of the same year. The parliamentary elections were won by the opposition, known as the DEMOS coalition led by the dissident Jože Pučnik. At the same time, Milan Kučan, the former chairman of the League of Communists of Slovenia (ZKS), was elected President of the Republic. The democratically elected parliament nominated the Christian Democratic leader Lojze Peterle as Prime Minister, which effectively ended the 45-year long rule of the Communist Party. During this period, Slovenia retained its old flag and coat of arms, and most of the previous symbols as it awaited the creation of new symbols that would eventually come after independence. The old national anthem, Naprej zastava slave was however replaced by the Zdravljica already in March 1990.

On 23 December 1990, a referendum on independence was held in Slovenia, in which 95 % of the voters (88.5 % of the overall electorate) voted in favour of secession of Slovenia from Yugoslavia. On 25 June 1991, Slovenian independence was proclaimed by the Slovenian Parliament. Following a short Ten Day War, the military of Slovenia secured its independence; by the end of the year, its independence was recognized by the international community.