By: G. B.
Today marks the end of the mandate for Simon Savski, the Deputy President of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (CPC). As of tomorrow, he will be succeeded by Martina Divjak. Her initial tasks will include familiarising herself with the preventive and operational activities and business operations of the CPC, as well as continuing the proceedings against Prime Minister Robert Golob, as stated by the CPC to STA.
The Deputy President of CPC is appointed by the President of the Republic for a term of five years, with the possibility of being appointed twice consecutively.
A civil society activist joins CPC
President Nataša Pirc Musar first announced a public call for applications in February. Only one candidate applied, but the President did not proceed with the appointment. In April, a new call was issued, which received five applications. After the completion of the process, the President appointed Martina Divjak, a university-educated lawyer with extensive experience in the NGO sector, currently serving as the Advocacy Lead and Deputy Director of the Centre for Information, Cooperation, and Development of NGOs.
In her pre-appointment presentation at the Presidential Palace, Divjak emphasised the preventive fight against corruption and unfair practices. She also advocated for strengthening public communication and intensive work with officials. Among her first tasks will be getting acquainted with the preventive and operational activities and business operations of the CPC, and she will soon face her first senate decision. It is expected that one of the first meetings will address the senate’s decision to continue the investigation into the alleged pressures exerted by Prime Minister Golob on employees at the Ministry of the Interior, as stated by the CPC to STA.
Proceedings against Golob can continue
With the end of Simon Savski’s mandate, one of the reasons for suspending the CPC’s proceedings in the aforementioned case will become irrelevant. This case involved Prime Minister Robert Golob requesting Savski’s exclusion from the case. The CPC rejected his request, prompting Golob to appeal to the administrative court, which dismissed the appeal on procedural grounds. Both parties then appealed to the Supreme Court, which has yet to make a decision according to CPC information. The CPC will be able to resume its activities once the new senate is fully constituted, which is expected to happen shortly after the new senate member begins her term on August 1st, as explained by the CPC.
Another reason for the temporary suspension of the investigation by the CPC was the assessment by the Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office that the disclosure of parts of the case file, as requested by Golob, would harm the interests of the pre-trial procedure. However, on July 10th, the Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office informed the CPC that the reasons for which the CPC’S activities would harm the pre-trial procedure no longer existed.
The pre-trial procedure at the Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office is still ongoing, leading to speculation in the media about whether Prime Minister Golob might have already been questioned and informed of the allegations, thereby making the disclosure of the file no longer problematic. Golob’s office has not commented on the matter, and his defence attorney, Stojan Zdolšek, known from the brewery war almost twenty years ago, told POP TV and TV Slovenia that pre-trial procedures are confidential and thus never commented upon.
The case is related to accusations by former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar regarding Golob’s political interference in police work. As is known, Golob dismissed Bobnar, and Boštjan Poklukar, a familiar figure from the Šarec government, returned to her position.
Real expectations for the proceedings are fairly low, as Divjak is part of a network of NGOs generally in good standing with the transitional left.
Savski previously stirred controversy
About a year ago, Simon Savski, who comes from a police background, caused a scandal when, following an incident in which hooligans attacked police officers, he wrote on Facebook: “Just keep voting for Janša, and he, along with Hojs, will disperse everything with a water cannon and tear gas. I do not want such a leader.” This comment put President Pirc Musar in an awkward position. Savski had to explain himself to CPC President Robert Šumi but faced no consequences. A few months later, he again made controversial comments about the appointment of the new police director, calling it a “political mess”.