Animal after Constitutional Court ruling: After years of delay, political purges of Pigeon government retroactively covered in public media

The Supreme Court of Slovenia has ruled on Thursday, July 2, 2026, to approve the law governing RTV Slovenia, effectively retroactively legitimizing political purges carried out by the government of Robert Golob within the public media outlet. The decision, which followed years of delays, has sparked sharp criticism, with observers warning of a systemic breakdown in institutional independence. The ruling was met with immediate backlash from political figures and civil society representatives. European Parliament member Milan Zver expressed his dismay through a post on social media platform X, stating that the court’s decision does not close the affair but rather confirms a systemic collapse of institutional autonomy. He pointed to the involvement of former European Commissioner Verena Jourova during the constitutional review process as key evidence of political and international manipulation. According to Zver, documents obtained after three years of legal battles and pressure reveal that her visit to the Constitutional Court was a direct political push to remove obstacles to the law and protect interests of colleagues from the Renew group. He described this precedent as dangerous, exposing the complete erosion of checks and balances and the division of power within Slovenia. Local officials have also voiced concerns. Nejc Brence, mayor of Žiri, warned that the court's approval signals tacit endorsement of Golob’s government’s actions against RTV Slovenia. He noted that from now on, any government could potentially replace leadership in public institutions via legislation, but likely only if they align with certain political affiliations. His comments reflect broader anxieties about the implications of the ruling for democratic governance. Golob’s government took office in 2022, marking a period of extensive personnel changes at RTV Slovenia. The new law introduced mechanisms allowing the replacement of management and programming councils, which critics argued amounted to political control over the state broadcaster. Opposition parties challenged these measures before the Constitutional Court, which delayed its ruling for several years. Now, with the law confirmed, all past purges are legally sanctioned, despite allegations of violations of principles of media independence and balance of powers. Jourova’s role in the process highlights potential foreign influence in domestic affairs. She was previously a senior official in the European Commission and had close ties with the Renew party. Her presence during the constitutional review phase has raised questions about external pressures influencing internal decisions. The court’s ruling thus carries implications beyond Slovenia, suggesting possible transnational political maneuvering. The decision sets a troubling precedent, as it makes it easier for future governments to alter leadership positions in key public institutions, not just RTV Slovenia. Critics are now asking whether such legislative tools will be available to all governments or only to those aligned with specific political factions. This uncertainty underscores growing concerns about the stability of democratic norms and the rule of law in the country.