By: Ana Horvat (Nova24tv.si)
After the resignation statement of Minister of Health Danijel Bešič Loredan, Robert Golob’s government needs a reconstruction and replacement of at least some more ministers. First in line are those who are facing accusations of illegal construction, an unjustified trip to China with our money, and the return of a monetary award to Svetlana Makarovič.
Although Prime Minister Robert Golob recently indicated his support for his Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Danijel Bešič Loredan, he forced him to submit a resignation statement on Friday, which he had to sign in a humiliating manner. This unexpected manoeuvre is easier to understand when we consider the scandals that have recently emerged around three ministers of Golob’s government: Minister of Infrastructure Alenka Bratušek, Minister of Digital Transformation Emilija Stojmenova Duh, and Minister of Culture Astra Vrečko.
Media protection keeps them afloat
Because the ministers enjoy complete media protection, many people are unaware that there are far more improprieties within the ministerial ranks than meets the eye. Since the highest politicians in the country should serve as an example of exemplary behaviour to citizens, it is unacceptable for someone who has been involved in illegal construction to hold the position of Minister of Infrastructure. The proof of this is Bratušek’s statement given to the public broadcaster RTVS when they prepared a short report on her illegal construction near Kranj. When asked about the legalisation of the building, she replied, “It is now legalised according to the new regulations.” When asked since when, she answered, “Yes, since this year,” as if disregarding laws was nothing out of the ordinary (more on this here). During her tenure as Prime Minister, she indeed welcomed the departure of the then-Minister of Infrastructure, Igor Maher, after only five days due to illegal construction. But it seems that the perception of an act, which should serve as an example, is different when it concerns herself.
Traveling to China with our money
Equally unseemly was the news of how Stojmenova Duh discussed and networked in China at the expense of taxpayers’ money. In this case, it was a forum that had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the Minister of Digital Transformation’s work area, and the meeting was not related to government work either. Požareport revealed that Slovenian taxpayers paid €4,100 for the minister’s trip. The ministry even explained that the travel expenses (flight tickets and accommodation) were covered by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, while all other incurred expenses were covered by the organiser. Although this involved taxpayers’ money, it was not reported pompously as it was, for example, in the case of the former Minister of Agriculture, Aleksandra Pivec, where the media questioned how many free slices of prosciutto and glasses of wine, she indulged in.
€15,000 for a rejected prize after 22 years
Similarly, the mainstream media, leaning toward the left, did not even mention the alleged transfers by Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko from the coalition party Levica. As we have already reported, she allegedly transferred (public) money to the once-popular children’s writer Svetlana Makarovič outside of procedures and regulations. The amount in question is €15,000, specifically a cash prize that Makarovič rejected in 2000 but then demanded back 22 years later.
Because the government trio enjoys the protection of those who helped elect Golob’s government with the help of the so-called “civil society”, matters that are detrimental to it are not problematised, even though it would be in the public interest to do so. If it were members of the previous government, we can be sure that the news would be presented prominently and in the main reports. But because there is freedom, everything is different, and the standards are different too. It is counted on the fact that the reporting by a small number of media outlets that are a thorn in the side of the authorities will fade away, and parliamentary recess is approaching, which further aids them in censorship, making the mission of sacrificing Bešič Loredan for the “greater good” successful.