Janša: The saga of the appointment of Fajon is over

Prime Minister Janez Janša has declared the saga surrounding the nomination of Tanja Fajon as the European Union's special representative for the Sahel region to be over. In a statement, he referenced a report from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MZEZ) regarding the proposed appointment, clarifying that the controversy around Fajon’s candidacy was not due to her being nominated by an entity lacking full authority, but rather because the competent authority had not made a decision on her candidacy or nomination at all. The ministry noted that the nomination of the former foreign minister was submitted not by the government led by Robert Golob, which held current responsibilities, but by the general secretary of MZEZ, who was directly subordinate to Fajon. The ministry described this as “clearly acting outside or beyond legal jurisdictions and authorities,” according to a report reviewed by the government on Friday. Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer reportedly informed the high-ranking EU foreign policy representative Kadri Kallas of these concerns based on unofficial information from the State Department. Kajzer is said to have stated that Fajon does not enjoy the support of the Slovenian government for the position. He also expressed expectations that the stance of the member state most affected by the issue would be taken into account during further consideration within the EU Council. Kallas selected Fajon for the role of EU special representative for the Sahel at the end of June. Her appointment must still be confirmed by the member states represented in the EU Council. However, complications arose two weeks ago when Slovenia reportedly opposed her nomination. As a result, Fajon’s appointment was twice removed from the agenda of the committee of permanent representatives of EU member states, most recently last week. The committee will meet one final time before the summer recess on Wednesday, with discussions on Fajon’s appointment reportedly scheduled, according to the draft agenda published on Friday. The situation has drawn attention to the procedures followed in selecting candidates for such roles, particularly concerning the chain of command and authority within the MZEZ. The ministry’s report highlighted the irregularity of the nomination process, emphasizing that the proper channels were bypassed. The issue has sparked debate over the transparency and integrity of the selection process, with some questioning whether the appropriate protocols were followed. The involvement of the general secretary of MZEZ, who was directly under Fajon, raised eyebrows among officials, leading to scrutiny of the internal dynamics within the ministry. The Slovenian government’s opposition to Fajon’s nomination has been consistent, reflecting broader concerns about the suitability of the candidate for the role. This stance appears to have influenced the decisions of other member states, contributing to the repeated removal of her name from the agenda. As the EU Council prepares for its final meeting before the summer break, the outcome of the discussion on Fajon’s appointment remains uncertain. The Slovenian government continues to oppose her nomination, while the EU Council is expected to consider the positions of all member states before making a final decision. The upcoming meeting will provide clarity on whether Fajon’s appointment will proceed or face further delays. The outcome could have implications for the functioning of the EU’s diplomatic structures and the selection processes for future appointments.