By: Dr Matevž Tomšič
Political reality is sometimes more bizarre than fiction. Recently, we witnessed something that belongs in the category of “it cannot be true, and yet it is”. To many, it may have seemed amusing in its absurdity. But it is deeply worrying, because it reveals the bleak state of affairs in Slovenia and Europe, and above all the distorted forma mentis of an important part of their political decision‑makers.
We have in mind the document adopted by the European political group of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) at their recent meeting in Ljubljana (which they called the “Ljubljana Declaration”). In it, they demanded that the European People’s Party exclude the Slovenian Democratic Party from its ranks. Yes, you read that correctly! The left has decided to dictate to its political opponents on the right how they should manage their internal affairs, in other words, whom they may or may not have among their members.
This is an act of incredible arrogance by the socialists. Their arguments, which are fabricated anyway (claims that Janša and his party undermine European values, bla bla bla), are entirely irrelevant. Such interference in the internal affairs of other political groups is unacceptable, especially when it concerns their main political rivals. As Matej Lahovnik illustrated with a football metaphor: it is as if FC Barcelona were to demand that Real Madrid exclude those players whom Barcelona does not like. Such demands cannot be attributed even a shred of good faith.
One could say that this is merely a pre‑election manoeuvre. The European socialists rushed to Ljubljana to support their Slovenian colleagues, who are not doing well ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. And so they decided to escalate matters (otherwise, to be a bit cynical, their visit might not have been noticed at all).
The old social‑democratic left was rooted in the heritage of European civilisation, whereas the new left is undermining its foundations. That is why it is deeply twisted when European socialists accuse others of acting against European values. They themselves are the greatest destroyers of Europe’s heritage.
However, the matter is far more serious. This move reveals the mentality of that part of European politics which once represented the centre‑left but is now becoming increasingly similar to the radical left. Those who once fought for workers’ rights and for improving the living conditions of working people are now the carriers of radical ideological currents that can be grouped under the label “wokeness”. And they impose these ideas in a very aggressive manner. The old social‑democratic left drew from the heritage of European civilisation, while the new left is eroding its very foundations. It is therefore perverse when European socialists accuse others of acting against European values, they themselves are the greatest destroyers of Europe’s heritage. Europe has become weak because of the policies they impose: from mass importation of migrants from the Third World, to the draining of the economy in the name of the “green transition”, to the dismantling of the traditional family based on various “gender theories” and similar ideological absurdities. In true Bolshevik fashion, they want to carry out social engineering in almost every sphere of social life. They want to control everything and everyone. It is no surprise, then, that they would like to turn their political opponents into puppets who “dance to their tune”.
The European People’s Party immediately rejected the demand to expel Slovenia’s largest opposition party. But this should prompt serious reflection among the members of the largest political group in the European Parliament. They must finally realise that the socialists are not their allies. In recent years, they have far too often entered into unprincipled compromises with them or even submitted to the left‑wing agenda. In doing so, they have discredited themselves in the eyes of many Europeans who value and uphold traditional values. And these are the values that brought Europe greatness and gave its people prosperity unmatched anywhere else in the world. On these values the “old continent” stands or falls. Therefore, cooperation with those who do not value these principles, or even despise them, must be rejected.