Slovenia chips away at constitutional state

The conservative Janez Janša has been ruling Slovenia as prime minister since Saturday. With this turn of events the country faces a similar fate to that of Hungary, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: "One thing you have to say about Janez Janša: he's one of the country's craftiest politicians. Even though his Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) only took second place in the parliamentary elections, he is nevertheless once more prime minister, a function he already exercised between 2004 and 2008. This time around it's in a five-party coalition, and Janša will do all he can to exert pressure on his partners. ... With Janša's return to power yet another of Austria's neighbours threatens to become increasingly authoritarian. Already there are clear signs that constitutional structures will be curtailed. According to the coalition agreement the new government plans for example to introduce a probation period for judges. In addition, it will have the power to reappoint judges to another court at will. ... Janša's first plans show that his government will even have greater influence over criminal proceedings than in his first term of office."

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