Jan Zobec: The referendum initiative to remove Stevanović is a subversion of the democratic process of electing the President of the National Assembly
The article discusses political maneuvering by the transitional leftist faction targeting Zoran Stevanović, the president of the National Council. They have demanded his resignation due to dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government. Various actions were taken, including submitting a constitutional complaint and attempting to remove him from office. A petition led by former politician Brejc, likely in collaboration with three opposition parties, has initiated a consultative referendum to question whether the National Council should dismiss Stevanović. Legal experts, including former Supreme Court Justice Jan Zobec, argue that these efforts lack direction and legitimacy. The petition was later found to include fake signatures, including those of Vladimir Putin and fabricated names. After the petition was withdrawn, an alternative petition was launched by influential internet figure Aleksandar Repić. Three opposition parties then proposed a consultative referendum, which would not have legal effect. Critics argue such measures undermine democratic processes and could lead to further erosion of democracy.
Former SDS Deputy President Files Petition Against Stevanović On August 21, 2026, former deputy president of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), Miha Brejc, announced his decision to lead a petition demanding the resignation of Zoran Stevanović, the current head of the National Assembly. The move has sparked widespread discussion, with many viewing it as a direct challenge to the political right wing, particularly to Prime Minister Janez Janša and his party. Brejc, who once served as the chief of Slovenia’s intelligence service (then known as VIS), has long been a vocal critic of the ruling conservative forces. His recent actions have drawn attention due to their potential implications beyond mere political dissent. The petition, which Brejc claims is aimed at raising public awareness about constitutional principles, calls for respect for the constitution and the Constitutional Court. He argues that citizens must uphold these institutions while politicians appear to disregard them. “We must inform the public,” Brejc told journalist Manica Janežič Ambrožič during an interview on TV Slovenia. “The constitution must be respected. The Constitutional Court must be respected. Citizens expect us to follow the law, yet they break it.” The petition's deeper motivation, however, lies in the alleged failure to establish a parliamentary commission to investigate the activities of the Israeli intelligence agency Black Cube. Brejc asserts that this omission is linked to the controversial involvement of Gioro Eiland, one of Israel’s most powerful figures and architect of the Gaza operation that some describe as genocide. According to Brejc, Eiland was brought into Slovenia under the influence of certain political circles, suggesting a broader pattern of foreign interference in domestic affairs. While the petition appears to target Janša’s right-wing faction, Brejc insists it ultimately points to one individual, Janez Janša himself. This claim is rooted in Brejc’s belief that Janša has historically aligned with individuals and policies that undermine national sovereignty. Brejc, who has previously worked alongside former president Jože Pučnik, draws a parallel between their approaches, arguing that Janša’s actions contradict the values of state integrity. Brejc’s stance reflects a growing tension within Slovenian politics, where traditional democratic norms are increasingly challenged by authoritarian tendencies. The situation has parallels with past years, such as the period between 2020 and 2022, when similar divisions emerged. During that time, political leaders from different factions found themselves divided over ideological differences, even as they faced external pressures. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Stevanović deepened after reports surfaced that he had engaged in secret communications with Vladimir Volodin, a high-ranking official in the Russian parliament. These exchanges, captured in a leaked audio recording obtained exclusively by the Israeli intelligence agency Black Cube, reveal a troubling level of coordination between Slovenian and Russian officials. In the conversation, Stevanović refers to Janša as a figure who has lost his way, aligning with far-right leaders like Viktor Orbán and Aleksandar Vučić while simultaneously opposing Russia. Stevanović, in turn, suggests that Janša’s alignment with Moscow could be beneficial for Russia, especially given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He implies that Janša might help stabilize relations between the two nations, despite his public criticism of Russian aggression. The dialogue highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries shaping Slovenian politics, with Stevanović seemingly positioning himself as a key player in international diplomacy. This dynamic has led to sharp criticisms from opposition figures, including Luka Mesec, who accused Stevanović of acting in interests other than those of Slovenia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Janša has remained largely silent, despite being directly implicated in the discussions. His silence has fueled speculation about his role in the unfolding political drama. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on whether Brejc’s petition will gain enough support to force a change in leadership or whether it will remain a symbolic gesture. What is clear, however, is that the lines between domestic politics and international intrigue are becoming increasingly blurred, with consequences that extend well beyond Slovenia’s borders.
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The article discusses concerns over the validity of a petition organized by Miha Brejc, which collected over 70,000 signatures calling for the resignation of State Assembly President Zoran Stevanović. The petition was criticized for allowing anonymous submissions, enabling users to input any name multiple times, making it impossible to verify the authenticity of the signatures. When Brejc paused the collection, he claimed that an algorithm identified thousands of duplicate entries from Israel and India, which were then removed. However, questions remain about how the origin of these signatures was determined, the functionality of the algorithm, and whether the claims of verification were accurate, especially since the form did not check email addresses or identity. The article also raises doubts about whether Brejc acted alone or if there was external support, noting that he has claimed to have expertise in information technology and AI but has not provided clear evidence of his involvement.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the petition as a legitimate democratic action while questioning the integrity of the process. It highlights the lack of verification mechanisms and suggests potential manipulation, which aligns more with a critical stance toward authority figures like Stevanović. The emphasis on
Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the technical flaws in the petition, such as the lack of identity verification and the possibility of multiple submissions from the same user. It also mentions the withdrawal of the petition after the discovery of signatures from Israel and India. Thes
Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'skrivnostni algoritem' ('secret algorithm') and 'nepoverjen' ('untrustworthy'), which introduces bias. It also raises questions about the legitimacy of the petition without providing balanced perspectives from all sides involved.
The article discusses concerns raised by President of the National Council Zoran Stevanović regarding the credibility of a petition demanding his resignation or replacement. He criticizes the petition as amateurishly created and fraudulent, noting that it lacks proper verification of signatures, IP addresses, and compliance with GDPR and personal data protection laws. The article highlights that the petition includes signatures from individuals like Jesus Christ, Miki Miska, and Vladimir Putin, which raises questions about its legitimacy. It also mentions that the Information Commissioner has initiated proceedings due to these violations.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the petition as fraudulent and lacking credibility, aligning with skepticism toward opposition efforts. It emphasizes legal violations and questionable signature validity, suggesting a right-leaning perspective that distrusts grassroots movements or alternative voices challenging
Why factuality (80): The article accurately describes concerns over the amateurish nature of the petition and mentions legal issues such as GDPR violations. It cites an unnamed official who initiated a procedure related to the petition. While these points are plausible, they are not independently verified, and the artic
Why objectivity (60): The article has a clear bias against the petition, using strong language like 'goljufiv način' ('deceptive manner') and implying wrongdoing without evidence. It also includes unverified claims about the involvement of journalists and media figures, which undermines its neutrality.
The article discusses political maneuvering by the transitional leftist faction targeting Zoran Stevanović, the president of the National Council. They have demanded his resignation due to dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government. Various actions were taken, including submitting a constitutional complaint and attempting to remove him from office. A petition led by former politician Brejc, likely in collaboration with three opposition parties, has initiated a consultative referendum to question whether the National Council should dismiss Stevanović. Legal experts, including former Supreme Court Justice Jan Zobec, argue that these efforts lack direction and legitimacy. The petition was later found to include fake signatures, including those of Vladimir Putin and fabricated names. After the petition was withdrawn, an alternative petition was launched by influential internet figure Aleksandar Repić. Three opposition parties then proposed a consultative referendum, which would not have legal effect. Critics argue such measures undermine democratic processes and could lead to further erosion of democracy.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of the opposition as legitimate democratic responses against perceived authoritarianism, while dismissing the legitimacy of the petition process and questioning the motives behind the referendum proposal. It emphasizes the need for direct democracy and criticizes the '
Why factuality (65): The article reports on political maneuvering around the potential removal of Zoran Stevanović from his position as head of state assembly. It references legal actions such as constitutional complaints and petitions, but does not provide specific dates or official sources for these claims. The mentio
Why objectivity (55): The tone leans towards criticism of the left-wing opposition's tactics, using terms like 'subversion of democratic process' and suggesting the petition was manipulated. The article presents the political conflict through a biased lens, favoring the current government's stance while questioning the l
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