Slovenia makes drinking water constitutional right

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – Slovenia has made access to drinking water a constitutional right in a bid to protect the Alpine nation's water resources from excessive exploitation.

Lawmakers late Thursday approved the change in a 64-0 vote in the 90-member parliament. Center-right opposition lawmakers abstained saying the vote was nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Lawmaker Branko Grims said the this is "nothing but PR."

Slovenia's constitution now states everyone has the right to drinking water. It says water resources are a public good managed by the state and supplied in a nonprofit service.

Prime Minister Miro Cerar says "being able to drink tap water around Slovenia should not be taken for granted." He says "it is a huge privilege that we must preserve for us and generations after us."