Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa presents his plans for the EU presidency in the European Parliament today. Over the next six months, the country will lead all councils and meetings, and thus help set the agenda. Many MEPs are skeptical about the plans. It therefore seems that Jansa has not been able to allay the concerns about the Slovenian presidency.
Jansa is mainly accused of weakening the rule of law and restricting press freedom in his own country. That was reason for four Slovenian demonstrators to travel to Strasbourg. They are in front of the European Parliament early in the morning. One of the protesters is even an opposition leader in Slovenia and he is deeply concerned about the situation in his country.
“We have come because we want to inform the European Parliament that the situation in Slovenia is bad and is getting worse every week,” said the politician, Jasa Jenull. He demonstrates weekly against the government, he says at a high price. “I have already received more than 10,000 euros in fines in the past year. I have spoken out publicly and have therefore been arrested several times.”
‘Nothing wrong’
But according to the Slovenian MEP and party colleague of Jansa, Romana Tomc, there is absolutely nothing wrong. “I don’t understand how your own country can make these accusations because all these accusations are… fake news. You can say and post whatever you want. Everything is possible.”
Nevertheless, there are serious concerns about Slovenia led by Jansa. The Slovenian Prime Minister is doing little to allay these concerns. Just last week, during a visit by European Commissioners, he showed a photo of two Slovenian judges who were in the picture with two socialist politicians. According to Jansa, the proof is that the judges cannot be independent. For Frans Timmermans it was a reason not to take a picture with Jansa. A rude reaction, says MEP Tomc. “He tried to make it a point to profile himself, but there’s nothing to worry about.”
According to the Dutch VVD MEP Malik Azmani, the concerns about Jansa are justified. “I don’t believe at all in how he presents himself here. He acts as if nothing is wrong, but I am seriously concerned”
Balkan countries to the EU
Jansa received many questions in the European Parliament today about the state of the Slovenian rule of law and freedom of the press. He obviously preferred to talk about something else. He hopes to establish himself as a ‘bridge builder’ over the next six months, he said.
For example, the Slovenian Prime Minister wants the Balkan countries to be offered the prospect of joining the EU. Many Western European countries are not keen on this, but Slovenia will now have it on the agenda as EU president. Jansa has already announced that there will be a summit in October, at which the heads of government of the six Balkan countries will also be present.
The coming months will show whether Jansa is able to allay the concerns within the EU and realize his ambition as a bridge builder.
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