By: (Nova24tv.si)
When the SDS party was in power, it always offered a hand of cooperation, but it was consistently rejected by the left. A completely different scenario occurred when the left was in power. The SDS party was not offered a hand of cooperation at that time, as they preferred to pursue a policy of exclusion. Even now, no hand has been extended to the SDS party, but in the largest opposition party, they have still decided to join the collaborative project for the benefit of the citizens.
The devastating natural disaster that hit Slovenia at the beginning of this month did not spare anyone. Apart from the loss of lives, it caused immense material damage, leaving numerous families without a roof over their heads, something they had worked for their entire lives. Because cooperation on the political stage is what can contribute to successful recovery and aid to citizens, especially the most vulnerable ones, the largest opposition party, SDS, has decided to extend a hand of cooperation. This is in stark contrast to what we witnessed during the COVID-19 crisis under the Janša’s government. The opposition at that time, which is now in power, preferred to incite for their political gains, putting their own interests before the importance of safeguarding public health.
Although the SDS party, especially its long-standing leader Janez Janša, is often demonised in the media, the fact remains that it is far from exclusionary behaviour, as it is often accused of. During the first term of Janša’s government from 2004 to 2008, when SDS was in power, the then-opposition was offered a partnership for development with the aim of creating better living conditions together. With the cooperation of the opposition (Pahor’s Social Democrats), which chose to participate, a comprehensive tax reform was adopted and coordinated. Among other things, this reform allowed our country to adopt the new currency. In the event that they had not adopted the euro back then, the crisis would have been even worse.
Even in 2012, during the second term of Janša’s government, the opposition was invited to contribute to shaping the law for balanced public finances (ZUJF). However, there was no interest on the opposition side for this. Due to vehement opposition to the law on fiscal rules, the state holding company, and the bad bank, there was almost an uprising both within and outside the halls of democracy. Despite the opposition’s reluctance to cooperate, demonstrated during the time when the SD party was in power, it did not deter the third Janša’s government from offering a partnership in 2020. After all, unity is strength.
During the previous government’s time in power, only the opposition SNS chose to cooperate
Following the example of the Partnership for Development during the 2004-2008 mandate, the third Janša’s government, composed of the SDS, NSi, SMC, and DeSUS parties, extended an invitation to opposition parties to collaborate on making important decisions for Slovenia’s future. The willingness to sign an agreement during the coronavirus crisis, when adopting anti-coronavirus aid packages was crucial, was demonstrated only by the opposition SNS led by Zmago Jelinčič and the representatives of national communities. As crisis times require continuous adaptation, despite the opposition’s lack of readiness for partnership, they were invited to participate in consultations with the healthcare sector alongside President of the Republic Borut Pahor and the government. At that time, Janša also wanted to hear opposition proposals regarding measures during the epidemic. However, the opposition rejected the invitation, claiming that the government was already taking necessary actions. “We are convinced that this is a hollow gesture,” said Alenka Bratušek as a sign of their unwillingness to collaborate, while Tanja Fajon, the President of the SD party, expressed a belief that the offer was insincere.
Instead of cycling, SDS is helping to the best of its abilities
Despite not receiving a generous offer to collaborate as the largest opposition party, SDS decided to join the collaborative effort during the time of the devastating disaster. “When disaster strikes us all, the SDS party does not cycle through the streets protesting against the government, but rather helps to the best of its abilities,” Janša announced after the session of the National Security Council. All parliamentary groups, along with the representatives of national communities, voted in favour of adopting an amendment to the law on the elimination of the consequences of natural disasters on August 10th. This amendment, among other things, enables a faster allocation of financial resources to affected municipalities. With its presence, SDS facilitated the support for the resolution regarding the inadmissibility of a legislative referendum on the amendment to the law on the elimination of natural disasters.
On Friday, August 18th, the opposition met with the coalition, where Janša presented 44 proposals and recommendations for recovery to Prime Minister Robert Golob. After exchanging views on the set of measures, Golob confirmed that they are well coordinated with their colleagues from the opposition and added that he hopes for the unity to last as long as possible. In a recent confrontation on the show “24ur Zvečer”, Janša and Golob agreed that people are the top priority and that there is currently no time for political bickering. At the same time, Janša reminded the Prime Minister that political unity always depends on “the one holding the scissors and the canvas”, emphasising that humanity must be the top priority in such cases, and the key is to provide conditions for recovery as quickly as possible. Regarding the law that will address the current situation and will soon be put to a vote in the parliament, Janša stated that when it really matters, every word is not scrutinised. “Even if not all our proposals are taken into account, we will support it because it is moving in the right direction to address the situation,” he emphasised.
Concrete examples show that the SDS party cannot be accused of non-cooperation with all political actors. If the left, which considers itself cooperative and generally holds the scissors and canvas in its hands most of the time, were to act in the same way, they would undoubtedly be on a better path to becoming another Switzerland. If everyone is steering toward their own shore, progress cannot be achieved.