By: Tanja Brkić
Slovenia is facing growing political and economic uncertainty, exposing the weaknesses of the current government. The referendum defeat, which clearly demonstrated the people’s lack of trust in the authorities, is just the tip of the iceberg. The voice of the people was unambiguous: the current government does not have public support, and its projects are collapsing like a house of cards.
The media law championed by Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko has met a dismal end. After heated debates and criticism from both the left and the right, the bill has seemingly reached the end of its legislative journey. The workers’ coalition has also risen in opposition, strongly rejecting the proposed pension reform. Damjan Volf, president of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Slovenia, emphasised: “40 years of work is enough! Slovenian workers retire worn out, exhausted, ill, and with a pension that is far too low.” The unions are demanding amendments to the law and have announced they will begin collecting signatures for a referendum after May 30th, 2025, if changes are not made.
Economic troubles are further burdening the government. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS), Slovenia’s GDP shrank by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2025 – the first annual decline since the COVID crisis. A report by the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (UMAR) warns that low productivity threatens the quality of life in Slovenia, further deepening public dissatisfaction. While GDP is growing in the eurozone and the EU, Slovenia is lagging behind, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the government’s economic policies.
Following the referendum defeat, “civil society” has returned to its role as a government advocate, reinforcing the perception that these actors serve as an extension of those in power. However, none of this can conceal the fact that the government is facing increasing resistance. From failed reforms to economic decline – all signs point to an ignominious, even disastrous, end for the current administration.
