By: Dr Metod Berlec
In this issue of Demokracija magazine, we take a close look at the expensive renovation of the Slovenian railway network and railway stations. The upgrade of the Maribor–Šentilj railway line (from 100 to 122 million euros), Jesenice railway station (from 81 to 126 million euros), Nova Gorica railway station (from the initial estimated 29 to a staggering 61.65 million euros), Pragersko railway junction and station (from 63 to 81.5 million euros), and the second railway track Divača−Koper for tens of millions of euros. These are just a few infrastructure projects that have significantly increased in cost during the current government led by Alenka Bratušek. It is noticeable, as journalist Vida Kocjan observes, that mostly the same contractors are repeatedly chosen. Leading the way are modern construction tycoons, owners of construction companies, such as Stojan Petrič (Kolektor Koling and Časopisna hiša Delo), Janez Škrabec (Riko Ribnica), GH Holding (Blaž Miklavčič, former CEO of Slovenian Railways), and the company Slovenian Railways – Railway Construction Company Ljubljana (SŽ–ŽGP). This raises the question of whether Slovenians will now overpay for the renovation of the outdated railway network (and stations), just as we have overpaid for the construction of the Slovenian motorway network in past decades.
In this issue, we commemorate the 15th anniversary (March 3rd, 2009) of the discovery of the mass grave in Huda jama near Laško. At that time, workers removed the 11th barrier in the St. Barbara tunnel. In Nova Slovenska zaveza (NSZ), it was noted that “Slovenia is a land of hidden horrors”. “The fate of the victims from Huda jama is, in some respects, even more terrible than the fate of those who were tortured, shot, and thrown into karst abysses. We will never know the details of the massacre of 1,416 victims in Huda jama. It is certain that some victims were shot, while others were walled alive in the mining tunnel. To be walled in more than 400 m3 of concrete barriers in the complete darkness of the mine… To be walled in more than 400 meters deep in the heart of the mountain, dying surrounded with a pile of bodies in the dark, perhaps dying from suffocation or dehydration… This horror eludes the representational power of the human mind. And yet, our mind, our will, do not fulfil their duties if they do not try to comprehend and touch with compassion this unimaginable terror. Among the victims of Huda jama were about a tenth of young women, perhaps girls from the camp in Teharje. Thinking about these women intensifies the horror of the crime. However, the need to at least honour the magnitude of their suffering with the inclination of our will and compassion is also increasing.” NSZ believes that the victims of Huda jama should be added to those from Macesnova gorica and other mass graves in a common ossuary, which should first be an expression of reconciliation with the dead and then a sign of reconciliation among the living. They add: “We hope that the years will not pass for the victims from Kočevski rog as they have for those from Huda jama before they reach their grave at Žale Cemetery in Ljubljana.”
THE RULING COALITION IS DESTROYING THE SLOVENIAN NATION WITH A CULTURE OF DEATH, CONTINUING THE INFAMOUS TRADITION OF ITS POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL PREDECESSORS.
In the latest issue of the magazine, we also address the dismal record that has affected the aging Slovenian society. In mid-February, Eurostat published the latest data on excess mortality in the European Union member states, for the month of December 2023. At that time, excess mortality in the European Union was 9.5%, higher than the 8.5% recorded in November 2023. In December 2023, excess mortality varied significantly among EU member states. Two member states, Romania (-13.3%) and Bulgaria (-7.4%), did not record excess mortality. Among the other 25 member states that recorded excess deaths, Slovenia ranked first and well above the EU average! The highest excess mortality in December was recorded in Slovenia (21.3%), followed by Austria (20.7%) and Estonia (20.0%), with Germany (19.3%), Denmark (19.0%), the Netherlands (18.5%), and Slovakia (17.1%) following. Given the latest data, all alarms should be ringing or red lights flashing in Slovenia. However, Prime Minister Robert Golob is not concerned about this; instead, he continues with decrees and verbal disputes with doctors, who continue to selflessly save lives despite the official strike. On the contrary, the ruling anti-Slovenian coalition is taking steps towards legalising euthanasia, treasonously reviving the failed SFRY, and governing authoritatively through decrees. To top it off, the General Secretary of the Gibanje Svoboda party, Vesna Vuković, is, as recent revelations suggest, illegally obtaining confidential information from the FURS for the purpose of political reprisals…