By: Dr Metod Berlec
Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, ought to be a symbol of European orderliness, transparency, and honest governance. Instead, it has long been a stage for Balkan-style dealings, where political influence, corruption, and nepotism intertwine.
At the centre of these stories stands Ljubljana’s mayor, Zoran Janković – a man many see as the embodiment of systemic corruption. In this issue of Demokracija, we devote our main focus to him. For more than a decade he has been burdened with investigations, accusations, and court proceedings, yet these almost always end without conclusion or with acquittal. Rather than law enforcement doing its job, proceedings are halted due to alleged lack of evidence, procedural errors, or political pressure. The result is clear: a man who should long ago have been held accountable before the courts still runs the Slovenian capital and behaves like an untouchable mafia boss. Under Robert Golob’s government, Janković visibly pulls strings from behind the scenes. Golob, once a member of his party, often finds himself in situations where it is obvious that the notorious Ljubljana mayor is the one steering many government decisions.
Were Slovenia’s police, prosecutors, and judiciary functioning as they should, Janković would likely already be behind bars. Allegations of pressure on officials, dubious sponsorship contracts, influence over building permits, and the write-off of millions in family debts are far too serious to be brushed aside. Yet because proceedings are repeatedly halted, Janković continues to enjoy privileges ordinary citizens can only dream of. His infamous words, spoken in 2014 on Croatian television, still echo as a cynical reminder. Asked whether he feared being convicted and ending up in prison, Janković replied: “Not a chance. All these years I have been the greatest opponent of Janez Janša’s politics in the executive sphere.” In other words, he confidently predicted he would never be convicted in Slovenia. And indeed, he has not been. Undoubtedly also because of his friendships with the last party boss, Milan Kučan, and even with Supreme Court president Miodrag Đorđević, who symbolises everything wrong with Slovenia’s judiciary. Fortunately, Đorđević is retiring at the end of the year, having reached 70, when his judicial function will cease.
It is clear that Janković’s Balkan‑mafia mindset and conduct exceed all normal European political, ethical, and legal standards, making him a burden for the ruling transitional left. Just as Golob’s egocentric, authoritarian, and content‑empty conduct does. This is undoubtedly an opportunity for the opposition under SDS leadership to present itself to the public as an alternative. SDS president Janez Janša is well aware of this, which is why he is touring Slovenia with his vision of a “coalition with the voters.” A vision of a normal, European, democratic Slovenia.
