By: Dr. Vinko Gorenak
Dear viewers – I greet you warmly.
Since we see and hear each other for the first time in 2022, let me just say this, I wish you all the best in 2022.
Otherwise, some highlights from left-wing media reporting:
- Supposedly we live in a time of fascism??
- Supposedly we live in the time of Janša’s dictatorship??
- Supposedly we live in a time of complete repression of human rights??
- Supposedly we live in a time of complete subordination of the media??
- Supposedly we live in a time of subordination of the prosecution and the judiciary??
- Supposedly we live in a time… I do not know which one anymore.
But the statistics are relentless. It cannot be disputed. So, let’s look at some of the data.
- Pensions have increased by up to 17.2% during the term of this Janša’s government (I include yesterday’s amendment to the law), according to which pensions will increase by up to 3.5% this month – in addition to regular adjustment next month. More specifically, 3.5% to those retired up to and including 2010, 1.7% to those retired in 2011, and 1% to those retired after 2011. This is a correction of injustices from the times of the previous economic crisis. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- This Janša government passed 10 PKP This saved 300,000 jobs. This has resulted in record high GDP in the EU and highest employment since independence. This is also why wages and pensions can be raised. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- This government has passed a law under which parents of new-borns receive 500 euros in assistance. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- This dictatorial fascist government of JJ has passed a law according to which others and all subsequent children will be in kindergartens for free. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- This government has provided 225 million euros for investments in nursing homes. We have not built one since 2008, but we have given millions for some studies on the subject. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- This government has provided 2.9 billion euros for healthcare at all levels – in the coming years, of course. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- This government provided 120 MIO funds for investment in education. There is practically no municipality in which no construction will take place in the coming years. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The average per citizen for municipalities is the most important source of municipal income. This government raised it from 573 euros to 647 euros in 2023. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- Foreign Minister Dr Anže Logar was extremely successful in leading his ministry during the EU presidency. In a short term, he held more international meetings than Erjavec and Cerar held in several years. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The Bled Strategic Forum was attended by more foreign representatives than in the previous two governments. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- 780 million euros is planned for investment in the Slovenian Army. Necessarily in the light of international commitments. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The introduction of the E vignette and the establishment of the motorway police are urgent projects. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- Slovenia has one of the highest economic growth rates in the EU. Thus, we are making great strides among more developed countries. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- Slovenia today has the lowest number of unemployed or the highest employment. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- We have a successful EU Presidency behind us. Praise was expressed by everyone from the President of the European Commission to the President of the European Parliament and the Council, even the European boss of Tanja Fajon – the socialist Frans Timermans praised our presidency. Of course, Tanja Fajon does not agree with this. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- In the time of Alenka Bratušek, we borrowed at a 5-7% interest rate. This means that we have repaid double the amount of debt in about 15 years. Today we are borrowing at a negative interest rate. You will not believe it, but it is true. We take out a loan for a few decades and we will repay less than we took out. Unbelievable but true. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The ratings of the world’s credit rating agencies, which assess the economic and financial situation of the country, adhere to more or less high ratings for Slovenia’s “stable prospects”. This also allows us favourable lending. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- For culture, this government provided a record budget of 122 million euros. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- Illegal border crossings decreased from 14,115 in 2020 to 9,158 in 2021. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The government provided 3.47 million euros to municipalities dealing with waste disposal for illegal migrants. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The government provided 2.5 million euros (of which 1.8 million euros in grants) for education, science, and care for the elderly. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- In addition, the government provided 270 million euros for public health institutions and homes for the elderly. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- European funds are available to us if, of course, we know how to draw them. By March 2020, when Janez Janša took over the helm of the government, we had drawn 36% of the available funds, and to date 72% of the available funds. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- In March 2020, we had 77,855 unemployed, and at the end of 2021 we had 65,939. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- The government provided another 65 million euros for nursing homes and 59 million euros for additional places in nursing homes. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
- Finally, the excess of the absurd. The government has proposed the Personal Income Tax Act, which should (and will) reduce personal income tax for all residents, in other words, the net income of all residents will increase. They could have already this month, but they will not. Namely, the left proposed a referendum vote on this issue. Of course, they know that the referendum will not be voted on. But they are jealous and are harassing, so you will get higher salaries a month or so later than you would have otherwise. Is this fascism and dictatorship? Judge for yourself.
Anyway. In my opinion, of course, we do not live in a time of fascism, nor in a time of dictatorship. However, we live in a time that the left political option is taking advantage of for the achievements in the elections on April 24th, 2022, if they will be elected. Borut Pahor says that they will be, and he decides on that.
Kind regards.
Dr Vinko Gorenak is a State Secretary in the PV Cabinet, a former Member of Parliament and Minister of the Interior, a university professor, and a member of the SDS.
Source: VinkoGorenak.net