Lotrich: "You were looking for someone who works honestly"

On June 19, 2026, the parliamentary committee on public financial oversight convened a session that quickly turned into a heated debate over allegations of illegal financing involving the political party Fokus, led by Marko Lotrič. The session was called at the request of the Freedom parliamentary group, which sought to investigate whether the State Council (DS)—headed by Lotrič—might have been used as an institutional, organizational, and financial backer for the operations of his political party. Despite the initial intent to discuss these concerns, the session ended abruptly after a series of accusations and procedural motions were raised, prompting the chairperson of the committee, Alenka Bratušek, to adjourn the meeting.

The discussion centered around several specific issues. According to Andrej Klemenc, who spoke on behalf of the Freedom parliamentary group, there were numerous questions about how certain events organized by the party were funded. For instance, a round table held in Slovenska Bistrica was listed in the party’s reports as one of its events, but according to media reports, it might have been co-organized with the local municipality. Additionally, some companies allegedly paid for services using funds from the State Council's budget, even though their actual impact was primarily politically beneficial to Fokus or Lotrič’s political project before the party was officially established. Klemenc also pointed out that expenses or contributions should have been clearly visible in the party’s financial statements, yet they were not.

According to Klemenc, Fokus reportedly had less than €500 in expenses and more than €4,000 in income during the year 2025, despite organizing activities such as the founding congress, meetings, discussions, and pre-election campaigns. He noted that, based on reporting by the website Necenzurirano, Lotrič and Monika Kirbiš Rojs, now Minister of Cohesion in the government of Janez Janša, personally covered the costs of some of these events, although these amounts were not disclosed as donations to the party.

Lotrič responded to the allegations, stating that the total amount involved was €8,700, all of which he claimed was lawfully paid. He accused the media of making insinuations without presenting his responses and emphasized that every expense was properly documented and in compliance with the law. He mentioned that he personally paid for a hotel service worth €264 and another worth €72, and that the value of contributions did not exceed the legal limit set for the calendar year. Regarding the founding congress, he questioned who should have been responsible for paying for it since the party had not yet been formally established.

He further criticized the committee for overstepping its authority and interfering in his personal finances, arguing that the committee was not entitled to scrutinize them. He highlighted his track record of building a multinational company from scratch over 35 years and suggested that the committee’s actions were driven by jealousy rather than legitimate concern.

Bratušek countered that the committee was concerned with the implementation of the state budget, which includes both the State Council and the funding of political parties. She reminded Lotrič that he was a guest at the committee meeting and that he was currently in the National Assembly, not the State Council. She emphasized that the committee would not judge whether the session was called in accordance with the rules of procedure, but that the sole aim of the proposers was to ensure that the appropriate institutions investigated whether anything was wrong.

Following this exchange, a number of procedural motions were introduced. Nataša Sukič from the Left and Vesna faction urged that the guest be invited to present his arguments rather than engage in polemics. Andrej Poglajen from the SDS questioned Bratušek about the legal basis for calling the session on such a topic, suggesting she may have misused her authority.

Bratušek called on participants to calm down, while Sukič proposed that colleagues on the right be reminded not to laugh inappropriately at inappropriate remarks. Lenart Žavbi from Freedom requested an apology from Monika Kirbiš Rojs, former general secretary of the State Council and now Minister of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development.

In early June 2026, the Fokus party admitted to irregularities in its financial reporting and submitted revised accounting records for the year 2025. These revisions came shortly after the website Necenzurirano exposed discrepancies in the party's initial financial statements, which showed significantly lower revenues and expenses than what was necessary to cover the costs of its activities. The new accounts revealed that the party had approximately €8,500 in revenue and nearly €5,000 in expenses for the year 2025. This admission indicated that the initial financial statements were inaccurate.

However, questions remain about whether the revised accounts fully disclose all previously concealed information regarding the party's financial dealings. Notably, a significant portion of the activity appears to be linked to the State Council, which has been under Lotrič's leadership since 2022. Some reports suggest that the State Council may have covertly financed aspects of Lotrič's political activities.

The revised financial statements include expenses related to renting space in Ljubljana’s Šentvid, which were previously unaccounted for. However, the rent was recorded as a non-monetary contribution, even though the company owned by Lotrič, which operates in the same building, does not appear to have paid for it. This discrepancy raises further questions about the transparency of the party's financial practices.

Despite these revelations, the situation remains complex and contentious. While the Fokus party has acknowledged past errors, the extent of these errors and whether they constitute systemic violations of financial regulations remains unclear. The parliamentary committee's decision to adjourn the session highlights the tension between investigative efforts and the need for procedural adherence, leaving many questions unresolved. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the actions of relevant institutions and the potential implications for both the party and the broader political landscape.