By: Gašper Blažič
Do Slovenians really have such a low level of self-confidence that every wrong word bothers us? Do we too often settle for mediocrity? These are the questions that constantly echo in the background of otherwise trivial political events in our country.
In the previous issue of Demokracija, we presented a recent discussion evening on the 35th anniversary of Demos and the possibilities that, with this model of political cooperation, a political alternative could take power and implement the necessary reforms. We also wrote about the internal pressure within the NSi due to blackmailing from the Gibanje Svoboda party. This article was then used by European Parliament member and NSi leader Matej Tonin on the X network as evidence of a supposed conspiracy involving the SDS together with the Gibanje Svoboda against the NSi. However, one thing is clear: insinuations about commissioned articles are completely unfounded; the author of these lines, which you are reading, did not receive any instructions “from above” for writing the article. Such a response more clearly points to a tremendous lack of self-confidence. Whether there is an attempt in the background to hold Tonin in check and possibly remove him from the position of NSi leader is something we can only speculate about. However, this state of affairs is indeed the biggest obstacle to establishing a real alternative to the transitional plunderers in power through cooperation.
No Slovenian should be average
However, let us put aside Slovenian political squabbles for a moment and recall an event that at first glance seems somewhat marginal, but in reality, is far more significant than it appears. Retired Ljubljana Archbishop Cardinal Franc Rode was the guest at a discussion evening at the Saint Stanislaus Institute last week, specifically in the library of Dr Anton Breznik (who was his maternal uncle). His responses were reminiscent of a rather firmly presented lecture he had given in the main hall of the Institute back in 1996 for all the students of the Škofijska Classical High School – at that time, he was not yet an archbishop but was serving as the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, led at the time by the still-living Cardinal Paul Poupard. Even almost 30 years later, Cardinal Rode had not lost his characteristic “aristocratic” tone, often recalling his return to Slovenia after twenty years of exile (including eight years in Paris). Among other things, he stated: “The only thing that saves us is greatness. The only thing that justifies us – otherwise, we are rubbish, unnecessary. Everyone comes into the world with some capital. Each of you has within you wealth that must be awakened, developed, and enriched. Year after year. So that you become the wealthiest individuals in all areas – science, faith, professional work… Do not be afraid to be extraordinary. Do not be sheep, moving anonymously in herds. Each of you must realise your uniqueness. You live only once, and this time is precious. Seize the opportunities you have; enrich yourselves and give yourselves the joy of a broad, rich inner, intellectual life by enriching your education and spirituality. This is your calling! Do not live a life without shine, brilliance, and true meaning, which will not even bring you joy. One screw is missing that should tighten you so you can wake up. Live intensely, strongly, deeply, richly, not in shallowness! What a rich life you could live if you woke up and learned to listen to the purest inner voice, God’s voice within you – so that you may live a rich life. This is your calling. No Slovenian has the right to be average! There are too few of us.”
Lack of self-confidence and the tending to one’s own backyard
Regardless of what one thinks about Cardinal Rode – some Catholics criticised him for associating too much with Ivan Zidar and Milan Kučan, as well as his allegedly unjust stance toward victims of sexual abuse within church structures – in this case, he hit the nail on the head. Probably two things shaped his views: his years in exile, living in the “aristocratic” Paris, and confronting the rather miserable state of Slovenian identity in 1965 when he returned to the homeland, first becoming a pastor in the Parish of Saint Joseph in Celje, and later a professor of basic theology at the Ljubljana Theological Faculty. One thing is clear: it is precisely this lack of self-confidence, even in Slovenian political life – in 1996, Rode pointed out the significant deficit in our representative infrastructure, for example, regarding national symbols, the presidential residence, etc. – that causes major problems, especially for those who should represent the alternative to the legacy of the communist party. As a result, energy is often wasted in “tending to one’s own backyard”.
How Tonin fell into cynicism
Perhaps this is also the deeper reason for the new tensions between Matej Tonin and Janez Janša. Tonin relied on an article in Demokracija we published last week, and wrote: “We do not trust Golob, and we will not make constitutional changes with him a year before the elections. However, this is not a problem for JJ and the SDS. The cooperation that was previously behind the scenes is now moving into the open.” Janša then reminded him that there are several proposals for constitutional changes and that, commendably, NSi has renounced the most contentious ones, such as the secret appointment of judges and the electoral system, which would marginalise rural areas. However, the SDS supported the constitutional change for a faster government appointment. This was followed by Tonin’s cynical remark: “Janez, good luck with coordinating constitutional changes with Robert Golob. May you succeed!” Janša replied: “You proposed all the constitutional changes together with the Gibanje Svoboda when you were still not in the opposition. Three are strategically harmful to Slovenia. One of the four can be upgraded to something useful. We can try this together, or you can continue voting against your own proposal. Both are better than having the basic text of the change accepted. We prevailed with reasonable principled conduct in both cases.” Tonin continued with cynicism, even predicting the future: “Janez, excellent! When you reconcile the first constitutional change with Golob, you will reconsider the rest. You have enough votes and work well together, so you will not need others.”
We will, of course, report on possible constitutional changes in the upcoming issues of Demokracija.