Slovenians take to the streets
For months Slovenia's citizens have been protesting against cuts in social services and corrupt politicians. The mayor of Maribor has been forced to resign and the government is tottering. Will the Slovenians accomplish what the indignant Spaniards failed to achieve?
Večer - Slovenia | Monday, 18. March 2013
Andrej Fištravec, a sociologist running as an independent candidate, was elected as the new Mayor of Maribor on Sunday with just under 53 percent of the vote. However the voter turnout for the snap election was just 31 percent. For the conservative daily Večer this makes the victory less historical than at first glance: » more
Andrej Fištravec, a sociologist running as an independent candidate, was elected as the new Mayor of Maribor on Sunday with just under 53 percent of the vote. However the voter turnout for the snap election was just 31 percent. For the conservative daily Večer this makes the victory less historical than at first glance: "The election was the continuation of the rebellion that for the first time in history toppled a politician. The candidate, who enjoyed the support of the rebels, has taken charge of the city despite a voter turnout that had never been so low. … The more votes were counted, the clearer it became that above all those who participated in the demonstrations went to the ballot. And who stayed at home? … The brutal defeat of the right-wing parties makes it clear that their normally extremely disciplined supporters didn't turn out to vote this time because perhaps a large part of them sympathise with the rebellion and its goals."
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Delo - Slovenia | Friday, 15. March 2013
Slovenia's future head of government Alenka Bratušek of the centre-left party Pozitivna Slovenija signed a coalition agreement on Wednesday evening. However the list of ministerial ... » more
Slovenia's future head of government Alenka Bratušek of the centre-left party Pozitivna Slovenija signed a coalition agreement on Wednesday evening. However the list of ministerial candidates is disappointing, the left-liberal daily Delo observes. "The government team presented by Bratušek on Wednesday evening doesn't live up to the expectations. Little has come of her promise that the new government would consist mainly of experts. For the most part the cabinet is made up of career politicians, party leaders, current ministers and above all an unusually high number of MPs. In the face of the current crisis and the political state of affairs Bratušek has doubtless shown plenty of courage in deciding to form a government. But she clearly had to make a lot of compromises to secure the support of the MPs in the new coalition, above all among those in her own ranks."
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Delo - Slovenia | Monday, 11. March 2013
Thousands of people have protested against the country's political elite on Saturday, demanded the resignation of all corrupt politicians as well as new elections in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Ex-Prime Minister Janez Janša may be gone but this hasn't served to promote trust in politicians, the left-liberal daily Delo comments: » more
Thousands of people have protested against the country's political elite on Saturday, demanded the resignation of all corrupt politicians as well as new elections in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Ex-Prime Minister Janez Janša may be gone but this hasn't served to promote trust in politicians, the left-liberal daily Delo comments: "The centre-right government is leaving the field but the problems remain. Trust in politics is still at rock bottom. The public is no longer willing to stand by and watch the abuse of power and conflicts of interest as it has done in the past. The new government can only be a temporary solution. … Changes on the political stage have already taken place, even if the established parties haven't yet recognised this. The gates are now open and the fresh wind will blow away all the rubbish. If all sides manage to show enough wisdom, political skilfulness and above all honesty, the good things will begin to flourish."
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Der Standard - Austria | Friday, 1. March 2013
After the downfall of Prime Minister Janez Janša in Slovenia the prime minister designate Alenka Bratušek is facing tricky coalition negotiations. If she doesn't manage to form a stable government and overhaul the banks her success will be short-lived, the left-liberal daily Der Standard fears: » more
After the downfall of Prime Minister Janez Janša in Slovenia the prime minister designate Alenka Bratušek is facing tricky coalition negotiations. If she doesn't manage to form a stable government and overhaul the banks her success will be short-lived, the left-liberal daily Der Standard fears: "Janša's forced resignation is a step forwards for the rule of law, but it also carries the risk of people taking out their anger on him and the issue of party transparency and economic reforms falling by the wayside. Because Janša's SDS is not the only party with hierarchical structures. The party of the new, politically inexperienced Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek was entirely tailored to the needs of its ex-boss Zoran Janković. Those who quite sensibly wanted spending cuts and reforms were penalised. The same is likely to happen to Bratušek. The success of her government depends however on whether she successfully reforms the state banks. Given the heterogeneous nature of the coalition, it's questionable whether the power of the budget expert will suffice."
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Večer - Slovenia | Thursday, 28. February 2013
The Slovenian parliament ousted the government of Prime Minister Janez Janša with a vote of no confidence on Wednesday. Janša has been struggling with accusations of corruption for some time now. The conservative daily Večer doubts that the new prime minister, Alenka Bratušek of the centre-left party Pozitivna Slovenija, will be successful: » more
The Slovenian parliament ousted the government of Prime Minister Janez Janša with a vote of no confidence on Wednesday. Janša has been struggling with accusations of corruption for some time now. The conservative daily Večer doubts that the new prime minister, Alenka Bratušek of the centre-left party Pozitivna Slovenija, will be successful: "The break is incomplete. Firstly because the new coalition is full of contradictions. Diverging interests that are easy to put down on paper under the collective heading 'Coalition Agreement' but won't be so easy to reconcile during the actual term of office. And also because if you read between the lines of ex-leader of the Pozitivna Slovenija party Zoran Janković's resignation announcement, it becomes obvious that he resigned because others wanted him to and not because it was the right thing to do. This proves that this section of the anti-Janša faction is also not aware of the key problem. It's not about what others want, but about the common good. It's about people's trust in politics and also politicians trusting each other."
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Delo - Slovenia | Wednesday, 27. February 2013
Slovenia's parliament is set to oust Prime Minister Janez Janša on Wednesday with a vote of no confidence. By the looks of things his successor will be Alenka Bratušek, the interim chairperson of the leftist opposition party Pozitivna Slovenija. She will face the task of bridging the gaps within the new coalition, the left-liberal daily Delo explains: » more
Slovenia's parliament is set to oust Prime Minister Janez Janša on Wednesday with a vote of no confidence. By the looks of things his successor will be Alenka Bratušek, the interim chairperson of the leftist opposition party Pozitivna Slovenija. She will face the task of bridging the gaps within the new coalition, the left-liberal daily Delo explains: "The crucial question will be whether she can maintain the complicated balance within the new coalition. She, too, won't have an easy time clearing herself of the allegations of the right-wing parties that she's just an instrument in the hands of 'people acting behind the scenes'. But if the coalition demonstrates cohesiveness and if Alenka Bratušek can bring a sense of autonomy and authority to her dealings with her political partners, she can form a functional government. ... If she fails, she and her party will wind up on the scrap heap of history. If she's successful, Slovenia will have its first female leader."
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Delo - Slovenia | Tuesday, 19. February 2013
After several days of mass protests, the Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov resigned on Monday. Demonstrations have been going on for months in Slovenia, and according to the most recent monthly polls put out by the left-liberal daily Delo, only 14.4 percent of respondents support the government. Nevertheless there's no sign of anyone resigning. For the daily this is indefensible: » more
After several days of mass protests, the Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov resigned on Monday. Demonstrations have been going on for months in Slovenia, and according to the most recent monthly polls put out by the left-liberal daily Delo, only 14.4 percent of respondents support the government. Nevertheless there's no sign of anyone resigning. For the daily this is indefensible: "According to news agency reports today [Monday], Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced he would reshuffle the cabinet just a day after a protest by tens of thousands of dissatisfied Bulgarians who accuse the government of corruption and monopolism [on the energy market]. The government of this poorest of the EU countries is just as unpopular as our own. But one thing is clear: the Bulgarian leader is far more sensitive to the opinion of the Bulgarian voters than our government is to the concerns of Slovenians. Bulgaria's voters at least elected politicians who govern, and who are ready to take their responsibilities somewhat seriously."
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Finance - Slovenia | Friday, 15. February 2013
In the midst of the Slovenian government crisis the opposition is unable to agree on either a transition government or early elections. This shows how many MPs are afraid of what will happen if people go to the polls, author Alojz Ihan writes in the business paper Finance: » more
In the midst of the Slovenian government crisis the opposition is unable to agree on either a transition government or early elections. This shows how many MPs are afraid of what will happen if people go to the polls, author Alojz Ihan writes in the business paper Finance: "The MPs are frightened of losing their new jobs, because it's clear that they won't be elected if new elections are held. It doesn't take a prophet to see that the citizens will vote for those who have not yet been in government or parliament and haven't held posts as mayors or similar offices. And if they want to survive, the traditional parties would also have to come up with some new faces as candidates. The old party top dogs would then by replaced a few weeks after the elections. ... This is why the MPs that walked onto the political stage just a year ago feel like they've been cheated."
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Delo - Slovenia | Thursday, 14. February 2013
The lawyer Miro Cerar cannot vie for the post of head of a new government in Slovenia because he lacks support from the country's divided opposition parties. The opposition would dearly love to depose Prime Minister Janez Janša with a vote of no confidence, but it is too weak and disunited to do so, the left-liberal daily Delo comments: » more
The lawyer Miro Cerar cannot vie for the post of head of a new government in Slovenia because he lacks support from the country's divided opposition parties. The opposition would dearly love to depose Prime Minister Janez Janša with a vote of no confidence, but it is too weak and disunited to do so, the left-liberal daily Delo comments: "When the coalition partners left the government following the accusations levelled by the anti-corruption authority, Prime Minister Janša jeered that these 'heroes' should start collecting signatures to introduce a vote of no confidence and topple the government - if they could get their act together to do so. ... The parties simply aren't in a position to find a solution to the political crisis: they can't agree on a no confidence vote, a new head of government, a transitional government or any other kind of government. The situation is absurd. The opposition has almost a two-thirds majority in parliament, but it is proving very difficult to find a replacement for the current government."
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Žurnal24 online - Slovenia | Friday, 1. February 2013
Representatives of numerous civil organisations called for the government to step down in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana on Thursday. The Slovenians have been protesting for months against social cuts and corruption. The online edition of Žurnal24 believes that the movement derives its strength from uniting many separate voices: » more
Representatives of numerous civil organisations called for the government to step down in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana on Thursday. The Slovenians have been protesting for months against social cuts and corruption. The online edition of Žurnal24 believes that the movement derives its strength from uniting many separate voices: "This is what makes the uprising so invincible. The different voices unite in a common cry: 'Enough is enough!' At the same time they respect each other, showing toleration for a wide variety of nuances. And those who have tried to drown out these voices with nationalist, chauvinist rhetoric have been shouted down with boos and catcalls. The people whom the state and capital have stripped of their dignity over the past twenty years are getting together to demand a society based on mutual respect. If the uprising is to survive this must continue to be the case, both on the street and in public debate."
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Dnevnik - Slovenia | Tuesday, 29. January 2013
Slovenian winter athletes continued chalking up victories on the weekend. Skier Tina Maze won the World Cup slalom race in Maribor, while snowboarder Rok Marguč became world champion in the parallel slalom discipline. The left-liberal daily Dnevnik calls for a strong sense of social commitment on the part of Slovenia's top athletes: » more
Slovenian winter athletes continued chalking up victories on the weekend. Skier Tina Maze won the World Cup slalom race in Maribor, while snowboarder Rok Marguč became world champion in the parallel slalom discipline. The left-liberal daily Dnevnik calls for a strong sense of social commitment on the part of Slovenia's top athletes: "They must be aware that they are not only athletes, but also successful personalities, in whom - in contrast to politicians - the people believe, and whose voice is heard even louder than the voices of demonstrators. In the past there have been several athletes who have stood up for social causes and done much to further the common good. Why shouldn't that also be the case in Slovenia? The time is more than ripe. ... Moreover, top athletes's influence on people is similar to that of creative people in the world of culture, whose critical voices are heard loud and clear."
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Mladina - Slovenia | Monday, 28. January 2013
After the withdrawal of the liberal Civic List party, the centre-right government of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša has lost its majority in parliament. Janša, however, insists on remaining in his post despite the growing calls for early elections. The left-leaning weekly Mladina puts its hopes in the founding of a new party: » more
After the withdrawal of the liberal Civic List party, the centre-right government of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša has lost its majority in parliament. Janša, however, insists on remaining in his post despite the growing calls for early elections. The left-leaning weekly Mladina puts its hopes in the founding of a new party: "The creation of an alternative, competent party is a more important topic than all the current strategising of the established parties. We believe that despite the current difficulties of the political class, such a party would gain support after eventual early elections. In the civil society out of which this party would grow there are plenty of clever and committed people with good intentions. And what's more, the citizens' plight and anger is increasing. ... The fact that time is running out could serve as extra motivation here, because when we have plenty of time we tend to put off the unpleasant tasks for later."
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Dnevnik - Slovenia | Thursday, 24. January 2013
The coalition government in Slovenia collapsed on Wednesday. The Civic List party withdrew from the centre-right coalition because despite the accusations of the country's anti-corruption authority, head of government Janez Janša has refused to heed its call for him to resign. The left-liberal daily Dnevnik explains why Janša still hasn't stepped down: » more
The coalition government in Slovenia collapsed on Wednesday. The Civic List party withdrew from the centre-right coalition because despite the accusations of the country's anti-corruption authority, head of government Janez Janša has refused to heed its call for him to resign. The left-liberal daily Dnevnik explains why Janša still hasn't stepped down: "His actions are unquestionably motivated by completely different perceptions, interests and plans. The way he sees things, stepping down means defeat - a true strategist never gives up. Janša is obviously also far from enthusiastic about the prospect of early elections. Or to be more precise, he is trying to set the time for a new decision by the voters himself. So the centre-right coalition is dead, but the end of Janša's term as head of government is not in sight. Janša has survived many difficult situations in the past, but one thing is certain: his situation was never as hopeless as it is now."
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Delo - Slovenia | Wednesday, 23. January 2013
After the allegations of corruption against Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, his centre-right coalition is on very shaky ground. Following a fruitless meeting with its coalition partners, the Civic List party led by President of the National Assembly Gregor Virant, as well as two smaller parties now want to withdraw from the coalition government. The left-liberal daily Delo predicts that Janša will stay in office, which could bring the country to a complete standstill: » more
After the allegations of corruption against Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, his centre-right coalition is on very shaky ground. Following a fruitless meeting with its coalition partners, the Civic List party led by President of the National Assembly Gregor Virant, as well as two smaller parties now want to withdraw from the coalition government. The left-liberal daily Delo predicts that Janša will stay in office, which could bring the country to a complete standstill: " Janez Janša doesn't have to say, promise or do anything now. He can just remain silent, which is precisely what he is doing intensively these days. The less he does in this affair, the more stable his government will be. But it won't be able to work effectively. Perhaps a few reforms on which everyone has already agreed will go through parliament, but then things will get difficult. Until we have a new government, the country will be in a state of paralysis. Political, economic, financial and general paralysis."
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Der Standard - Austria | Wednesday, 16. January 2013
The coalition partner of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša announced on Saturday that it was withdrawing its support and called on Janša to resign amidst allegations that he was guilty of corruption. Zoran Jankovic, who is likewise accused of corruption, stepped down as leader of his party on the same day. Slovenia is facing a serious governmental crisis, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes and sees the beginnings of a second revolution: » more
The coalition partner of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša announced on Saturday that it was withdrawing its support and called on Janša to resign amidst allegations that he was guilty of corruption. Zoran Jankovic, who is likewise accused of corruption, stepped down as leader of his party on the same day. Slovenia is facing a serious governmental crisis, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes and sees the beginnings of a second revolution: "This is not just about responsibility vis-à-vis the grave economic situation but also about respect for the rule of law. The anti-corruption authority has found proof of irregularities regarding Janša's income statements. ... Most Slovenians share this view. According to a poll by the business paper Finance, 86 percent want the prime minister to resign, while 90 percent want the mayor of Ljubljana, Zoran Jankovic, to step down. In Slovenia the crisis is obviously leading to a reform of the political culture that is also being pushed forward by the demonstrators. ... This harks back to the beginning of the 1990s when Slovenians fought an exemplary battle for democratisation."
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Mladina - Slovenia | Monday, 14. January 2013
Several thousand Slovenians demonstrated against their government in Ljubljana on Friday and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Janez Janša and opposition leader Zoran Janković. Both are accused of corruption. The left-leaning weekly Mladina is delighted about the current wave of protest in the country: » more
Several thousand Slovenians demonstrated against their government in Ljubljana on Friday and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Janez Janša and opposition leader Zoran Janković. Both are accused of corruption. The left-leaning weekly Mladina is delighted about the current wave of protest in the country: "This new uprising is the most positive event since Slovenia gained its independence. For the first time there is collective reflection on what we stand for, where we want to go and what we really want. The discontent has penetrated deep into the academic circles and the middle class, the two sections of the population that are generally responsible for major change. If this unrest continues and assumes a political character, perhaps in the form of a new party that offers alternatives to the current political elite, we can start to talk about the beginning of a renewal in Slovenian politics - and also about the collapse of the myth surrounding Janez Janša. Both these things are absolutely crucial for the long-term recovery of the state."
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Finance - Slovenia | Thursday, 10. January 2013
Slovenia's anti-corruption authority has accused Prime Minister Janez Janša and the leader of the opposition Zoran Janković of repeatedly neglecting their duty to inform the authority of any changes in their financial circumstances. Columnist Stanislav Kovač calls for their resignation in the business paper Finance: » more
Slovenia's anti-corruption authority has accused Prime Minister Janez Janša and the leader of the opposition Zoran Janković of repeatedly neglecting their duty to inform the authority of any changes in their financial circumstances. Columnist Stanislav Kovač calls for their resignation in the business paper Finance: "The anti-corruption authority has detected violations of the law, lacking transparency in their dealings and suspected abuses of power on the part of the country's two leading politicians, Janša and Janković. If the two don't resign they send the following message to society: break the law, do shady dealings and ignore the findings of the investigative authorities! Such behaviour on the part of politicians leads to the decay of a state's written and unwritten social norms. For this reason Janša and Janković must assume responsibility and step down. Otherwise Slovenia could sink into a state of chaos, which could also lead to the total breakdown of the system."
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Delo - Slovenia | Wednesday, 2. January 2013
Slovenia's new pension reform came into effect on January 1st, and negotiations on a labour market reform are in full swing. The reform must be implemented, the left-liberal daily Delo urges: » more
Slovenia's new pension reform came into effect on January 1st, and negotiations on a labour market reform are in full swing. The reform must be implemented, the left-liberal daily Delo urges: "If the social partners prove unable to go a step further it will raise the question of whether this reform will also be unable to achieve its long-term goal of giving young people greater access to the labour market. To accomplish that there must be more, not fewer, educational grants, and it must be easier both to hire and to fire workers. The job market has literally collapsed, and to stabilise the situation reforms in other domains are also urgently needed. Because a labour law reform won't accomplish much if, aided by the tax office, employers - including the state - can continue to withhold payment of social insurance contributions with impunity."
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Mladina - Slovenia | Friday, 28. December 2012
2012 was the year when the Slovenian people came alive again, the left-leaning weekly Mladina writes, as the wave of protest at the end of the year showed that people are once more taking an interest in public life: » more
2012 was the year when the Slovenian people came alive again, the left-leaning weekly Mladina writes, as the wave of protest at the end of the year showed that people are once more taking an interest in public life: "The streets are full of people who like to protest and rebel. They enjoy rubbing shoulders, their own self-assurance and the potentials of democracy. They take joy in their banners, their demands, their activities, their initiatives and the liveliness of their civic actions. These are people who like to be counted among the distrustful and to take part in a 'citizens' meeting'. ... They enjoy being more fun-loving than the political elite, and can imagine that this very fact has done much to dampen that elite's good humour. ... The protesters' message is clear: we're fed up with a political elite for whom the future, new alternatives and everything that's not an idealised version of what already exists can only spell disaster."
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Večer - Slovenia | Thursday, 20. December 2012
There will be no referendum in Slovenia on the planned "bad bank" or on the state holding company. The country's Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that the referendums were unconstitutional on the grounds that the smooth functioning of the state took priority. The conservative daily Večer believes the decision will further diminish the citizens' trust in the rule of law: » more
There will be no referendum in Slovenia on the planned "bad bank" or on the state holding company. The country's Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that the referendums were unconstitutional on the grounds that the smooth functioning of the state took priority. The conservative daily Večer believes the decision will further diminish the citizens' trust in the rule of law: "With this decision the court has gambled away a good deal of its authority and credibility - something state institutions are already lacking right now. This also means that the judges have effectively confirmed that there is no alternative to the government's austerity policy. Will they bear the consequences of this decision, which many consider questionable? With this ruling, the highest protector of the constitution has itself cast doubts on its apolitical nature and the principle that constitutional issues are not adapted to political and economic constellations. Clearly the judges (no longer) have any understanding of the distrust in politics and the constitutional state that is being voiced on Slovenia's streets and squares."
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Delo - Slovenia | Friday, 7. December 2012
Reacting to the massive demonstrations against his leadership and amid accusations of corruption, Franc Kangler, mayor of Maribor, Slovenia's second-largest city, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the year's end. The people's anger could soon be directed against other politicians, the left-liberal daily Delo believes: » more
Reacting to the massive demonstrations against his leadership and amid accusations of corruption, Franc Kangler, mayor of Maribor, Slovenia's second-largest city, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the year's end. The people's anger could soon be directed against other politicians, the left-liberal daily Delo believes: "The people on the street have clearly shown that they no longer want Franc Kangler. The mayor failed to understand that for a long time, just as he now fails to see that it's not the demonstrators but he himself and his style of governing that are to blame for his resignation. For that reason he also missed the right moment to step down in an honourable fashion. ... Kangler isn't the only politician in the country with such a high view of himself. It's a frequent mistake of elected representatives to forget the voters' interests after election day. ... Kangler's resignation could have a domino effect."
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Žurnal24 online - Slovenia | Wednesday, 5. December 2012
The Slovenian parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved a new pension reform, among other measures raising the retirement age to 65. The online edition of Žurnal24 sees the compromise as a reaction to the current protests in the country: » more
The Slovenian parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved a new pension reform, among other measures raising the retirement age to 65. The online edition of Žurnal24 sees the compromise as a reaction to the current protests in the country: "The heated mood in society influenced this agreement to no small degree. Because for some time now the protests have been directed against all politicians rather than a specific politician. For this reason, too, the politicians at least had to reach an agreement on one point and show that they can work together, that they can at least push through a reform that improves the situation in the country. … Unfortunately it was apparently necessary for thousands of demonstrators to derail the country before the politicians would talk to each other and unanimously approve the measure."
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Žurnal24 online - Slovenia | Tuesday, 4. December 2012
The wave of protest against the political class and the government in Slovenia reached a new high point on Monday. Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities to vent their frustration. According to the online portal Žurnal24 the Slovenians' patience is at an end: » more
The wave of protest against the political class and the government in Slovenia reached a new high point on Monday. Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities to vent their frustration. According to the online portal Žurnal24 the Slovenians' patience is at an end: "The politicians have attempted in vain to discredit the demonstrators, first as mercenaries of the opposition, then as rioters. ... But the goals of the protests are becoming increasingly clear. First they targeted corrupt politicians, now they're directed against politics itself, and increasingly against capitalism. The next step could be a call for social alternatives. The protests may die down, but everything depends on whether they continue or not. No one knows how this will all end. But one thing is certain: the genie is out of the bottle, and the people will not go on suffering in silence. Anything can happen now."
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Večer - Slovenia | Wednesday, 28. November 2012
In the Slovenian city of Maribor an estimated 10,000 people gathered again to protest against Mayor Franc Kangler on Monday. The citizens are calling for his resignation because he is facing no less than 10 legal proceedings on allegations of corruption and abuse of office. This rebellion against the municipal leader has achieved what the city's stint as European Capital of Culture failed to accomplish, the conservative daily Večer notes: » more
In the Slovenian city of Maribor an estimated 10,000 people gathered again to protest against Mayor Franc Kangler on Monday. The citizens are calling for his resignation because he is facing no less than 10 legal proceedings on allegations of corruption and abuse of office. This rebellion against the municipal leader has achieved what the city's stint as European Capital of Culture failed to accomplish, the conservative daily Večer notes: "So it seems the European Capital of Culture was most successful with a project which received no funding, and for which there was no PR or opening speech. Despite the buildings that were promised but never constructed and the short-lived nature of the artistic projects, and the fact that all the energy and the money failed to attract the most important players and institutions, something has come to life that gives the city hope for the future. And this has the greatest potential for durability and development, because it has restored the citizens' passion for life. The city has raised its voice."
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All available articles from » Gregor Kosi
Večer - Slovenia | Monday, 19. November 2012
Around 30,000 people demonstrated against the government's austerity programme in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana on Saturday, according to the organisers of the protest. But the conservative daily Večer writes that the protests didn't go far enough: » more
Around 30,000 people demonstrated against the government's austerity programme in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana on Saturday, according to the organisers of the protest. But the conservative daily Večer writes that the protests didn't go far enough: "Although they have become alienated from the politicians, the trade unions don't use events like that on Saturday to make a definitive break with them. ... The protests have shown that the trade unions won't be able to motivate the people to fight for new values and political change. Other groups are better positioned to do this, and are prepared to use violence to push their cause. [During protests against the mayor of Maribor property was damaged.] These groups derive their legitimacy from the plight and morals of the little man on the street. … The trade unions should voice their support for these groups, because they are a direct expression of the people's will. Admittedly it's questionable whether these groups can contribute to the common good in the long term."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Economic Policy, » Slovenia
All available articles from » Vasja Jager
Večer - Slovenia | Tuesday, 13. November 2012
Former prime minister of Slovenia Borut Pahor won the first round of the presidential election on Sunday, beating the incumbent Danilo Türk. The candidates will face each other in a runoff vote on December 2. But the low turnout of just 48 percent is a clear sign of the Slovenians' weariness of politics, the conservative daily Večer notes: » more
Former prime minister of Slovenia Borut Pahor won the first round of the presidential election on Sunday, beating the incumbent Danilo Türk. The candidates will face each other in a runoff vote on December 2. But the low turnout of just 48 percent is a clear sign of the Slovenians' weariness of politics, the conservative daily Večer notes: "Despite the calls to work together to improve the situation in the country, not even half of those eligible to vote cast their ballot. … The truth is that none of the three candidates had an idea that caught on with the masses. At least half of the country's citizens are no longer willing to play along with a political spectacle in which only those who like [the current center-right prime minister] Janez Janša and [left-leaning ex-president] Milan Kučan count. In a political landscape which consists only of 'ours' and 'theirs', half of the citizens can't find 'their' candidate. And this is no trifling matter."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » Slovenia
All available articles from » Dragica Korade
Delo - Slovenia | Tuesday, 30. October 2012
Hundreds of people took part in protests in the Slovenian city of Maribor on Monday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Janez Janša's government. The unions have called for a major demonstration in the capital Ljubljana on November 17. For the left-liberal daily Delo the government has gambled away the people's trust: » more
Hundreds of people took part in protests in the Slovenian city of Maribor on Monday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Janez Janša's government. The unions have called for a major demonstration in the capital Ljubljana on November 17. For the left-liberal daily Delo the government has gambled away the people's trust: "These protests are above all a rebellion against the government, which is losing the people's trust. ... Its opponents have now grown to the size of an army. ... There is no doubt that reforms must be carried out, and that they should aim at the right targets. But the precondition for their implementation is a broad political consensus and trust in the government. Unfortunately the government is achieving exactly the opposite because it clings to solutions that are tailored to certain interest groups - like the make-up of the management board of the state holding company."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Social movements, » Economic Policy, » Unions, » Slovenia
All available articles from » Maja Grgič
Mladina - Slovenia | Monday, 8. October 2012
Slovenia's Minister for Education and Science Žiga Turk on Friday announced plans to cut salaries in the education sector. At the beginning of the semester he had called on students to be grateful for the fact that the state continues to provide free university education. But the citizens pay taxes and therefore have a right to education and other services from the state, the left-leaning weekly Mladina points out indignantly: » more
Slovenia's Minister for Education and Science Žiga Turk on Friday announced plans to cut salaries in the education sector. At the beginning of the semester he had called on students to be grateful for the fact that the state continues to provide free university education. But the citizens pay taxes and therefore have a right to education and other services from the state, the left-leaning weekly Mladina points out indignantly: "The citizen pays high taxes because the state is supposed to guarantee education and the infrastructure. ... We pay taxes and social contributions also for the event that we lose our jobs. We pay social contributions for the event that we need medical care or social benefits. This is why social benefits are not a gift from the state but something to which we are entitled. ... And why are all these examples being cited? Because in recent times the state has been portraying all our rights (for which we pay!) as if they were a gift from the state. The citizens by contrast are being portrayed as hyenas who are being given something that doesn't belong to them."
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More from the press review on the subject » Tax Policy, » Social affairs, » Society, » Slovenia
All available articles from » Grega Repovž
Delo - Slovenia | Monday, 10. September 2012
Slovenia's conservative head of government Janez Janša last week spoke again in an interview of the possibility that the country may be insolvent by the end of October. Economic experts and the opposition, however, say this won't happen. The daily Delo sees Janša's statements as a ploy: » more
Slovenia's conservative head of government Janez Janša last week spoke again in an interview of the possibility that the country may be insolvent by the end of October. Economic experts and the opposition, however, say this won't happen. The daily Delo sees Janša's statements as a ploy: "Why does the head of government keep on making the markets uneasy with his statements? The economic experts have been asking this question for some time. Now that Janša has made these statements a second time one may well suspect that this was no mere slip of the tongue but a carefully thought out strategy. The coalition partners say such behaviour is irresponsible. ... And the situation is particularly worrying because in his rare and strictly orchestrated media appearances the prime minister never forgets to criticise certain social or professional groups or concrete individuals."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Economic Policy, » Slovenia
All available articles from » Zoran Potič
Večer - Slovenia | Thursday, 9. August 2012
Following in the footsteps of Standard & Poor's and Moody's, the rating agency Fitch also downgraded Slovenia's credit rating on Wednesday, bringing it down to ... » more
Following in the footsteps of Standard & Poor's and Moody's, the rating agency Fitch also downgraded Slovenia's credit rating on Wednesday, bringing it down to just one notch above junk status. The conservative daily Večer is not surprised by the move. "If Slovenia does indeed become the sixth country to seek assistance from the EU bailout fund it only has itself to blame, not the speculators. At a time when the government is taking its 'well deserved' holiday, the yields on Slovenian bonds have again risen above the sustainable level of seven percent. This means that the country - which once dreamed of becoming a sub-Alpine Switzerland - is finding it increasingly difficult to access fresh credit. The government reacted with consternation and surprise to the news that the US rating agencies had lowered the credit rating of Slovenia and its three banks (NLB, NKBM and Abank). ... But the prostrate state of the banks is just one of our problems. The other is the general mood in the country - and that also influences the assessments of the rating agencies."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Economic Policy, » Slovenia
All available articles from » Irena Ferluga
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