By: Arian Sajovic
Last week, the new Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob was on his first visit abroad. Golob met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin and our mainstream media came out with fanfare. We were able to read and hear how the Germans now finally have a partner who actively shares and defends European values, and how the visit represents a turn from the Visegrad Group to core Europe. Oh?
On the one hand, they condemn and withdraw from cooperation with the Visegrad Group and approach core European countries, and on the other hand, they withdraw from business with the Germans and create a deal for armoured vehicles with the Poles. Interesting… The statements amaze you even more if you consider that the deal for boxers was concluded through the international organisation OCCAR, which was literally formed by core European countries on the basis of international cooperation and common (European) values. This incoherence, without the logic and strategy that characterises our new-face governments, gives the impression that this visit was more of a photo opportunity and a service to the social democratic ties between Fajon and Scholz. The Germans made it clear to us that the suspension of the deal could jeopardise relations between the two countries. With such statements, one doubts that the Germans actually see Slovenia as a European partner. The tightening of relations with our largest economic partner is a high price in exchange for a reactionary search for a compromise between domestic political wishes and international commitments, which will ultimately do more harm than good. In the desire to blow the soul of the Levica party and reduce the amount of funds allocated to defence expenditures, the government began to look for cheaper (and consequently lower quality) options on the market, but since the contract has already been signed, the penalties in the event of a possible withdrawal from the purchase could together with the price of the Polish-Finnish Rosomaks exceeded the final bill of the boxer business. Over morning coffees and evening drinks, we can already hear quiet chirping with a complaining tone when talking about the new government and its functioning, but this government is exactly what we deserve. As long as we as the electorate mindlessly follow the narratives of the mainstream media and vote chaotically, we cannot expect the government we elect to be any different.