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The Judicial Council after the vote in the National Assembly: Expert judgment replaces political
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenter5 hr. ago

The Judicial Council after the vote in the National Assembly: Expert judgment replaces political

The Judicial Council has expressed concern over the rejection of candidate Boris Gabriela Hrovat by the National Assembly, which was unanimously supported by all members of the Judicial Council. The council emphasized that this decision undermines professional standards in judicial appointments and threatens the independence of the judiciary. The Judicial Council, composed of six judges and five other respected lawyers, requires at least eight votes for important decisions. Despite Hrovat's extensive experience in the judiciary, his nomination received support from only 33 MPs, while 44 voted against it. The SDS opposed his appointment, while a representative of the Judicial Council defended his professional credentials. The Supreme Court had previously warned of staffing shortages in the criminal division, where Hrovat's experience could contribute significantly. The National Assembly confirmed the remaining six judicial candidates, including three not previously endorsed by the Mandate-Election Commission. The appointment process is not yet complete, and the Judicial Council will decide on November 5 whether to select another candidate or restart the selection process.

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the recent decision by the National Assembly's Mandate-Voting Commission (MVK) regarding judicial appointments, which it describes as a concerning departure from the standards of transparency and responsible conduct expected from democratic institutions. According to the Supreme Court, the decision by the MKV to reject four proposed candidates for judicial positions without providing any reasons or explanations raises serious questions about the adherence to legal culture and institutional accountability. The Supreme Court emphasized that it expects all holders of public office to uphold the highest standards of legal culture and institutional responsibility, which are essential for the functioning of a democratic state and maintaining public trust in the judiciary and other branches of government. All proposals for judicial candidates were prepared based on legally derived procedures and thoroughly documented and professionally reasoned. The Supreme Court noted that three proposals for judicial appointments and one proposal for the appointment of a chief judge were rejected by members of the MKV despite the candidates having been confirmed by the Supreme Court as having impeccable professional references. This lack of discussion or justification for the rejection decisions has raised concerns within the judiciary. While the Supreme Court respects the right of MPs to make independent decisions on proposals, it stated that it is equally justified to expect that the reasons for rejecting well-substantiated proposals from constitutional bodies should be publicly presented and argued. Given that an independent and impartial judiciary is one of the cornerstones of constitutional democracy, it is particularly important that decisions on judicial appointments are made in a transparent and reasoned manner to maintain public confidence in the functioning of institutions, ensure respect for the principles of the rule of law, and preserve the balance among the branches of power. The MKV rejected the proposal to appoint Boris Gabrijel Hrovat as the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of Slovenia, along with three other candidates for judicial positions. The opposition criticized this move as a further erosion of the rule of law and an attempt to intimidate the judiciary. They argued that the rejection of Hrovat’s nomination, who had been unanimously supported by all members of the Supreme Court, suggests that professional judgments on judicial appointments are being replaced by political considerations. The Supreme Court highlighted that the rejection of Hrovat’s nomination, who was a senior member of the Criminal Department at the Ljubljana Higher Court with more than twenty years of experience in the judiciary, raises concerns about the respect for professional criteria in judicial appointments and the protection of judicial independence as one of the foundations of a democratic and legal state. The Supreme Court reminded that it plays a crucial role in ensuring institutional balance among the branches of power and preventing their dominance. The process of selecting judges is multi-phase and involves evaluations of their work, opinions from relevant courts, and discussions with candidates. The Supreme Court emphasized that its decisions are professionally justified and publicly accessible. However, the current decision by the MKV has raised concerns about the potential undermining of judicial independence. The Supreme Court will decide on the next steps during its session on November 5th, where it will determine whether to select another candidate from the list of applicants or to restart the selection process. The National Assembly rejected Hrovat’s nomination with 33 votes in favor and 44 against, following the MKV’s recommendation. Members of the SDS, NSi, SLS, Fokus, Democrats, and three members of the Resonance party voted against his appointment, while the President of the National Assembly, Zoran Stevanović, abstained. Opposition parties such as Freedom, Social Democracy, and Left emphasized the importance of the relationship between the National Assembly and the independence of the judiciary, professional institutions, and the responsibilities of the legislative branch. They pointed out that the ruling coalition had already rejected four judicial appointment proposals at the MKV level. Members of the opposition argued that political power should not replace professional judgment in the selection of judges. They stressed that judges should be chosen based on knowledge, experience, professionalism, and integrity, rather than personal preferences or past rulings. The Supreme Court representative Andrej Razdrih noted that Hrovat had a minimum number of dismissed cases, but one particular case had become controversial. He argued that dismissing a long-standing professional record based on a single overturned decision was not reasonable. Hrovat was involved in a case in 2022 where he was part of the Ljubljana Higher Court’s senate that ordered the detention of journalist Bojan Požar, which was later annulled by the Supreme Court. Požar, a former owner of the newspaper Večer, had sued him for a contribution about himself and accused him of wrongful conviction. Despite the rejection of Hrovat’s nomination, the National Assembly approved the nominations of six other judges, including three whose proposals were previously rejected by the MKV. The Supreme Court reiterated its concerns about the potential replacement of professionally justified judicial appointments with political assessments and emphasized the importance of maintaining judicial independence as a cornerstone of democratic governance.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 11 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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13 reports

24ur (POP TV) logo24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 7519 hr. ago
The National Assembly has rejected Hrovat's nomination as Chief Justice.

The Slovenian National Assembly has rejected the appointment of Gabriel Hrovat as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The opposition parties, including SDS, NSi, SLS, Focus, and Democrats, voted against his nomination, while three members of the True Party also opposed it. Zoran Stevanović abstained. SDS representative Franc Breznik emphasized the need for judges who can justify their decisions convincingly, recognize violations, and correct them. He criticized inherited patterns within the judiciary, such as excessive formalism, uncritical adherence to institutional authorities, resistance to professional criticism, and reluctance to admit mistakes. The ruling coalition parties did not present their stance on Hrovat, but opposition parties highlighted the importance of maintaining judicial independence and the role of the National Assembly in this process. The Assembly approved the appointments of six other judges, despite differing opinions from the Judicial Council.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the opposition's arguments against Hrovat's appointment and the concerns raised by the Judicial Council regarding the National Assembly's decision. It includes quotes from multiple political figures across different parties, providing a balanced view of the situation. There

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the outcome of the vote in the National Assembly regarding the appointment of Hrovat as chief justice, citing specific political parties and individuals who voted against or abstained. It includes direct quotes from Franc Breznik of SDS, providing context about his con

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the event neutrally but leans slightly toward the opposition viewpoint by emphasizing the criticism of Hrovat and quoting Breznik at length. While it does not outrightly favor any party, the framing highlights the opposition's arguments more prominently than the supporting ones,

N1 Slovenija logoN1 SlovenijaIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 805 days ago
Candidate for Chief Justice without the support of the Electoral Commission

The Mandate-Election Commission of the National Assembly has rejected support for Boris Gabrijel Hrovat, the candidate for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Slovenia. This decision marks a significant development in the selection process for Slovenia’s highest judicial office. The commission’s vote indicates disagreement with Hrovat’s candidacy, potentially influencing the future composition of the judiciary. The rejection could lead to further discussions or alternative nominations for the position.

Bias read (Center): The article reports a procedural decision by a governmental body regarding a judicial appointment. It presents the outcome factually without overtly favoring any side, providing minimal context beyond the commission's action. No clear ideological framing or biased language is present.

Why factuality (90): This article provides detailed information about the candidate, Boris Gabrijel Hrovat, including his qualifications, experience, and the rationale given by the Judicial Council for recommending him. The facts match those presented in other sources, and the voting outcome is clearly stated. The artic

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, focusing on the facts surrounding the candidate and the commission’s decision. However, there is a slight emphasis on the qualifications of Hrovat and the reasoning behind the Judicial Council’s recommendation, which may subtly favor his position. Ove

Večer logoVečerIndependent🔒CenterFactual 90Objective 7517 hr. ago
The Judicial Council after the vote in the National Assembly: Expert judgment replaces political

The Judicial Council has expressed concern over the rejection of candidate Boris Gabriela Hrovat by the National Assembly, which was unanimously supported by all members of the Judicial Council. The council emphasized that this decision undermines professional standards in judicial appointments and threatens the independence of the judiciary. The Judicial Council, composed of six judges and five other respected lawyers, requires at least eight votes for important decisions. Despite Hrovat's extensive experience in the judiciary, his nomination received support from only 33 MPs, while 44 voted against it. The SDS opposed his appointment, while a representative of the Judicial Council defended his professional credentials. The Supreme Court had previously warned of staffing shortages in the criminal division, where Hrovat's experience could contribute significantly. The National Assembly confirmed the remaining six judicial candidates, including three not previously endorsed by the Mandate-Election Commission. The appointment process is not yet complete, and the Judicial Council will decide on November 5 whether to select another candidate or restart the selection process.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the concerns of the Judicial Council regarding the political nature of the National Assembly's decision to reject a judicial candidate. It includes statements from both the Judicial Council and opposing parties, providing balanced perspectives without overtly favoring one side.

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports the vote outcome (33 for, 44 against) and the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy. It also provides relevant background information about his past actions involving journalist Bojan Požar, which is consistent with other sources.

Why objectivity (75): The article maintains a mostly neutral tone but includes some subjective commentary from political figures, which slightly affects its objectivity.

Demokracija logoDemokracijaParty-alignedCenterFactual 90Objective 7518 hr. ago
The National Assembly rejected the controversial candidate for the Supreme Court who in 2022 requested the detention of Bojan Pojar

The Slovenian National Assembly (Državni zbor) rejected the nomination of Boris Gabrijel Hrobat for the position of Chief Justice by a vote of 33 to 44. The decision followed the recommendation of the Judicial Selection Committee (MVK). The opposition parties, including SDS, NSi, SLS, Fokus, and Demokrati, voted against the nomination, while three members of the ruling coalition (Resnica) also opposed it. Hrobat was previously involved in a controversial case where he helped justify the detention of journalist Bojan Požar in March 2022, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court as unlawful. Members of the opposition emphasized the importance of judicial independence and professional standards in selecting judges, criticizing the political influence over judicial appointments. Some MPs highlighted concerns about entrenched patterns within the judiciary, such as excessive formalism and resistance to criticism.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the arguments for and against the candidate’s appointment, citing positions from multiple political factions and emphasizing judicial independence and professional criteria. It does not exhibit clear bias toward one side but rather reports on the debate and differing views.

Why factuality (90): The article accurately conveys the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy by the National Assembly and provides context about his past actions involving journalist Bojan Požar. The information aligns closely with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (75): The article remains largely neutral but occasionally leans into emphasizing the concerns raised by the Judicial Council regarding the potential politicization of judicial appointments, which might introduce a subtle bias.

Svet24 logoSvet24IndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 7018 hr. ago
MEPs withdraw support for judge who ordered the detention of right-wing journalist

The Slovenian National Assembly (Državni zbor) rejected by 44 votes to 33 the nomination of Boris Gabrijel Hrovat for the position of Chief Justice, following the recommendation of the Judicial Council (Sodni svet). The decision was influenced by concerns over judicial independence and the potential politicization of the judiciary. The ruling SDS party emphasized the need for judges who could convincingly justify their decisions and recognize legal violations, while opposition parties warned against undermining the independence of the judiciary through political influence. The Judicial Council expressed concern that rejecting a unanimously supported candidate suggests replacing professional judgment with political discretion.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the ruling party's emphasis on judicial accountability and the opposition's warnings about politicization, without overtly favoring one side. It includes quotes from multiple stakeholders and does not exhibit clear biased language or one-sided sourcing.

Why factuality (90): This article accurately reports the vote outcome (33 for, 44 against) and the reasons behind the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy. It also includes relevant background information about his past actions regarding journalist Bojan Požar, which matches the information presented in other sources.

Why objectivity (70): While the article maintains a relatively neutral tone overall, it does include some subjective statements from political representatives, such as the emphasis on the importance of judicial independence, which can be seen as a form of editorializing.

N1 Slovenija logoN1 SlovenijaIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 7018 hr. ago
The National Assembly also rejected Hrovat's nomination as Supreme Court judge.

The National Assembly of Slovenia has rejected the proposal to appoint Boris Gabrijel Hroat as the Chief Justice, following the recommendation of the Mandate-Election Committee (MVK). The vote ended with 33 votes in favor and 44 against, with members of the ruling coalition (SDS, NSi, SLS, Fokus, and three deputies from Resnica) opposing the appointment. Opposition parties such as Freedom, SD, and Left emphasized the importance of judicial independence and criticized the National Assembly for interfering in matters that should be decided by professional institutions rather than political considerations. SDS member Franc Breznik highlighted the need for judges who can justify their decisions and pointed out historical issues within the judiciary during the communist era. He noted that some ingrained patterns persist in the Slovenian judiciary, including excessive formalism and resistance to criticism.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the opposition and supporting arguments regarding the judicial appointment, highlighting concerns over judicial independence and the role of political influence. It includes quotes from multiple political factions without overtly favoring any side, maintaining a balanced,报道

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports the vote outcome (33 for, 44 against) and the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy. It also includes relevant background information about his past actions involving journalist Bojan Požar, which is consistent with other sources.

Why objectivity (70): The article is generally neutral but includes some subjective statements from political representatives, which can be interpreted as a form of editorializing.

Info360 logoInfo360IndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 70yesterday
The jury would have to find for the Supreme Court a man who was planning to illegally imprison a journalist

The Mandate-Election Committee of the National Assembly has rejected support for the appointment of higher court judge Boris Gabrijel Horvat to the position of chief justice. The Judicial Council, led by lawyer Urška Kežmah, expressed concern over the lack of explanation from coalition MPs and the Resnica party for their rejection of Horvat’s nomination. Public attention was drawn to Horvat’s past actions, including his involvement in a case where he attempted to unlawfully detain journalist Bojan Požar in March 2022. This occurred during a legal proceeding involving former owners of the newspaper *Večer*, who accused Požar of defamation. Despite Požar being acquitted at the first instance and later having this ruling upheld, the panel of judges, including Horvat, ordered his compulsory attendance at a hearing, which led to a detention order. However, the Supreme Court overturned this decision within two days.

Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights concerns about judicial impartiality and criticizes the behavior of a high-ranking judge involved in a controversial legal case against a journalist. It frames the rejection of Horvat’s nomination as a necessary response to his questionable conduct, suggesting a critique of a右

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports the vote outcome (33 for, 44 against) and the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy. It also includes relevant background information about his past actions involving journalist Božan Požar, which is consistent with other sources.

Why objectivity (70): The article is generally neutral but includes some subjective statements from political representatives, which can be interpreted as a form of editorializing.

N1 Slovenija logoN1 SlovenijaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 755 days ago
At the Supreme Court, concerned about the decision of the coalition MPs. "We'd expect at least a solid explanation"

The parliamentary electoral commission of the National Assembly has rejected support for Boris Gabriela Hrobat, the candidate for the Supreme Court of Slovenia. This decision has raised concerns at the Supreme Court, where officials expressed surprise and disappointment, stating they expected at least some justification for the rejection. The move highlights potential tensions within the political landscape regarding judicial appointments and the influence of legislative bodies on the judiciary.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on the rejection of a judicial candidate by the parliamentary electoral commission without overtly favoring any political side. It does not include biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing that would indicate a clear ideological lean.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the decision by the Mandatno-volilna komisija DZ to reject support for the candidate for the Supreme Court, including the voting breakdown and the response from the Supreme Court. It cites the lack of explanation from the commission members as a concern. The details al

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the situation from the perspective of the Supreme Court, expressing concern over the lack of justification from the commission. While it does not explicitly take sides, the language used ('presenečenje', 'zaskrbljenost') conveys a degree of bias toward the Supreme Court’s positi

Delo logoDeloIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 655 hr. ago
The Parliamentary Hammer

The Slovenian parliament has rejected a proposal by the Judicial Council to appoint Boris Gabrijel Hrovat as the head of the judiciary. This decision highlights concerns over the political influence on judicial independence, as Slovenia is one of the few EU countries where politicians have significant control over judicial appointments. The rejection comes amid ongoing debates about constitutional reforms requiring a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, which has never been achieved. Opposition representatives warn of the risks posed by expanding political influence over independent institutions.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the Judicial Council's concerns and opposition warnings about political influence without overtly favoring one side. It provides context about Slovenia's unique system and mentions the lack of consensus on constitutional reform but does not adopt a clear ideological stance.

Why factuality (85): The article correctly states the vote outcome (33 for, 44 against) and the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy. It also touches upon the broader issue of political influence over judicial appointments, which is supported by other sources.

Why objectivity (65): The article has a more opinionated tone, especially when discussing the role of politics in judicial appointments. It appears to take a stance on the matter rather than presenting a purely objective account.

Nova24TV logoNova24TVParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 85Objective 6516 hr. ago
Grgurevich was furious that Hrovat did not get support for the Supreme Court

The Slovenian National Assembly rejected the nomination of Boris Gabrijel Hrovat for the position of Supreme Court judge, with 33 votes in favor and 44 against. The decision was strongly opposed by Leno Grgurevič of the Freedom Movement, who criticized the opposition as undermining the legal order. Six other judges were approved, including those supported by the Mandate-Voting Commission of the National Assembly. Hrovat previously attempted to unlawfully detain journalist Bojan Požar in March 2022, which led to legal proceedings. The incident involved a ruling by the High Court panel, which included Hrovat, ordering Požar’s forced detention despite his lack of obligation to attend the hearing. The SDS parliamentary group did not explicitly comment on Hrovat but emphasized the need for judges who can justify their decisions and uphold human rights.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the rejection of Hrovat's nomination as a defense of legal order and highlights his controversial past involving unlawful actions against a journalist. It emphasizes criticism from left-leaning figures like Leno Grgurevič and contrasts this with the stance of the right-leaning SDS

Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details about the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy by the National Assembly, mentions the vote count (33 for, 44 against), and references the past incident involving journalist Bojan Požar. These facts align with the cross-source consensus found in other articles. Howeve

Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'spoštovani skrajni desničarji' and presents the opposition to Hrovat in a way that frames them as protectors of the rule of law. This suggests a bias rather than an objective reporting of events.

Dnevnik logoDnevnikIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 6519 hr. ago
DZ rejects Supreme Court nominee, Judicial Council warns against political decision

The Slovenian National Assembly (DZ) has rejected the nomination of candidate Gabriël Hrovat for the position of Chief Justice, raising concerns within the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council expressed worry that this decision could signal a shift from professional judgment to political influence in judicial appointments. They emphasized that the process remains ongoing, with a final decision expected in November. Hrovat, a senior judge with over two decades of experience, was unanimously recommended by all members of the Judicial Council. The council highlighted the importance of maintaining judicial independence as a cornerstone of democratic legal systems and noted their role in balancing power between branches of government.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, quoting the Judicial Council's concerns about potential political interference while also noting the rejection by the National Assembly. It does not favor either side but emphasizes the procedural aspects and the implications for judicial independence.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the vote outcome (33 for, 44 against) and the rejection of Hrovat's candidacy. It also includes relevant background information about his past actions involving journalist Bojan Požar, which is consistent with other sources.

Why objectivity (65): The article has a more opinionated tone, especially when discussing the role of politics in judicial appointments. It appears to take a stance on the matter rather than presenting a purely objective account.

STA – Slovenska tiskovna agencija logoSTA – Slovenska tiskovna agencijaState / PublicCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 8018 hr. ago
The appointment of judges: it is essential that there is no interference with the independence of the judiciary

The Slovenian government has not commented on the rejection of a candidate for the position of chief justice by the National Assembly (DZ). Minister Mihael Zupančič stated that as a representative of the executive branch, he does not wish to comment on the assembly’s decision. He emphasized that it is crucial to prevent any interference with the independence of the judiciary. The law allows for the possibility that judges are not elected.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a neutral account of the situation regarding the judicial appointment process and the government's stance. It includes direct quotes from the minister without apparent bias or loaded language. There is no clear emphasis on one side over another, and the content remains focused,

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout and avoids taking sides in the discussion about the politicization of judicial appointments.

RTV Slovenija (MMC) logoRTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicCenter19 hr. ago
The U.S. House of Representatives has not endorsed Hrowat's nomination for Chief Justice. The Judicial Council warns against political judgment.

The Slovenian National Assembly (DZ) did not approve the appointment of Jože Hrobat as the head of the judiciary. The opposition parties, including SDS, NSi, SLS, Focus, and Democrats, voted against the nomination, while three members of Resni.ca also opposed it. Zoran Stevanović abstained. SDS member Franc Breznik emphasized the need for judges who can justify their decisions and recognize legal violations, criticizing past practices under communism where judicial appointments were influenced by ideology rather than merit. He highlighted lingering issues within the Slovenian judiciary, such as excessive formalism and resistance to criticism. Opposition parties like Freedom, SD, and Left stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the judiciary and warned against allowing political considerations to override professional judgment. They criticized the ruling coalition for rejecting four judicial appointments proposals. The Judicial Council, which recommended Hrobat, defended his qualifications but noted one controversial case involving a procedural decision.

Bias read (Center): The article presents opposing viewpoints from both the ruling coalition and the opposition regarding the judicial appointment process. It includes quotes from multiple political figures across different parties, providing balanced perspectives on the issue of judicial independence versus political干预

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