By: Vida Kocjan
Under the leadership of Senad Jušić and Boštjan Poklukar, issues of police security and efficiency are surfacing. The police have not adequately responded to the escalating security problems so far. Both face numerous accusations of political responsibility, and therefore, both should have already resigned.
Senad Jušić, the General Director of Police, was appointed based on a decision that the Administrative Court deemed illegal. Insufficient documentation, which fails to demonstrate Jušić’s clear professional experience, was a key reason for the ruling. Nevertheless, the decision was not annulled, as the court ruled that such an action would exceed its jurisdiction. Jušić is thus clinging to his position, which has sparked a wave of criticism regarding political influence in the appointment process. Poklukar’s impartiality is also under serious question. Nepotism is another issue we are witnessing.
At the centre of criticism
The appointment of Senad Jušić as General Director of Police has triggered a wave of dissatisfaction and accusations of politicisation of Slovenian institutions. Despite a final ruling by the Administrative Court, which declared the appointment decision unlawful, Jušić remains at the helm of the police. The Minister of the Interior, Boštjan Poklukar, responsible for the appointment, firmly defends his decision. Both are at the centre of calls for resignation, coming from both political circles and the professional public.
Unlawfulness of the appointment: What does the court say?
The Administrative Court found that the decision of the special selection committee, which awarded Jušić the position, does not contain clear and verifiable data on the fulfilment of conditions. The issue of work experience was particularly problematic, as the documentation failed to provide a convincing explanation of compliance with legal requirements. This raised the question of whether the selection process was based on professional criteria at all.
What does this mean? Although the court’s ruling did not overturn the appointment, it clearly indicated that the procedure was not in line with legal standards. Legal experts have warned that such an appointment undermines the credibility of the police and erodes public trust.
The role of Boštjan Poklukar: Responsibility and protection
Poklukar played a key role in Jušić’s appointment, as the minister approved the unlawful decision of the committee. Instead of reacting to the ruling and initiating a new process, he downplayed the court’s decision and kept Jušić in the position. Critics argue that Poklukar protected a political decision, which casts doubt on his impartiality.
Why does Poklukar not act? His defence relies on the argument of political discretion, but this only increases the impression of politicisation of key state functions. Such conduct is unacceptable in the eyes of the opposition and the public.
The direct responsibility for Jušić’s appointment thus falls on Boštjan Poklukar, the Minister of the Interior. Critics point out that Poklukar protected Jušić instead of overturning the decision and reopening the selection process. Legal experts recommend a new call for applications to ensure transparency and professionalism in selecting police leadership. However, Poklukar firmly stands by his decision. At least, this was the case until the time this article went to print.
Poklukar refers to the selection committee, which gave Jušić a positive evaluation before the appointment. The chairman of the selection committee that reviewed and approved Jušić’s candidacy for General Director of Police was Andrej Verhovnik Marovšek, president of the Civil Service Council. The committee should have performed its duties in accordance with valid procedures, but it was later found that the decision lacked sufficient explanation, which the Administrative Court labelled a procedural violation. The selection committee reviewed the candidacies of Boštjan Lindav and Senad Jušić. The names of committee members have not been publicly disclosed, but it is known that the committee operated according to the rules of the Civil Service Council.
Consequences for public trust
The Jušić-Poklukar affair has further undermined trust in the impartiality of state institutions. The police, as one of the key pillars of the rule of law, must enjoy high public legitimacy. The unlawful appointment of the General Director sends the message that political interests prevail over professionalism, which is dangerous for democratic standards.
What do experts and the opposition say?
Experts are calling for the decision to be annulled and a new call for applications. A fair and transparent appointment is essential to restore trust. The opposition parties (SDS and NSi) are also demanding accountability from those involved and stress that such practices must not become the norm. An interpellation has been filed against Minister Boštjan Poklukar, who is evidently failing to fulfil his ministerial duties.
We are also witnessing nepotism
However, the unlawful appointment of the General Director of Police is not the only issue that can be attributed to Jušić and Poklukar. It is widely known that not everything in the police force is as it should be. We also spoke about this with former General Director of Police, Dr Anton Olaj.
We are also witnessing nepotism, which has no place in the police. Senad Jušić has a brother, Sejad, also employed in the police, who, according to the latest publicly available information, is being positioned as an attaché in Belgrade. Rumours are also increasingly circulating that Senad himself might soon be appointed attaché in Zagreb. Poklukar has denied this, but we will see what happens.
Violations at the Celje rally
Last week, we also witnessed a protest rally in Celje in support of Janez Janša, the president of the Slovenian Democratic Party. During the police intervention at the protest, police officer Matjaž Bratina stood out. Due to his connections to the radical Levica party and his past participation in protests against Janša, doubts about his impartiality had already surfaced. His actions at the Celje rally further confirmed these doubts.
Mafia settlements
In recent days, Slovenia has also been shaken by the murder of protected witness or safeguarded individual Satko Zovko (formerly Kekić) in the case of the Slovenian cell of the Kavač Clan, where court proceedings against the group are still ongoing. Zovko had been proposed as a witness in several cases against criminal organisations, which, according to some sources, may have been connected to the motive for his assassination. The police have labelled the event a mafia settlement and claim that the murdered Zovko (Kekić) was not a protected witness, but several sources point to the opposite. This has also raised suspicions that the police are deliberately concealing the truth. It has also emerged that the murdered Zovko recently received a Slovenian passport during the current government’s tenure. The police have yet to explain what evidence and recommendations led to this and when it happened.
Jušić and Poklukar must resign
The Jušić case is a symbol of the broader problem of the politicisation of public administration. Experts warn that to restore trust, it is essential for both Jušić and Poklukar to resign, and for the call for the General Director of Police to be repeated with transparency and professionalism at its core.
The public and legal experts emphasise that both officials must take responsibility for the situation, as the public deserves leaders who act in accordance with the law and ethical standards.