By: M. Bo.
After the Freedom Movement launched an extensive pre‑election campaign before it was even allowed to do so, Golob’s government has now decided to use taxpayers’ money for a campaign promoting its “achievements.” Apparently, there are no limits for them. And this campaign, too, will be premature – it will end before it would even be permitted to begin.
Two days ago, the Government Communication Office published a “Call for the submission of offers for the preparation of a media plan for media buying for an informational campaign on the government’s achievements during the 2022–2026 term.”
“The Government Communication Office requires the service of preparing a media plan for the implementation of an informational campaign on the achievements of the government in the 2022–2026 term. For this purpose, we are surveying the market, and after obtaining information on market prices, the contracting authority will, in accordance with Article 21(1) of the Public Procurement Act (ZJN‑3), award the contract to the economic operator offering the lowest price for the described services,” the notice states. The deadline for applications is 28 January.
From the attached “Specification for the preparation of the media plan,” it is clear that the government is planning a 10‑day campaign (between 9 and 18 February) aimed at informing as wide a share of the population as possible. According to estimates, online ads are expected to reach 600,000 people, and radio ads 400,000. The Government Communication Office is allocating up to €15,000 for online media and up to €25,000 for radio stations – not including the cost of media buying.
Freedom Movement already stirring controversy with its premature campaign
Let us recall that the largest coalition party, the Freedom Movement, launched its pre‑election campaign long before it was allowed to do so. As is known, the elections will take place on Sunday, 22 March, and campaigns are legally permitted one month earlier. The law states: “The election campaign may begin no earlier than 30 days before the day of voting and must end no later than 24 hours before the day of voting.”
The campaign Golob’s party is already running is therefore outside the legal framework governing election campaigns. It is true, however, that legislation regarding premature political advertising is vague.
As previously reported, this is the campaign launched through the Freedom Movement’s website Slovenijanaprej.si, where the privacy and cookie policy reveals that the projected total amount for the political advertising campaign from 1 December 2025 to 19 February 2026 is up to €150,000. This includes the preparation and production of ads, the purchase of advertising space (including billboards), online and social‑media advertising, and other direct costs.
And the new government campaign on its “achievements” will also be premature. To repeat: it will run between 9 and 18 February. And we will all be paying for it…