In the aftermath of the parliamentary elections held on March 22, 2026, Slovenia found itself grappling with a complex political transition marked by controversy and allegations of misuse of power. The outgoing government led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, which had been in office since 2022, operated under the regime of current affairs (Article 115 of the Constitution) until June 3, 2026, when the new government under Janez Janša took over. During this period, the Golob administration implemented a series of decisions that have sparked significant debate among experts, institutions, and the public.
The most notable aspect of this transition was the systematic "betonization" of influence, a term used to describe the strategic efforts made by the outgoing government to secure long-term financial, personnel, and political advantages. Despite constitutional limitations, the Golob government carried out numerous actions that critics argue were aimed at entrenching their position even as they prepared to step down. These included extensive recruitment drives within the state administration, large-scale budget reallocations, inclusion of multi-million-euro projects into budgetary documents, controversial foreign policy gestures, and alleged abuse of state institutions.
One of the most visible examples of these actions was the surge in job postings for indefinite periods within the state administration. Analysis of tenders published on the government's portal revealed that ministries posted 70 such job advertisements between March 22 and May 26, 2026, primarily for high-ranking positions such as secretaries, deputy secretaries, department heads, and senior advisors. This number increased further during the months of March and April, reaching over 200 job postings for indefinite terms. These moves effectively placed many of Golob's former cabinet members into influential roles within the public sector. According to a letter from Golob to his ministers, he explicitly encouraged continued staffing practices, resulting in dozens of new appointments for indefinite terms during a time when the election results clearly indicated a desire for change.
Another contentious issue arose from the involvement of former Interior Minister Tanja Bobnar. The Commission for Prevention of Corruption (KPK) found that Golob violated integrity by sending SMS messages expressing serious concerns about the staffing situation in the police force. Golob rejected the KPK's decision and announced plans for legal action. Critics see this as part of a broader pattern of politicizing the police and other institutions.
Financially, the Fiscal Council assessed in April 2026 that the fiscal policy of the Golob government was inappropriate given the economic conditions. The deficit was high, and expenditure growth significantly exceeded revenue growth. By the end of May 2026, there was already a budget deficit of around 900 million euros. Despite this, the government proceeded with its policies, raising questions about its fiscal responsibility and the potential impact on the country's economy.
Meanwhile, another significant development occurred regarding the rights of foreigners in Slovenia. Svetlana Slapšak, a prominent activist from the left-wing, initiated a campaign to protect the right of citizens from the Balkans, Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine to vote in local elections if they are permanently registered in Slovenia. Her efforts, supported by Golob, aimed to prevent the removal of these voting rights, which had been granted to ensure additional voters for the left in urban centers two decades ago. However, due to procedural delays, the proposed referendum on this issue would likely not take effect before the upcoming local elections scheduled for late November 2026.
Additionally, the so-called "Black Cube affair," initially portrayed as an external interference in the electoral process involving Israeli intelligence, has taken a different turn. It now appears that the Slovenian intelligence agency Sova was instrumentalized for the benefit of the ruling party's agenda. The director of Sova, Joško Kadivnik, admitted that there was no evidence of Israeli involvement in the leaked videos that were used to discredit opponents. This revelation has raised serious concerns about the misuse of intelligence services for political purposes.
As the new government under Janez Janša takes office, it faces the challenge of addressing the legacy of the previous administration while implementing its own policies. The incoming prime minister has acknowledged the difficulties posed by the inherited budgetary challenges and the need to adjust some of the previous government's initiatives. Meanwhile, the political landscape remains tense, with ongoing debates over the legitimacy of past actions and the direction of future governance. The coming months will be crucial in determining how effectively the new government can address these issues and restore public trust in the political system.
8 reports
DemokracijaParty-alignedCenterFactual 90Objective 8516 days agoOn June 4th, Slovenia's parliament confirmed the formation of the 16th government under Prime Minister Janez Janša with 49 votes in favor and 30 against. The coalition includes SDS, Demokrati, and the three-party alliance NSi, SLS, and Fokus, supported by MPs from Resni.ca and the National Communities. During the swearing-in ceremony, Janša thanked former Prime Minister Robert Golob for his well-wishes and acknowledged both the successes and shortcomings of the previous government, pledging to correct them. He announced plans to invite opposition parties to collaborate on national development. The new government made several personnel changes at its inaugural session, appointing leaders from coalition partners to key positions such as deputy prime ministers. Several high-ranking officials were replaced, including the head of the Office for Information Security and the director of the Police General Directorate. Janša emphasized that these changes mark an end to the era where security services, police, and financial institutions were tools of a single political option, stating that the new leaders would act solely in the interest of the state and citizens' safety. Finance Minister Č
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced overview of the formation of the new government, detailing the confirmation process, personnel changes, and initial statements from the new leadership. It includes quotes from both the current and former prime ministers, presenting their perspectives without overtly偏向
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): The article provides detailed information about the formation of the new government and its coalition partners. It reports factual events but includes some political commentary, which slightly affects objectivity.
Nova24TVParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 90Objective 7515 days agoThe outgoing government led by Prime Minister Robert Golob implemented a series of controversial measures during its final months in office, including numerous temporary employment contracts, large financial reallocations, and politically sensitive decisions. These actions were criticized as an attempt to consolidate influence before leaving power. The government issued over 70 temporary job postings in state administration between March and May 2026, with some ministries posting more than 200 such positions. Experts have described these moves as a 'cadre tsunami' and 'last looting' of the budget. Critics argue that these actions created additional financial burdens and politicized institutions ahead of the new government under Janez Janša taking office.
Bias read (Progressive): The article uses strong critical language toward the outgoing government, describing their actions as 'drastic,' 'controversial,' and 'politically motivated.' It frames the government’s actions as a 'last looting' of the budget and highlights criticism from experts and analysts, while portraying the
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 75): The article provides accurate information on Golob's actions and the opposition's response. The tone is somewhat biased, emphasizing the negative aspects of the government's policies.
Spletni časopisIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 7513 days agoSvetlana Slapšak has initiated a process to collect 40,000 verified signatures to challenge the current rules allowing citizens from the Balkans, Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine who reside permanently in Slovenia to vote in local elections. This move aims to revoke the voting rights granted to these non-citizens, which were introduced by the left-wing parties two decades ago to secure additional voters in urban areas. The initiative was supported by Robert Golob, who publicly endorsed the effort. However, due to the timing of the parliamentary recess, the collection of signatures cannot begin until September, with the deadline extending into October, overlapping with the already scheduled local elections in late November. If the required number of signatures is not collected, the new law will remain in effect for this year’s elections.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as an attempt by the left to expand voting rights through non-citizens, while criticizing the left for labeling conservative actions as 'fascist' or 'nazi.' It highlights the political motivations behind the change and presents the left as the group seeking to maintain a
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 75): The article reports on parliamentary changes with clear factual details about new deputies and their mandates. It maintains a neutral tone and presents information without overt bias.
DemokracijaParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 75Objective 7013 days ago Slapshakova has already rescued the additional voters from the Balkans and Russia.Svetlana Slapšak has initiated a process to collect 40,000 verified signatures to challenge the current rules allowing non-Slovenian residents from the Balkans, Russia, Ukraine, and Palestine to vote in local elections if they are permanently registered in Slovenia. This initiative aims to address what she describes as an unfair system where Slovenian citizens lack equal voting rights abroad, a situation she claims is unusual compared to other European countries. The move follows her recent recognition by the City of Ljubljana with the Župančič Award. However, due to parliamentary recesses, the signature collection cannot begin until September, and the deadline would expire in October, before the November local elections. If the required signatures are collected, the new law would take effect starting next year. The article notes that this could benefit Robert Golob, who supported Slapšak’s campaign. It also references past comments by Slapšak and former President of the National Assembly Urška Klakočar Zupančič, which were critical of certain political figures.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through a progressive lens, emphasizing the expansion of voting rights for non-citizens and criticizing the current system as unfair. It highlights the actions of leftist activist Svetlana Slapšak and criticizes conservative figures like Zoran Stevanović and Janez Janša,
Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 70): Provides some factual context about political cooperation but includes subjective opinions. Objectivity is moderate with some biased framing.
DemokracijaParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 70Objective 6514 days ago Abuses were committed because they could beThe article discusses the 'Black Cube' affair, which initially involved claims that Israeli intelligence had interfered in Slovenia's electoral process by obtaining unauthorized recordings of individuals associated with the left-wing political network. These recordings were allegedly used to influence the parliamentary election results. The narrative was primarily promoted by Robert Golob and his supporters, who accused Prime Minister Janez Janša of being a traitor and undermining national sovereignty. However, recent revelations indicate that the director of the Slovenian intelligence agency Sova, Joško Kadivnik, denied any evidence of Israeli involvement. Instead, he suggested that the information used to support these claims—such as data on arrivals in Slovenia, taxi rides, and alleged visits to certain locations—was either vague or deliberately misleading. The article further suggests that Sova may have been complicit in creating this narrative or at least failed to prevent its spread. It also highlights the role of mainstream media and left-wing organizations like Institut 8. marec and Danes je nov dan in their active promotion of Golob's narrative without sufficient scrutiny.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as an instance of institutional abuse by the intelligence service under the current government, implying that the intelligence apparatus was manipulated for political purposes. It criticizes the ruling party and highlights the actions of opposition figures like Golob
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 65): The article discusses allegations of misuse of intelligence services, referencing the Black Cube affair. It provides some factual background but includes speculative language and lacks clarity on specific events, affecting objectivity.
ReporterIndependentProgressiveFactual 60Objective 5510 days agoThe article discusses the political situation in Slovenia, focusing on Prime Minister Janez Janša's actions and strategies within his coalition government. It highlights concerns over public understanding of political issues, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine, and criticizes the government's handling of education and economic policies. The author expresses skepticism towards the new government's financial management, citing fears of bankruptcy if they fulfill their coalition agreement. There is mention of international institutions' influence and the role of figures like Robert Golob. The piece also notes Janša's efforts to maintain balance by engaging with various political allies, including Zoran Stevanović and others, while addressing challenges such as traffic management and diplomatic relations.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the government's actions and decisions in a critical light, emphasizing skepticism toward fiscal responsibility and highlighting potential failures. It suggests that the government is not adequately addressing public needs and questions the effectiveness of current policies. The语气
Why these scores (Factual 60 · Objective 55): The article addresses political issues and allegations against a politician. It does not reference the cookie policy document, resulting in moderate factual accuracy and a somewhat biased tone.
MladinaIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 4019 days agoThe article discusses Zoran Stevanović, president of the National Assembly and leader of the Resnica party, who is accused of promoting Serbian nationalism under the guise of patriotism. The article references political commentator Janez Markeš, who criticizes Stevanović for claiming that the best Slovenian citizen acts in an unspecified interest and votes according to Janez Janša's instructions, while simultaneously stating that Serbian citizens living in Slovenia do not have certain rights. The article also notes that Stevanović previously led anti-COVID protests during Janez Janša's third政府
Bias read (Center): The article presents a critique of Zoran Stevanović's actions and rhetoric without overtly favoring any particular political side. It includes commentary from a political analyst but does not exhibit clear bias toward one ideological stance over another.
Why these scores (Factual 60 · Objective 40): The article makes allegations against Zoran Stevanović without providing concrete evidence from the primary source document. The tone is biased and lacks neutrality.
Spletni časopisIndependentProgressiveFactual 10Objective 2012 days ago Police figures: Pigeon government's 'open door' policy finally breaks migration recordsThe police report on illegal border crossings reveals that the previous government under Robert Golob did not achieve the claimed 'radical reduction' in illegal migration, contradicting his claims made before losing the parliamentary election. The data shows that the number of undocumented migrants entering Slovenia increased significantly compared to the same period last year, with over 12,000 recorded by early June 2026, compared to just over 7,600 in the same period in 2025. This increase is attributed to factors such as the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the resulting drop in Syrian migrants, rather than any effective policies by Golob's government. The new government led by Janez Janša has shifted strategy, removing controls on regular travelers at borders and focusing on stricter measures against irregular migration routes.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the previous government's migration policies negatively, emphasizing their failure to reduce illegal crossings and suggesting their alignment with Iranian interests. It contrasts this with the current government's approach, implying a more effective and pragmatic stance. The tone,
Why these scores (Factual 10 · Objective 20): The article discusses the president's political actions but provides no factual information about Kvarkadabra. It is completely unrelated to the topic.
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