El miedo y la paranoia de la oposición ante las revelaciones en Gen-I

The left-wing opposition in Slovenia appears to be gripped by fear and paranoia ahead of revelations related to the Gen-I case. According to a publicist and sociologist, the left has previously attempted to undermine the ruling party through the New Socialists (NSi), but found it difficult to do so with the Social Democrats (SDS), which is described as a solid and homogeneous party. As a result, efforts have shifted toward smaller parties, using media or other tactics to weaken the coalition. Since the start of Prime Minister Janez Janša's government, the left opposition has been trying to undermine and ultimately dismantle the governing coalition. This strategy aligns political actions, media coverage, and street protests. Central media outlets summarize allegations made by non-governmental actors and opposition parties, presenting them almost as facts. Although the left typically targets the SDS and its leader most aggressively, two smaller parties, Demokrati led by Anže Logar and Resnica led by Zoran Stevanović, have become central figures this time. Both were invited into the parliamentary group by Robert Golob after the elections but declined the invitation, making them the main targets of the radical left. Resnica, which is not part of the coalition, is prepared to cooperate on certain issues, unlike the left, which rejects all constructive cooperation. Soon after, fabricated scandals began appearing in the media. Initially, attention was drawn to claims that Stevanović had a criminal conviction over 15 years ago, although his current record is clean. There were also discussions about his education, as he listed a doctoral degree from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana on his Facebook profile, despite having completed only a master’s degree. The focus soon shifted to Boris Mijić, a member of Resnica who recently resigned. He allegedly owed tens of thousands of euros to employees of his company Pogros and to tax authorities. However, the left failed to address the larger debt of millions of euros owed by the family of Zoran Janković. Resnica managed to counter these accusations effectively, showing that the new political force on the scene is far from being as vulnerable as the radical left hoped. As a result, the left has now turned its attention elsewhere. Demokrati, led by Anže Logar, appear to be the next target. Logar warned early September that the left was preparing for a campaign against his party. The attacks were primarily triggered by the resignation of Tee Košir, a member of Demokrati, who initially announced she would remain independent but later renounced that position. Another member, Mirko Požar, also recently left the party. Košir's departure was welcomed by the opposition, while the media machinery used it to launch covert attacks on the party wrapped in public speculation. Suggestions emerged that Košir was forced to resign from her position within the party, as well as that internal disagreements exist within Demokrati. Logar, during an appearance on 24ur Zvečer, stated that this marks a new attempt to destabilize the government: “Since we want to simply stop this government, which has already implemented several fundamental reforms in three months, we see this practically every day. We now assess that it is a kind of October festival hunt on Demokrati.” He added that Košir's decision to step down from her position as a representative was entirely her own choice. Political commentator, economist, sociologist, and publicist Dr. Štefan Šumah believes that the opposition is searching for the weakest link in the opposition to undermine the government led by Janez Janša. He argues that the opposition is looking for the weakest point in the opposition to attack. Tee Košir, the head of the state secretariat at the Ministry of Health, announced on Facebook on September 30 that she had resigned from her position as a state secretary. Two days later, she posted a more emotional message mentioning threats she supposedly received: “I heard warnings that someone will drive alongside me on the motorway.” She added that she is no longer afraid, though she does not know whether these are empty words or planned attempts to instill fear. During the formation of the coalition, she was told that her company (she has run EcoSija, an eco-candle production and sales company, for over twenty years) would lose contracts with Ljubljana's Žale if she supported Janša's government. She informed the public on October 4 that she might not return to the parliamentary group: “If President of the Party Anže Logar thinks that I don't want my continued presence in the parliamentary group, I will accept that decision. And I understand that his decision is correct.” She added that she would not fight for the parliamentary seat and create conflicts due to her function: “Function for me was never a goal. I think my contribution can be much greater somewhere else and not in the parliamentary group.” However, she questioned whether she still has the right to express her opinion, ask questions, and differ on individual matters: “To say I understand the majority's decision, respect it, but I would act differently.” Daily posts by Tee Košir suggest that the Democratic Party is seeking solutions to the political predicament caused by her resignation. According to reports, she was invited to join the government (specifically the Ministry of Health led by Tadej Ostrc) to replace her in the parliamentary group with Elena Zavadlav Ušaj, who, like Logar, was a long-time member of the SDS before joining the Democratic Party. How valuable Ušaj is to Logar is evident from the fact that he immediately appointed her as the head of the parliamentary group. Her return would mean losing one of his key collaborators in the National Assembly. Therefore, behind-the-scenes discussions are underway about how to convince Košir or what to offer her to abandon her mandate. It is likely not coincidental that the government has yet to officially recognize her resignation, hence not informing the National Assembly, where she has the right to return. “When the government becomes aware of her resignation and makes the appropriate decision, the National Assembly will be informed according to existing regulations,” officials from the communication office of the government stated. From the National Assembly, they responded that Tee Košir's parliamentary role is currently suspended due to her function as a state secretary: “The National Assembly becomes aware of the cessation of the reason for suspension and continuation of the parliamentary function at the session. Regarding the cessation of the function of the state secretary, the government must inform the National Assembly, which it has not done yet.” They will not do so until there is an agreement between Logar and Košir, which is certainly of interest to Prime Minister Janez Janša. Every parliamentary vote is crucial for his fourth government. The official coalition has 43 seats, together with the partner Resnica, 48, plus two additional members from both national minorities. Although Tee Košir emphasizes her loyalty to the right-leaning government in her daily writings, she is not trusted enough; partly because of her regular postings on Facebook. The weak links in the coalition Even the composition of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party for the SDS was not considered.