By: Vančo K. Tegov
The situation in politics is pathological. Some go into “self‑isolation,” while others fly around Slovenia with leaflets – pardon, pamphlets – in which they have uncritically gathered everything that is theirs and not theirs (mostly not theirs), waving them around as if they had just discovered a new planet. In my opinion, a planet of lies, insinuations, untruths, and blatant nonsense. This is something individuals or small groups do when they are chasing the last uncovered areas where their presence and disastrous consequences have not yet reached.
Unfortunately, they often descend onto slippery, dangerous ground where political teeth get broken. I am thinking especially of the “well‑known” woman from Trbovlje, or Laško, who is politically deceiving the people of Celje, much to the disappointment of reasonable and determined people, of whom, at least for now, there seem to be too few. This is exactly what gives her wings to forget herself and start waving even in front of those of us who know her history of trimming and appropriating the achievements of others. For many years she associated with the former biggest “ecological” poser; they liked to pose together at press conferences, but were far less visible near the old chimneys of the zinc plant. In the meantime, she switched three parties – the only constant being her concern for her own promotion. These days, as she waves around Celje and its surroundings, she has made a cardinal mistake: she has claimed results that have nothing to do with her and her “excessive freedom of flight” supported by lies (which she knows well; her husband is a skydiver). In doing so, she has offended precisely those she should not have. The person most responsible for flood protection in Celje received the city’s Golden Coat of Arms. Yet this same Janja – on a practically handwritten note – proposed his replacement or dismissal. And this despite the fact that he was appointed director of the Water Directorate in the previous government precisely because he had proven himself through many years of professional work.
Unfortunately, someone with long manicured fingers, a volleyball player’s physique, and – unfortunately for her – short political sense (I will not comment on her private life) has taken off on waves of enthusiasm or on command. Judging by the appearance of their governmental and parliamentary ranks, they spread lies, half‑truths, or pure fabrications – perhaps they hope it will fall on fertile ground. But that no longer works.
“Occasional” illness
Their leader has a very convenient habit: before elections, he conveniently falls ill – first for a day, then he gets used to it. Only at the request of blind followers and sycophants does he appear with headphones from his living room and – although he is “suffering” – sacrifices himself. It is right that he stays there. It is serious when such important ministries are entrusted to political dilettantes and impotent individuals who should be slamming their fists on the table.
A typical example these days: given the situation in the Middle East, all foreign countries take care of their citizens, while our prime minister and foreign minister send only expressions of sympathy and unwavering support to the autocratic theocratic regime in Tehran.
In moments when nothing works in their favour (except rankings of failure and bottom positions on many charts), they sacrifice even the few untainted individuals who accepted ministerial posts because of their expertise. They send them as candidates to distant districts or compromised far from home – such as J. D. from the Novo mesto district to Laško. Whether this is desperation or some strange conviction (based on what?), only they know. But I know that voters – if common sense has reached them in the past four years – vote based on what they concretely see, not on what they heard second‑ or third‑hand.
Will it get better!?
The flaw of democracy is that we must – despite proven foolishness, lack of expertise, incompetence, narcissism, and questionable honesty, and despite failed votes of no confidence – endure poor results for an entire term. It is time for responsible democracy.
Yet hope still exists. Based on what we have seen in preparations and debates, it seems that the possibility of change is real and that a “rising wind” could come, one that would bring more optimism to many areas of life and work for all of us.