Although Slovenes in Celje developed rapidly from the 80-ies of the previous century on in economical and social sense, they were until the decay of the Monarchy too weak to be successful with tax and intelligence census and with oral voting at the municipal elections. Considering the economic power of the Celje German-Oriented residents, the only possible way of the Slovene entering into the municipal council would be to change the electoral system. The Slovenes considered this idea only before World War One, as they in February 1914 demanded in the Styrian Provincial Diet a proportional electoral system and secret elections for the Lower Styrian autonomous towns (Maribor, Ptuj, Celje). Due to determined opposition of the Lower-styrian German-oriented population they did not reach success.