By: Vančo K. Tegov
In Slovenia, perhaps, if minds are clear, the political waters will flow calmly. For this, we need those who strengthen the banks rather than undermine them. The rest are hangers-on, mischievous and spiteful observers. Or they are, in their behaviour, mentality, and development, unstable. In a word, they are lacking something essential – something we call normalcy.
What do we have at the moment? We have Slovenia that we might conditionally call a river in motion. Along this “river” lie two banks: politically speaking, and otherwise, a left and a right bank. Geologically, everything is more or less clear. Politically, however, it is far less clear – very little, in fact, or nearly nothing at all. The two political banks are in differing conditions, with widely varied structures and stability.
The right bank consists more or less of the same elements, although the compactness of its material is sometimes questionable. A predominant portion – thankfully – is made of a known, resilient Slovenian political “granite” that has shown its strength in various situations and tests, enduring over long periods. Yet, part of this material is made up of somewhat less stable components that subtly weaken the bank. Though these elements remain a part of it, we must be cautious to prevent them from “breaking off” and flowing downstream uncontrolled. Unfortunately, a portion of the material on the right bank has already been completely washed away, likely lost forever. This is the “geology” of the right bank.
The condition of the left bank of the “river” of Slovenia, however, is concerning. Even the most experienced political “hydrologists and geologists” are unsure how to proceed, leading to a great deal of experimentation. Those laying down the layers of the left bank, who see themselves as creative masterminds, are becoming weary of constantly testing new “materials” to stabilise it. Their “efforts” over the years have done little to reinforce anything except their own conviction that enough experimenting has been done with the components of the political left bank. These materials neither hold firm nor stabilise; they only undermine the bank upon which they stand. The “engineers” tasked with reinforcing the bank on which they stand have performed poorly, charging high fees for inferior materials that weaken the left bank’s foundation, making it unstable even against a modest “wave”. The bank collapses, washing them away to wherever they may drift. Along the way, they create “political” meanders and stagnant backwaters, waiting for the next great “flood”.
What do we want?
We need to guide the river and riverbed of “Slovenia” toward a better tomorrow, with clear waters and an uninterrupted flow. This is a shared goal for all. The undermining and erosion of the left bank have reached a point where fundamental reconstruction, renewal, and replacement of layers, materials, and even the overseers who allowed this foundational erosion are required. These processes have endangered the state of Slovenia itself. And this should not be done with each new wave of “engineers” who are worse than the previous ones, bringing with them subpar building materials that can be destabilised by the first flood and who never fully recover.
Even if the weather does not clear tomorrow, we need protection against ongoing political, mental, and national erosion. This erosion is caused by those who lack any core elements essential to ensure that decision-makers are equipped to determine how we fare now, how we will fare tomorrow, and what might happen to us the day after. This calls for a thorough reconstruction of the left bank and a very precise inspection of the right.
Is it possible?
Yes, it is possible. Now is the time to grab the political “bull” by the horns while keeping immature and bewildered “calves” away from the trough – and away from waters where the banks are unsuitable for them. Only then can we confidently say that the course of the “Slovenian” river will flow correctly, with water that is not muddy but clear, just as we hope Slovenia’s future will be.
Let’s desire it, hope for it, and make it happen!