By: Assembly for the Republic
Europe experienced rapid technological development in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which brought about a profound social transformation and military conflicts. This led to a crisis in European civilisation and the emergence of totalitarian systems: communism, fascism, and Nazism, which were to dominate Europe and the world.
Although they differ from one another, their methods of seizing power and ways of governing were identical. The violent seizure of power was followed by the enthronement of great leaders, such as Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler, Tito, etc. They ensured absolute obedience from their fellow citizens through violent methods of persecution against all those unwilling to follow them submissively. They relied on terror, secret police, mass executions, concentration camps, and fabricated political trials. Totalitarian systems plunged Europe and the rest of the world into the horrors of World War II, which in 1945 transitioned into the Cold War and ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communist regimes in Europe.
To overcome the horrific consequences, many supported the strengthening of democracy and individual freedom. The establishment of the European Union as a union of democratic states was an encouragement in this regard. Through this, democratic Europe clearly defined itself and distanced itself from all forms of totalitarianism, which are unacceptable for the democratic world.
On April 2nd, 2009, the European Parliament adopted the resolution European Consciousness and Totalitarianism decisively. With this, it condemned all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, explicitly communism, fascism, and Nazism. Simultaneously with the adoption of this resolution, the European Parliament urged all parliaments of member states to confirm this resolution as proof of their commitment to democratic norms, the equality of all citizens, and European civilisation. It is clear that the European Parliament expects the governments and parliaments of the member states to integrate this resolution into their legal-political framework and to follow its principles in their political activities. All member state parliaments have done this, except for Slovenia. Moreover, the current coalition has proposed a Law against the Glorification of Nazism and Fascism, which represents a clear deviation from the condemnation of all totalitarianisms established in democratic Europe, including communism.
Therefore, the Assembly for the Republic calls upon the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia to rectify this oversight as soon as possible by confirming the resolution of the European Parliament, thereby ensuring an equal stance towards all totalitarianisms. At the same time, it encourages Slovenian voters to support this and to demand that their representatives unequivocally commit to democracy and humanity.
For the Assembly for the Republic, 20.10.2024
Janez Remškar
