[Video] Caption: Rop, Moon and Boštjančič are nothing but Janković with other names

Aleš Primc, a candidate for mayor of Ljubljana, asserted during a Tuesday television interview that his political rivals are essentially Zoran Janković under different names. Speaking on the show Tema dneva, Primc argued that removing the long-serving mayor from office is crucial not just for the capital city, but for Slovenia as a whole. He described Janković as the queen of post-communist left-wing politics in the country. Primc warned against bringing suspicious capital from Serbia into Ljubljana, linking this concern to recent changes in power in Serbia. The local elections are scheduled for Sunday, November 15. Slovenia is divided into 212 municipalities, with over 1.6 million registered voters eligible to cast ballots. Citizens aged 18 and older have the right to vote. Since 1994, when the current municipal structure was established, the number of municipalities has grown from 147. More than half of these municipalities are small, defined as having populations of 5,000 or fewer. Twelve municipalities hold special urban status, including Ljubljana, Maribor, and Celje. This high density of municipalities places Slovenia among European nations with the largest number of local administrative units relative to its population. Primc stated that ground-level support for his campaign is significantly higher than in 2022. He noted that residents frequently stop him on the street to offer congratulations or pledge their support, a contrast to the previous election cycle. He attributed this increase to high view counts on his social media content. The candidate urged all Slovenian citizens, not just Ljubljana residents, to take the local elections seriously. He emphasized that local decisions determine daily life aspects such as road conditions, sidewalks, and kindergarten prices. The race features fifteen candidates for mayor and twenty lists for the city council. Primc acknowledged that while this large field reflects high interest, it limits time for substantive debate. In televised debates, each candidate receives only thirty seconds per appearance, allowing for three or four total statements. Despite this constraint, he expressed enjoyment in meeting new people at these events. He characterized the competition as intense, comparing it to national parliamentary elections due to the presence of high-profile figures. Among the contenders are former Prime Minister Anton Rop, former minister and MP Luka Mesec, and former finance minister and MP Klemen Boštjančič. Primc claimed that left-wing parties are attempting to portray themselves as the only serious option in Ljubljana. He accused them of creating a socialist alliance within democracy itself. He countered that right-wing voters have three candidates, whereas left-wing voters face twelve options. Primc predicted a strong result for the right if supporters turn out to vote. He specifically targeted Rop, Mesec, and Boštjančič, stating they share the same networks, policies, and backers as Janković. Primc warned voters not to be deceived by these similarities. He believed that ousting Janković would bring relief and relaxation to the entire nation. The candidate positioned the upcoming vote as a chance for change, urging citizens to participate to secure better living conditions. The election will determine leadership in a municipality that holds particular significance for the national political landscape.