By: Dr Stane Granda
Every citizen with a shred of sense knows that the current government should never have existed. It is anti-independence and anti-Slovenian. It lacks values.
It is absurd that serious analysts of our social conditions do not rule out the possibility of this government repeating its mandate. Most of its potential voters belong to the generation that fought for independence. No one has explained to them that this was the greatest achievement in Slovenian history. Where are Slovenian education and upbringing headed? Who is responsible? Why do we have the National Education Institute of Slovenia? Was the current minister appointed as a reward for sabotage? The only hope is that they will not turn out en masse at the elections.
There are far more questions than answers about Slovenia’s political situation. Let’s hope that opposition parties and those seeking entry into parliament at least understand what Slovenia is and in which direction it should develop. Slovenian and foreign social scientists observe that the youngest generation of adult citizens has a new, different relationship with social reality. They want to be active citizens. From conversations with them, it is clear they reject extremes. Instead of ideological and personal clashes among politicians, they want competitive debate about visions and goals for the future. They care about the reality of expectations. They care about what tomorrow will bring and how it will unfold.
It is nothing new to point out again that Slovenia’s independence lacked long-term plans for the country’s future form and substance. Liberation into democracy and Slovenian sovereignty were seen as guarantees and sources of a safer and better tomorrow. That “tomorrow” has more or less passed successfully. But what about the medium- and long-term future? Why has no government since Drnovšek, who, frankly, bears much responsibility for today’s situation, managed to repeat its mandate?
The foundation of Slovenia’s future must be “Slovenia first.” Not because of Trump or inspired by him, but because that is the essence of any normal country. The economy and entrepreneurship are the base on which culture rests, but both must serve people, not the economy. The hierarchy of values must be clear. We elect parliament, which appoints the government. The Economic and Social Council is important, but it cannot usurp power. Entrepreneurs should act through parties. They are not a branch of government. The same principles apply to our relationship with nature, which exists because of humans and has no meaning without them.
Slovenia must be a social and legal state. It is no coincidence that the oldest printed Slovenian word is “stara prauiza” (old justice). The fight for it shaped the Slovenian national character – not the “Hayek café” or “multi-culti” culture. Commitment to eliminating the structural causes of poverty, while ensuring unconditional help to those in need, must be the highest social imperative. Slovenians have always respected this and condemned abuse. The kind of abuses committed by the current government, which exploits this Slovenian “obsession,” are unprecedented in our history. Worse than the communists, about whom even their own Ivan Maček – Matija shouted that they only steal and that theft is the purpose and goal of their regime.
As elections rapidly approach, we hear talk of who will go with whom to the polls and into government. But we do not hear about their goals. Even less about how they plan to win over the 400,000-strong confused electorate that knows it is searching for something, but does not know what. This product of post-independence Slovenian education and social sciences is the key question for Slovenia’s future. It needs a concrete, realistic, ambitious goal, not one that is lofty and only achievable in words. That goal is obvious. Why not say: Catch up to and surpass Austria, of which we were once a part! It needs to be made current. Hiding behind the term “developmental government” not only shows a lack of basic ideas, but also masks a plan to hatch a chick that does not grow into a hen that lays eggs, or a rooster that has offspring, but instead into a sterile, fat capon that is only good for the pot.