By: Dr. Metod Berlec
The coalition leadership at Brdo pri Kranju showed that the new centre‑right government, after taking over executive power and making its first staffing reshuffles in the ministries – where left‑leaning personnel still largely prevail – is gradually preparing for concrete legislative and operational challenges in the autumn
The leaders of the coalition parties (SDS, NSi, Demokrati, SLS, and Fokus), ministers, and MPs outlined the key projects for the rest of the year: from the extensive implementation of EU directives that our country neglected during Golob’s government, to preparing a budget rebalancing, since the ministries have been financially severely depleted due to the extravagance of the previous government.
Individual ministers presented their priorities by portfolio and informed MPs about which legislation they can expect to see in parliament this year. They also agreed on a protocol for effective coordination between the government and the National Assembly and outlined a work plan. In addition to the worrying financial situation, various substantive areas were in the foreground. In the field of justice, Thursday’s government approval of the draft law on specialised bodies for handling corruption offences and organised crime (SKOK) resonated. In healthcare, they will strive for greater activity from the Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS), and in infrastructure for accelerating existing projects, building a third lane on highways, and speeding up preparations for the JEK 2 project. Among the priorities of the Ministry for Demography, Family, and Social Affairs are long‑term care and personal assistance. The focus is especially on abolishing contribution payments for pensioners and speeding up procedures for issuing decisions. In the field of culture (you can read more in the interview with the Minister of Culture, Dr Ignacija Fridl Jarc), the preparation of amendments to the Media Act and the RTVS Act is at the forefront. And the list could go on.
The coalition is simultaneously preparing for a “hot referendum autumn.” A referendum on the amendment to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act is undoubtedly coming, while the Constitutional Court must first decide on the admissibility of a referendum on the intervention law for Slovenia’s development. More referendum initiatives are expected. It is already clear that the transitional left‑wing network will do everything to weaken the ruling centre‑right coalition and the project‑linked movement Resni.co as much as possible. This is why its MP Boris Mijič is currently the main target of the dominant media. If this party supported a left‑wing government, its MPs would not be under such scrutiny, instead, they are being dissected to exhaustion. It is clear that the goal is to force the MP’s early resignation (if he resigns within six months of being elected) and consequently trigger a by‑election in the district where he was elected. In this issue of the magazine, we devote considerable attention to the controversial financing of projects abroad during Golob’s government and to former minister Tanja Fajon, who – by spending taxpayers’ money outside the oversight of the new government – attempted to “secure” a well‑paid European diplomatic post, namely the position of EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel. She did not succeed.
