Dr. Turk on the Golobu baskets: This is the best gift for the Janševa government

Former Prime Minister Robert Golob announced on September 13, the 100th day of Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government, the formation of a shadow cabinet. His proposal for allied parties to join his initiative ended abruptly with two refusals. The goal of this future-oriented team, Golob stated, is to begin offering concrete policy proposals immediately upon its launch, serving as an alternative to the current government's agenda. He expressed confidence that these prepared measures would gain public approval and provide a solid foundation for the country’s future development. Golob presented the opportunity for collaboration to representatives of the Social Democrats (SD), Left, and Preroda. He envisioned taking over coordination himself. According to reports, SD indicated they do not need frameworks dictated by one political party. They emphasized that Freedom Movement is not the only force capable of leading Slovenia. In Preroda, Vladimir Prebilic reportedly stated that since they were not part of the previous government, they do not see themselves as part of a shadow government under Freedom Movement leadership. They noted that the opposition's role includes preparing better, professionally grounded solutions rather than just criticizing the ruling party, which does not require a shadow government. Instead, they argue knowledge, political will, and willingness to work are essential. The Left, however, showed some hesitation regarding participation in the manner proposed. Their decision will be made through internal party organs, likely by the end of summer. Political analyst, writer, professor, and dean of the First Year at the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Dr. Boštjan M. Turk, commented on the situation Golob finds himself in. He described the developments as the best gift Golob could receive as prime minister, personally and politically, indicating that the groundwork for a coalition of 66 votes necessary for urgent reforms in Slovenia’s path toward normalization and dismantling past party-state monopolies has begun. This news, according to Turk, is catastrophic for Milan Kučan. SD clearly understands that a chapter has closed. Turk recalled predicting previously that the Slovenian left would fail to repeat its mandate. From this lesson, he claims, they have learned nothing. He argues that no totalitarian system, as this transitional left essentially is, ever learns anything from mistakes. It collapsed, just as the transitional left or its largest part, Freedom, is collapsing now because it simply collapsed inwardly. Turk assessed that SD's refusal to join is rational, a path to survival. He found it equally rational that the Left is still considering joining, meaning Golob remains alone. This implies the process of internal deconstruction within Freedom will continue. Soon, he believes, no one else will agree with the policies led by Freedom Party leader Golob, and the number of supporters of the current government will increase. Just as Janez Janša was elected with one vote, which Turk estimates came from Freedom, not the Left, and not from Matjaž Han, who he believes lacks the courage for bold moves, which he has never done. He predicts more votes from Freedom will shift to support the current government. “This is the best gift for the prime minister on the anniversary of the first 100 days of the government and also for his birthday,” he emphasized. He criticized Golob’s move, along with all his other actions, as deeply childish, reflecting a character unsuitable for leadership. It shows that Golob puts himself absolutely in the spotlight. He reminded that the Left had the option to form a government independently, proposing someone else as head of government instead of Golob. This was obviously unacceptable to Golob and ended as such.