By: Nova24tv.si
Robert Golob announced today at the Freedom Movement press conference the establishment of an alternative government, which will evidently become the main political outpost of the deep state.
Slovenia is getting a “shadow government”. Although it sounds like the name of some secret criminal organisation of antagonists from American superhero films, it is in fact a new project of the opposition led by Robert Golob. He announced the formation of a shadow government at today’s press conference, where he began by claiming that the former left‑wing government had received “the greatest trust of voters” in this year’s elections. This is, of course, not true, since the new coalition under Janez Janša, including Resnica, received more votes than the left‑wing parties. Nevertheless, Golob insists that Slovenia needs an alternative to the current government, and he will act as the alternative prime minister, or as the leader and coordinator of the shadow cabinet.
The shadow government will begin operating on 13 September, the hundredth day of the current government’s term, Golob said. Its purpose, he claims, is “to start presenting concrete substantive proposals as an alternative to what the current government is doing.” Under Golob’s leadership, it will prepare measures that, in his words, “will lay the foundations for Slovenia’s future development and a better future for all of us.” Given Slovenia’s experience with the previous government, this does not sound particularly convincing. Even more interesting is that this “shadow government”, which Golob quickly began referring to simply as “the government”, will focus precisely on the areas that the previous left‑wing government handled most poorly. According to Golob, it will concentrate on six fields: social security and the elderly; the future of young people and housing; the public healthcare system; public finances, the economy, competitiveness; infrastructure and energy; and Slovenia at home and abroad.
When asked who will be part of this new group, whose name sounds like a synonym for the deep state, Golob said that, in addition to members of the Freedom Movement and other left‑wing parties of the previous coalition, all “progressive‑minded and free‑thinking experts and politicians” will be invited. Despite its name, free‑thinking was not exactly a high priority for the Freedom Movement while it was in power. Nevertheless, Golob now presents himself again as a defender of freedom and openness. The “government” will also include “apolitical experts”. By 13 September, expert committees will be formed, and later Golob and his associates will collect substantive proposals in a so‑called “white paper”. Golob appears quite confident, given his position, stating that “when our time comes, we will implement these proposals.”
Asked whether they expect the current coalition to support any of their proposals, he responded rather arrogantly: “We are not concerned with that; we want to address citizens directly through dialogue,” sounding as if he were imitating the Slovenian Democratic Party’s pre‑election campaign focused on a “coalition with voters”. He also vaguely stated that the shadow government would not be a typical opposition, but would focus on preparing “better solutions”.
Golob also commented on the proposal for a national demographic fund, which he personally considers poor, saying it is “a very bad attempt at merging institutions that do not belong together”. On the other hand, it seems that behind the “shadow government” and his talk of an alternative lie further attempts to undermine the current conservative government and consolidate left‑wing forces seeking to maintain their influence.
