By: Edvard Kadič
The scandal surrounding the purchase of a dilapidated building for the judicial headquarters on Litijska Street in Ljubljana has been shaking the Slovenian political scene for some time now. When I warned, in one of the Ura moči shows right at the outbreak of the scandal, that it was an attack on the president Tanja Fajon and an attempt to undermine the party as a whole, I received many comments stating that this was not true and that it was just another ‘corrupt’ affair. Today, it is more than evident that I was right. However, this affair has also revealed a catastrophic decline in ethical standards in Slovenian politics. For instance, Dominika Švarc Pipan insisted on remaining in her position, even though she ‘should have’ resigned practically immediately after the serious outbreak due to objective responsibility. We could witness how such matters are handled a few days ago in Hungary. The president resigned immediately, citing a mistake in granting clemency to a person who did not deserve it.
The decline in ethical standards in Slovenian politics is a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon. Unfortunately, it manifests itself through various forms and at different levels of political activity. It can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is an increased polarisation. Golob, in his pre-election campaign speeches, ominously resembled Mussolini. He promised to cleanse the Janšists and everyone who did not share his views. This represents a typical leftist extremism that inherently diminishes the willingness to compromise. This creates an environment where “victory at any cost” prevails, naturally undermining ethical standards. Then there is the commercialisation of politics. If ever, now, during the ‘Golobisation’ of Slovenia, politics is directly subjected to money. It is alarming, for example, to witness millions being distributed to non-governmental organisations, the street wing of the revolution of freelancers. The third factor is the influence of social media. Social media has changed the way communication occurs in politics. Things are much more direct and even brutal. Such media often encourage sensationalism and spread misinformation. This fosters unethical behaviour among politicians who seek attention and influence through these platforms.
All three highlighted factors directly lower ethical standards in Slovenian society, manifesting in various ways. Corrupt practices, such as when a mayor publicly and without consequences admits to reminding potential investors of desired sponsorship for sports clubs in the city. Then there is lying and manipulation through the deliberate spread of falsehoods (or misleading information) for gaining political advantages. How many promises and how many fulfilments of those promises have we witnessed during Robert Golob’s time? Or the abuse of power or the use of political influence to pressure individuals (such as the case of Tatjana Bobnar) without legal or moral basis? What about the general ignoring or violating of legal and ethical norms in political actions? An egregious example of such behaviour is Golob’s disregard for invitations from the parliamentary investigative commission.
RENEWAL AND MAINTENANCE OF HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE HEALTH AND SUCCESS OF ALL DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES.
Such behaviour cannot lead to positive outcomes for democracy. When the public perceives that politicians are acting unethically, it diminishes trust in the entire political system. Erosion of trust in institutions is a natural consequence. In Slovenia, we currently have a case where an active politician, a former president of the National Assembly, is now the general secretary of the State Electoral Commission. How this could strengthen trust in Slovenian democracy is indeed puzzling. Unethical politics also increases social tensions and polarisation. The current state in Slovenian society, where practically every small matter immediately forms two opposing poles, is a natural consequence of such a politics without at least minimal ethical standards.
The real question in all of this is, of course, what are the solutions? What should we as a society do to raise ethical standards and consequently strengthen trust in the democratic system of Slovenia? There are no magic wands, but the issue needs to be approached comprehensively. The Slovenian judiciary, with the Constitutional Court at the forefront, is probably at its lowest point of trust in the history of modern Slovenia. This is the direction where efforts must be made as soon as possible. Slovenian judiciary must actively strive to restore trust; otherwise, we may soon consider dismantling the state. The same applies to so-called independent bodies, such as the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (CPC), the Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia, the Ombudsman, and others. Sooner or later, we must address questions related to the transparency of political financing and the functioning of political parties. How street activists (cyclists and various institutes) without resources can wage a battle for or against Golob or Janša should not remain unanswered.
The decline in ethical standards in politics is a serious problem that requires comprehensive solutions. At this moment, it seems like mission impossible in Slovenia. However, the renewal and maintenance of high ethical standards are crucial for the health and success of all democratic societies. Sooner or later, as a society, we will have to bite into this apple, no matter how sour it may be.