By: Edvard Kadič
When we think of bullies, we usually picture an obnoxious kid at school, intimidating weaker classmates and stealing their lunch. But this type of bullying is not confined to school hallways. It often finds its way to the streets and even into political circles. Such bullies exploit their power for personal gain and quickly retreat when faced with serious resistance. Sadly, this description seems increasingly fitting for the current Slovenian government.
Instead of improving the quality of life for its citizens, the government often treats them as obstacles to be silenced, overpowered, or discredited. Time and again, we witness key moments where the government fails. From the assault on police officers in Kočevje to protests in Celje and events in Ljubljana’s BTC, the result is an increasing sense that the state cannot protect its people or take responsibility for its mistakes.
The attack on police officers in Kočevje should have been a wake-up call for the entire security apparatus. Instead, in Slovenia, it faded into obscurity as just another fleeting headline. Members of the Roma community assaulted police officers – representatives of authority who symbolise law and order. In a country with a responsible government, the response would have been immediate, firm, and proportionate. Instead, we got the interior minister, Boštjan Poklukar, fumbling in front of cameras, assuring the public that “everything is under control.” Is it really? The incident was quickly swept under the rug, as if it had never happened.
What does such a reaction communicate? That in Slovenia, attacking a police officer can go unpunished? This undermines not only the reputation of the police force but also the foundations of the rule of law.
Another example of governmental ineptitude was evident during the protest in Celje. Around 2,000 people gathered peacefully outside the courthouse where Janez Janša and others were being tried in the Trenta case, protesting against perceived judicial corruption. The demonstration was peaceful – flags, slogans, speeches – until a civilian with a holstered gun appeared in the crowd. This “sheriff” participated in removing another protester. Only later was it revealed that he was a plainclothes police officer. But how could the public know he was not just another armed vigilante enforcing his version of justice? Without clear identification or a badge, he could have been anyone. What if someone in the crowd had seized his weapon? Would the minister have repeated empty phrases about the police “controlling the situation”?
This unnecessary and dangerous provocation shifted attention away from the essence of the protest – judicial accountability – and toward the incompetence of security forces.
A particularly absurd event occurred in Ljubljana’s BTC area, where the Albanian community celebrated their national day. During the celebrations, some individuals fired shots into the air, causing panic. Instead of a swift and decisive response, authorities downplayed the situation, claiming the guns were only “starter pistols.” Really? Imagine parents with children trying to differentiate types of firearms while bullets – or blanks – fly around them.
More bizarrely, the police failed to disperse the unregistered gathering. This is not just a matter of enforcement but a clear message that laws can be bent for the “right” group of people. Such negligence erodes public trust in government and security structures.
All this points to a deeper issue: a government that is not only incompetent but also devoid of vision and accountability. This is about dangerous leaders who fail to recognise their own ineptitude yet hold an entire nation and its coercive apparatus in their hands. The reality is that the current administration is incapable of managing crises and prefers to divert attention from its failings. This is not just irresponsible – it is dangerous. When citizens lose trust in institutions, the resulting lack of confidence paves the way for arbitrariness and chaos.
An interior minister who advises people to lock their doors against migrants instead of reinforcing the security system is a clear emblem of this incompetence. Such failures must be called out, loudly and unequivocally. This is not a government deserving of public trust; it is one that must be replaced before it causes further harm.
The first step toward change is to acknowledge that the problem extends beyond isolated incidents. It is a systemic failure – a culture that tolerates violence and shirks responsibility. Citizens must send a clear message that ignorance and manipulation are no longer acceptable. What we need is a government that acts in the interests of the people, not in its own.
Achieving this requires engaging the electorate. Apathy and passivity are the greatest enablers of bad governance. To bring about meaningful change, we must organise, demand accountability, and elect leaders who prioritise safety, the rule of law, and the well-being of the citizens.
Violence – whether physical or political – persists as long as it is tolerated. Now is the time to demonstrate where real power lies: with the citizens. A government incapable of addressing challenges or safeguarding its people does not deserve our trust. The time for change is now.
