Maybe it's not so obvious that Ljubljana is left-center

In Slovenia, political tensions have reached new heights as coalition negotiations remain stalled without the involvement of Prime Minister Janez Janša, according to political analyst Brejc. The situation has further escalated with allegations against former president Borut Pahor’s chief of staff, Boris Mijič, and statements by Zoran Stevanović, leader of the opposition party Slovenian People's Party (Resnica), suggesting potential diplomatic moves toward Russia. These developments have intensified the already volatile political climate ahead of local elections and upcoming referendums. The summer months were marked by intense political maneuvering, with the ruling coalition and Resnica using procedural tactics to block the establishment of parliamentary committees investigating the Black Cube scandal and regional funding irregularities. This strategy was employed twice, effectively delaying transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Mijič continued to grow, while Stevanović hinted at possible visits to Moscow, raising concerns over foreign policy alignment. Additionally, the traffic accident involving President Nataša Pirc Musar became another focal point of public scrutiny, further complicating the political landscape. Political commentator Umetnost možnega, led by Starič, notes that this period of heightened tension marks the beginning of what she calls “the politically hot autumn.” With local elections approaching, the atmosphere is charged with polarization and uncertainty. Multiple referendums, both consultative and legislative, are being proposed, which will likely intensify public engagement in the coming months. Starič anticipates increased efforts from both sides of the political spectrum to mobilize voters, even though she acknowledges that not all referendums will proceed as planned. Despite these challenges, Starič believes that the proliferation of referendums could actually benefit the governing coalition, which has itself proposed three advisory referendums. She argues that such initiatives can serve as a tool for maintaining public support and reinforcing the government’s mandate. However, she also warns that the sheer volume of referendums might lead to voter confusion and apathy, particularly among those who find it difficult to distinguish between competing political agendas. According to her, many citizens may ultimately decide based on their alignment with either the government or its opponents, rather than the specific issues at hand. Meanwhile, the ongoing controversies continue to overshadow routine governance. While the government has accelerated personnel changes within key institutions such as the State Administration Office (SDH) and the National Agency for Public Services (DARS), the focus remains on managing the fallout from recent scandals. Starič points out that these incidents have not yet been fully resolved, and they are likely to influence future political dynamics, especially as presidential elections approach. She criticizes the current response from Pirc Musar, arguing that her initial reaction was inadequate and that her retreat from the issue has allowed the narrative to spread uncontrollably through social media. Regarding Mijič, Starič suggests that his resignation will depend heavily on how the public perceives his actions in light of other scandals. She emphasizes that there is no expectation of him stepping down before October, meaning that Resnica will retain its parliamentary representation. The political maneuvers, including the coalition’s rejection of parliamentary inquiry sessions and the opposition’s push for a referendum on the dissolution of certain institutions, highlight the deepening divide between the two factions. As the political season progresses, the interplay between internal party struggles, external pressures, and public sentiment will shape the trajectory of Slovenia’s political future. The coming weeks will test the resilience of both the governing coalition and the opposition, with the outcome potentially influencing not just immediate political outcomes but long-term stability in the country.