99-657: The Slovenian Democratic Party ( Slovene : Slovenska demokratska stranka , SDS ), formerly the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia ( Slovene : Socialdemokratska stranka Slovenije , SDSS ), is a conservative parliamentary party; it is also one of the largest parties in Slovenia, with approximately 30,000 reported members in 2013. It has been described as nationalist and right-wing populist , encompassing both national and social conservatism . Led by former Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša ,
198-579: A bad bank that would take on non-performing loans from the bad debt-ridden state-owned banks. It intended to cut profit and income taxes to boost the economy, and enact constitutional changes demanding balance budgets . It also passed sweeping and highly contentious austerity measures (the Law of Public Finance Balance (Slovene: Zakon o uravnovešenju javnih financ ( ZUJF ))), and reportedly planned further cuts to state spending. The ZUJF fiscal consolidation law included provisions lowering pensions (widely opposed by
297-470: A coalition with SDS. Some two weeks after the 2018 election, Janša again met with Hungarian PM Orbán during a private visit in Budapest. Janša and Orbán also held a conference call with US president Donald Trump during the meeting. Janša stated he would be willing to relinquish his post as PM designate to some other SDS MP such a move would ease tensions and enable SDS to form a coalition government. Despite
396-481: A combined total of 50 out of 90 parliamentary seats) some two months after the election after PS failed to form a coalition with a parliamentary majority. The coalition took power amid an alarming economic downturn ( European debt crisis ). The country's economic woes were further exacerbated by credit agencies' lowering of Slovenia's credit rating amid the political tumult. The coalition, headed by SDS, undertook drastic economic and financial reforms in an attempt to halt
495-700: A conflict between the leadership and membership of SDU, the Slovenian Democratic Union split into two parties – the social-liberal wing established the Democratic Party (DSS), while the conservative faction founded the National Democratic Party (NDS). Although the Social Democratic Party suffered a clear defeat in the 1992 election, barely entering Parliament , it formed a coalition with
594-499: A fall in domestic spending, and large budget deficits. The fall in domestic demand, coupled with falling exports, resulted in a double dip recession . A 2016 article alleges that the sharp downturn in Slovenian economic outlook was a result of Janša's overdramatic public statements regarding the economic fitness of the nation. Janša reportedly made such ominous claims for political purposes as means of solidifying political power and as
693-434: A formation of a Janša-led government in the past, all had since experienced changes of leadership that was more amenable to such an arrangement. The news that SMC would be entering into a coalition with Janša resulted in the departure of the party's founder and first head, Miro Cerar, after whom the party was initially named ("Miro Cerar Party"). Janša was confirmed as PM on 13 March 2020. The coalition agreement signed between
792-545: A four-party centre-left coalition led by the new leader of Positive Slovenia , Alenka Bratušek . In June 2013, Janša was convicted in the Patria case , but appealed the verdict. In April 2014, the Higher Court upheld the two-year jail sentence passed on Janez Janša as result of the bribery conviction. In June of that year, Janša began serving out his sentence, 26 years after his imprisonment for leaking military secrets as
891-663: A negotiating strategy to strengthen his hand during negotiations with public sector unions. The PM's eerie pronouncements were taken at face value by foreign observers, however, creating a self-fulfilling feedback loop where gloomy statements made by top Slovene officials created more panic and dismay in the foreign press and various organisations, and vice versa, resulting in falling credit ratings and asset prices, and excessive capital injections/bailouts with funds borrowed at excessively high interest rates. In late 2012, protests began to take place in Slovenia's second largest city, Maribor, against its mayor and SDS ally, Franc Kangler , who
990-447: A period of rapid economic growth. GDP grew by nearly 5% between 2004 and 2006, reaching nearly 7% growth in 2007, making Slovenia the fastest-growing eurozone member for that year. The economic boom, however, was highly dependent on private debt, particularly corporate debt. Additionally, the Janša government failed to implement meaningful structural reforms or accumulate budget surpluses during
1089-601: A physical confrontation". In the Nova24TV interview, the leader of the Jackets – speaking about the risk of a violent confrontation between the group – also stated: "If they wished to attack us, we don't know why they gathered up the courage only after we were separated by police. And despite the police cordon, the anarchists and Antifa chose to stay at a distance greater than a human hand's reach. In fact, they disappointed us, since all those provoking us were retirees." During
SECTION 10
#17327830658821188-445: A protest Statehood Day "anti-celebration", some 30 pro-government anti-protesters with yellow safety vests appeared on the square where the event was being held and began shouting provocative slogans in an attempt to disrupt the event. Police cordoned the anti-protesters off from the rest of the crowd. Multiple Yellow Wests (as they dubbed themselves ) wore clothing and/or footwear and/or had tattoos associated with neo-Nazism, and one
1287-442: A protracted timetable). The revelations prompted in a criminal investigation. After the parliamentary opposition announced its intention to launch a parliamentary investigative commission to look into the potential improprieties, the government responded by launching its own investigative commission which would additionally to the opposition proposal focus its attention on the failings of the preceding Šarec government's handling of
1386-510: A reduction of the tax burden on individual incomes, the flattening of income tax margin progression, an increase in tax deductions, and a simplification of the tax code), overseeing the implementation of the Euro and the privatisation of state-owned NKBM bank, and reducing public expenditure as the greatest accomplishments of the ministry during his term (2004–2008). According to Janša, the most prominent economic challenge confronted by his government
1485-399: A result. The dismissal prompted protests by Janša's supporters and there were founded fears inside the government that Janša, backed by the nascent military, may refuse to relinquish power. A 2003 Mladina article alleged that Slovenia's military's special unit (MORiS) was in 1994 performing military exercises intended to prepare the force to carry out a military coup d'état . The police force
1584-409: A safety fence in front of the parliament with police pushing back on the other side) for a cover banner for their social media accounts and a billboard political ad campaign. The Image of the anarchists was tainted red and accompanied with the words "THEY THREATEN, DESTROY..." and contrasted with a photograph of a SDS-supported rally which was accompanied with the words "WE BUILD JOIN SDS". During
1683-569: A total of 49 parliamentary seats (out of 90). SDS has been accused of catering to the interests of the Slovenian Roman Catholic Church in exchange for political support. The government introduced measures to supervise, and to curtail the powers of the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency . The measures were strongly rebuked by the opposition and segments of the press as an attempt to discredit
1782-428: A universal child benefit instead of an income-based one. In April 2022, liberal opposition, The Freedom Movement , won the parliamentary election . The Freedom Movement won 34.5% of the vote, compared with 23.6% for Slovenian Democratic Party. On 25 May 2022, Slovenia's parliament voted to appoint the leader of Freedom Movement, Robert Golob , as the new Prime Minister of Slovenia to succeed Janez Janša. Following
1881-457: A whistle-blower ( his imprisonment, trial, and public reaction were a milestone in the Slovenian path to independence). Despite his imprisonment, Janša stood as candidate for MP. In the May 2014 European Parliament election , SDS came in first place nationally, garnering 24.78% of the vote, and winning three MEP seats (out of eight allocated for Slovenia). The party received 20.69% of the vote in
1980-489: Is absent, he is substituted by one of the ministers, usually one of those holding the unofficial title of Deputy Prime Minister. Cabinet usually takes decisions by consensus, but it can also decide with relative majority of votes. (born 1978) On its 1st Session on 13 March 2020, immediately following its confirmation, government set up a Crisis Management Staff (CMS) of the Republic of Slovenia in order to contain and manage
2079-410: Is the last time you play a political game for Slovenian left. @vonderleyen". Public dissatisfaction with the government led to a series of protests starting soon after the new government took office, with one protest having taken place even as the negotiations about an SDS coalition government were still taking place. At that protest protester Ludvik Tomšič yelled "Ubi Janšo" (lit. Kill Janša), which
SECTION 20
#17327830658822178-472: The 1991 Slovenian war of independence . Crisis Management Staff was abolished on 24 March 2020, its functions were transferred on the responsible ministries. The new government took office in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic . The period during and immediately after the transition of power was marked by a series of controversial actions and decisions by the incoming government. The government allocated
2277-561: The 2024 European Parliament elections , Janša opposed the European People's Party maintaining its coalition with left-leaning parliamentary groups, and expressed openness to leaving the EPP. There was speculation that the SDS would join the right-wing Patriots for Europe group, though this ultimately did not happen. Slovene language Too Many Requests If you report this error to
2376-519: The COVID-19 epidemic . Head of the Staff is Prime Minister Janez Janša and its secretary is former SOVA director Andrej Rupnik. CMS is composed of all government members and other experts and civil servants. CMS has Health Experts Support Group. Head of the Group is Bojana Beovič. Jelko Kacin , former minister and ambassador to NATO , is the official spokesman of the Staff, he had a similar role during
2475-463: The Yugoslav Wars in violation of a United Nations arms embargo, and blackmailing prominent individuals, including politicians, businesspeople, journalists, and cultural and literary figures, by threatening to make public information (to which he was privy to in his ministerial role) regarding their previously undisclosed involvement with the former communist secret police. In 1994, Janez Janša
2574-510: The snap Slovenian parliamentary election held on 13 July 2014, and won 21 seats in parliament. The party remained in opposition, this time to the cabinet of Miro Cerar . Janez Janša was reelected as MP despite being imprisoned. The Constitutional Court decided not to deprive Janša of his MP mandate, and Janša was allowed leave while carrying out his political functions. The Constitutional Court suspended Janša's jail sentence in December, pending
2673-505: The 4 parties stipulated, among other things: the re-introduction of the draft and 6 months of mandatory military service, utilisation of private healthcare providers to reduce waiting times, an increase in public and private healthcare funds, promote apprenticeships in vocational school, a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, decentralisation, decreasing public spending, an increase in funds for municipalities, tax reductions for performance pay, an increase in pensions, and an introduction of
2772-558: The National Assembly the list of candidates for ministers. Hearings took place from 10 until 13 March 2020. Ministers of the 13th Government worked closely with the incoming formation in the time of transition to inform incoming ministers on the situation related to the coronavirus outbreak . Such coordination has not happened before. Both formations had a joint meeting on 9 March 2020. On 12 March 2020 outgoing Minister of Health Aleš Šabeder declared epidemic. Prime Minister-elect
2871-453: The PM – at least eight criminal proceedings against protesters for using the slogan on suspicion of making death threats. Janša also claimed that protesters and politicians who support them "are endangering health and lives and spreading #COVID19". SDS used the image of a confrontation between a group of Antifa members and police during one of the protests (that involved Antifa pushing and shoving
2970-424: The SDS is a member of the European People's Party , Centrist Democrat International and International Democracy Union . SDS has its origins in the Slovenian anti-Communist pro-democracy dissident labour union movement of the late 1980s. The Social Democratic Union of Slovenia (later renamed Social Democratic Party and, in 2003, Slovenian Democratic Party) was first headed by trade unionist France Tomšič, then by
3069-744: The SDU was renamed as Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDS). Pučnik was a former dissident who had been forced to emigrate to Germany as a political exile in the 1960s. The Slovenian Democratic Union was founded in January 1989 as opposition to the Communist Party of Slovenia , emphasizing establishment of the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental political freedoms, respect for minority rights , and Euro-Atlantic integration (the European Union and NATO ). In 1991, after
Slovenian Democratic Party - Misplaced Pages Continue
3168-619: The Slovene media space, while the Interior Minister said he "[...] informed EU interior ministers about the media's and political left's fight against the government that is successfully stemming the epidemic. [...]" and listing anti-government protests as an example of such a fight. The head of the National Bureau of Investigations (NPU) that was conducting the criminal investigation regarding potential improprieties with
3267-505: The Slovenian Democratic Party officially declared it would stay in opposition and form a shadow cabinet . The shadow government was formed in late December 2008, and it includes several independent members as well as members from other conservative parties. In the 2009 European election , the SDS was the most popular party in Slovenia with 26.9% of votes, more than eight points ahead of the second-most popular party,
3366-513: The WHO and called for the resignation of the director general while labelling Slovene public health experts who expressed objections to government public health policies as "so-called experts" and said the government is relying on "common peasant wisdom". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a communique to the Council of Europe in which it alleged that communist legacy media constitute a majority of
3465-602: The Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.150 via cp1114 cp1114, Varnish XID 934614768 Upstream caches: cp1114 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:37:46 GMT 14th Government of Slovenia UN Member State ( UNSC Member · ECOSOC Member ) EU Member State ( Eurozone Member · Schengen Area Member ) NATO Member State Council of Europe Member State OECD Member State The 14th Government of Slovenia
3564-607: The anti-government protests in an "exclusive" interview with the SDS-linked Nova24TV , which also published another article about the Yellow Jackets' call to join their anti-protest (which they termed the " counter-revolution "). Both articles were shared by PM Janša on Twitter. Despite describing themselves as non-violent, the Yellow Jacket shared a meme in which they are described as "unafraid of
3663-417: The centre-left coalition collapsed in early 2020, two of the parties that had seen a change of leadership since the election reneged on their pre-election pledge, clearing the path for the third Janša Cabinet . The new SDS-led government took office during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic . In recent years, Janša has been described as an illiberal leader. The Slovenian Democratic Party developed from
3762-434: The coalition government. SDS largely remained in opposition for the following 10 years, gaining in popularity and shifting its ideological outlook rightwards in the meanwhile. In 1995, SDS absorbed the conservative National Democratic Party , a former DEMOS coalition partner. In 2004, SDS placed first in that year's parliamentary elections , forming a centre-right governing coalition with Janša as PM . The government oversaw
3861-416: The concession, the PM post was eventually occupied by the leader of the second largest parliamentary party, Marjan Šarec , who succeeded in forming a centre-left minority government (without the participation of SDS). After the 2018 parliamentary election, SDS failed to regain its traditionally strong showing of support in opinion polls which had been typical for the party while in opposition. Speaking to
3960-496: The country's entry into the European Union and NATO , and a period of rapid economic growth. The government faced allegations of curtailing media freedom. In the 2008 parliamentary elections , SDS was surpassed by the Social Democrats . SDS placed second in the 2011 parliamentary elections but managed to secure support for a SDS-led coalition government, forming the second Janša Cabinet . The government took office in
4059-406: The demands of the protesters (while 27% did not). PM Janša labelled the protesters as the "extreme left" in an English-language tweet and claimed that the slogan death to janšism, freedom to the people (a play on words on a popular anti-Axis resistance slogan) that was being used by some protesters constituted a death threat to him and all his voters. The police launched – on recommendation from
Slovenian Democratic Party - Misplaced Pages Continue
4158-474: The dismissal to insure the impartiality and independence of EU national statistical offices. Janša initially justified the dismissal by citing an alleged lack of "responsiveness" to government requests, however, responding to news reports of the letter, Janša responded on Twitter with "[...] I didn’t receive your letter, but press did. @govSlovenia replaced a political appointee as Statistics Office head with an expert with 30 y of experience in this Office. Hope this
4257-544: The early pandemic response. On 30 June, investigators from the National Bureau of Investigations carried out multiple searches in connection with the supplies procurement, including of the premises of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The Minister of Economic Development and Technology was briefly detained while the Minister of Interior and general director of police both announced their resignation due to
4356-424: The economic downturn. Finance Minister Janez Šuštaršič pledged to speed up privatisation of state enterprises, cut public spending, and reduce budget shortfalls. Janša additionally pledged to cut taxes, remove regulations, lower the deficit, and raise the retirement age. The coalition passed laws transferring all state-owned enterprises into a single state holding company to accelerate privatisation efforts, and created
4455-531: The economic response to the pandemic outfall) to access confidential and highly sensitive raw econometric data collected by the Office. The pre-term dismissal was unprecedented in the nation's history. The board of the Office requested a constitutional evaluation of the dismissal. The dismissal prompted the EU Commissioner for Economy to address a letter to the Slovene government demanding a justification of
4554-408: The elections illegitimate and "stolen", and demanded fresh elections. In 2018, SDS sued the state for alleged financial damages the party incurred due to the alleged election "theft", and lost the case. With a campaign largely based on anti-immigration populist rhetoric, SDS topped public opinion polls heading into the 2018 parliamentary election. The incendiary electoral campaign sparked a rally under
4653-602: The epidemic by ceasing to provide the relevant information to the Anti-Corruption Commission which is responsible for publication, thus making the state procurement process opaque to the public. The incident, dubbed "the Mask Affair" by the media, led to conflicting statements from two government ministers about whether the order was pre-paid and whether the masks were en route or actually never existed, and reports of sketchy businesses involved in
4752-469: The first two rounds, the National Assembly can decide with relative majority of votes, to hold the third round, where only relative majority is needed to elect a prime minister. After being elected Prime Minister-elect proposes his government to the National Assembly. Government is elected with relative majority. Only after the government is elected and sworn in, Prime Minister and ministers take their offices. Swearing-in ceremony takes place immediately after
4851-445: The flagship national newspaper Delo as subsidiary, PM Janša secured editorial influence over the newspaper while Laško would be allowed to acquire a stake in a state-owned grocery store corporation. A new, government-friendly editor-in-chief was installed despite overwhelming opposition from the newspaper's staff, and nearly a dozen of the newspaper's journalists resigned in protest. The remaining journalists found reporting critically on
4950-542: The food price increases are an opportunity to address the overindulgence of Slovenian consumers. In the 2008 parliamentary election (held on 21 September 2008) narrowly lost against the Social Democrats , until then the main opposition party. It also lost one seat in Slovenian Parliament, falling to 28. With the election of the Social Democrat leader Borut Pahor as Prime Minister of Slovenia,
5049-428: The government (saying that they escaped from a mental hospital and were infected with "virus COVID-Marx/Lenin") that prompted a lawsuit against the institution by the subjects of the tweet. The official explanation for the inappropriate communications – unauthorised access to the account by an unknown individual – was later refuted by the police. The government temporarily suspended public financial disclosures during
SECTION 50
#17327830658825148-471: The government and lead to self-censorship while journalists are also being prevented from covering issues that may go against the interests of the owners. SDS foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel had previously advised media owners to consider thoroughly whether a battle with the government is in their interest. SDS rejected accusations of impropriety, claiming the media was in fact controlled by leftist opposition groups. The first Cabinet of Janez Janša oversaw
5247-482: The government enabled increased political control of the state media organisation's editorial board and its board of directors by increasing the number of board members appointed by the government. The law faced a referendum challenge, but was approved by a tight margin as it also promised to lower compulsory contributions for the broadcaster's funding. In a secret 2007 deal with the head of the Laško Brewery that owned
5346-464: The government increasingly difficult due to pressure from the new leadership. In 2008, after a souring of relations, the head of Laško accused Janša of threatening him with arrest if he refused to sell the Delo newspaper company. In 2007, over five hundred journalists launched a petition against political pressures on the media. The petition accused premier Janša of limiting press freedom in particular, but
5445-433: The government swiftly replaced the leadership of the police, army, and intelligence services, which was also practice of the majority of the previous governments. The dismissed general secretary of police had just recently been admonished by an SDS politician to "consider her future" after she refused to make available information during a parliamentary oversight meeting due to a lack of legal authority for her to do so. Among
5544-492: The highest possible salaries allowed by law to its ministers and state secretaries before reducing government functionaries' wages by 30% for the duration of the epidemic. A state crisis office was created to confront the epidemic. The official Twitter account of the crisis office that was meant to inform the public about the epidemic frequently retweeted articles from SDS's official party newspaper and published an offensive and slanderous statement about four prominent critics of
5643-498: The information being solicited were reportedly details regarding a criminal investigation into foreign financing of SDS-affiliated media organisations. The new government politicised the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), swapping two acting heads of the organisation in rapid succession after they fell out of favour (the second after saying the government's measures lacked scientific basis). PM Janša disparaged
5742-484: The investigation. The government decided to carry out press briefings without physical presence of journalists during the coronavirus, a practice similar to those of Austria, European Commission and other. Janša published a lengthy essay entitled "War with the Media" on his official Facebook account where he expounded on his view on the media. The text was also published on the official government website, and shared on
5841-427: The issue made during a gathering of regional politicians and businessmen; Janša dismissed concerns regarding rising food prices, saying that "as long as there are loaves of bread in every city dumpster the situation isn't alarming". Economic Development Minister Andrej Vizjak similarly addressed cost of living concerns by saying that citizens "should not be loath to occasionally eat yesterday's bread", going on to say that
5940-556: The late 1980s. Its first president was the trade union leader France Tomšič , who in December 1987 organized a milestone workers' strike which lead to the establishment of an independent trade union, Neodvisnost, thus following the example of the Solidarity movement in Poland , and, in 1989, the party (which was the first opposition party in the former communist world). Tomšič was replaced as leader by Jože Pučnik later that year while
6039-551: The local Slovenian Catholic Church supported it more than any other Slovenian political party. Even though not a nominally Christian party, the local church has stood fully and unconditionally behind it. On 3 October 2004, SDS won the 2004 parliamentary election with 29.1% of the popular vote and 29 out of 88 seats. SDS then formed a coalition with New Slovenia (NSi), the Slovenian People's Party (SLS), and Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia (DeSUS), holding
SECTION 60
#17327830658826138-425: The lowest public opinion ratings of any government in the nation's history, coalition partners began to depart from the coalition. The government finally collapsed after a vote of no confidence, and a PS consensus candidate, Alenka Bratušek , was appointed as PM (despite some protests that continued to demand a snap election). On 20 March 2013, the second Janša cabinet was replaced by the cabinet of Alenka Bratušek ,
6237-450: The media regarding the faltering performance, SDS officials blamed the government's alleged populist economic policies and a disproportionately hostile news media, while independent political analysts pointed to the big tent populist appeal of the ruling LMŠ party and its leader that attracted some traditionally conservative voters, and the momentous changes in the political environment and nature of SDS since 2011-2012 . In early 2020,
6336-687: The merger of two distinct political parties, being the legal successor of both of the Social Democratic Union of Slovenia and the Slovenian Democratic Union , member parties of the Democratic Opposition of Slovenia (DEMOS) which defeated the Communist Party of Slovenia -derived parties in the first democratic Slovenian election in 1990. The Social Democratic Union of Slovenia had emerged from an independent, anti-Communist trade union movement in
6435-551: The midst of the European debt crisis , instituting widely disliked austerity reforms which helped spark a series of massive anti-government protests . Opposition to the government was further fueled by corruption allegations against Janša, including his alleged involvement in the Patria affair as well as a 2013 KPK report which found that Janša had violated corruption prevention measures. The SDS-led government collapsed in early 2013 after losing support of coalition partners. At
6534-505: The official Facebook account of the Slovenian government as a paid advertisement. The government's social media accounts were also being used to share other political statements by the PM and to publicise his weekly call-in talk show on the SDS-linked Nova24TV TV channel. In the text Janša discissed the freedom of media and the balace of left-leaning and right-leaning media in Slovenia. Upon taking office,
6633-577: The official ceremony celebrating the Statehood Day Slovenian anti-government protester Zlatan Čordić interrupted the ceremony with megaphone and yelled at the President Borut Pahor and others present. Police later explained that due to possible interruptions it had to close the ceremony area because of protection of foreign guests, especially diplomatic corps. Before the ceremony anti-government protesters, among which
6732-489: The parliamentary threshold, joining a Liberal Democracy of Slovenia -led coalition government. In 1993, Janez Janša , another prominent pro-democracy dissident turned politician, became party leader (a post he has held continuously since); Janša also served as Minister of Defense between 1990 and 1994. In 1994, Janša was ousted from his ministerial post due to his involvement in the Depala Vas affair ; SDS consequently left
6831-413: The period of sustained growth, instead opting for pork barrel politics , reducing tax burdens while engaging in economic populist overspending, making the country particularly susceptible to the coming economic crisis . Andrej Bajuk , Minister of Finance in Janša's first cabinet, listed the passage of comprehensive tax reform (which included the lowering of corporate taxes and taxes on juridical persons,
6930-422: The premiership in 2012. He was one of the defendants being tried for corruption as result of a 2006 bribery scandal involving charges of accepting kickbacks to fund his party's electoral campaign. Media reports alleging Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency was "infiltrated" by members of SDS also surfaced. Amid mounting pressure from continuing anti-government protests, a strike of public sector workers, and
7029-402: The procurement process was also summarily dismissed shortly after the investigation was launched. NPU and UPPD were additionally also carrying out a criminal investigation into foreign financing of SDS-affiliated media. The government also dismissed the head of the national Statistical Office, reportedly because he did not allow an informal government working group (that was tasked with crafting
7128-400: The prominent Slovenian pro-independence and pro-democracy dissident Jože Pučnik , who resigned in 1993. The party was part of the Democratic Opposition of Slovenia (DEMOS) coalition . The party's early ideological orientation was liberal , social democratic , and civic nationalist , reflecting a broad and somewhat fragmented coalition. In the 1992 parliamentary elections, SDS barely passed
7227-456: The public procurement process that were anticipating exorbitant profit margins from the deal. In a series or revelations, various government and allied politicians were found to have exerted pressure on the organisation tasked with crisis procurement, or influenced/attempted to influence the procurement process in favour of particular suppliers (that were sometimes offering less appropriate or more expensive products, or would be delivering them on
7326-469: The public), cutting wages for public sector employees, reducing education funding, social transfers and benefits. The draft of the law sparked a public sector general strike, and the law faced the possibility of a referendum. The SDS-led government proved impotent in stemming the economic troubles facing the nation. Despite the momentous reforms efforts, the economic troubles intensified, resulting in increasing levels of unemployment, plunging living standards,
7425-493: The resignation of the Finance Minister Andrej Bertoncelj (LMŠ) and previously announced resignation of Minister of Health Aleš Šabeder (LMŠ) due to disagreements around new healthcare legislation. On 25 February 2020 President Pahor concluded the second round of consultations with political parties. Parties that are forming the new government confirmed the coalition agreement which was signed on
7524-484: The resignation of the finance minister due to intra-government disagreements regarding the crafting of a health insurance reform bill precipitated the resignation of PM Šarec, who called for an early election. SDS was however able to secure support for the formation of a new SDS-led government by forming a coalition with New Slovenia , Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia (DeSUS) , and Modern Centre Party (SMC) . While all three parties had expressed clear opposition to
7623-476: The ruling Social Democrats. In 2009, the MP Franc Pukšič left the Slovenian Democratic Party and joined the Slovenian People's Party ; the SDS parliamentary group was thus reduced from 28 to 27 MPs. In the 2011 snap parliamentary election (held on 4 December after the centre-left governing coalition collapsed due to internal conflict and inefficacy in passing meaningful economic reforms), SDS won 26.19% of
7722-560: The ruling regarding his appeal of the Patria verdict. The Constitutional Court decided to annul the Higher Court's decision in April 2015, returning it to the lower courts for retrial. In September of the same year, the statute of limitations of the Patria case expired. SDS representatives expressed the belief that the trial was politically motivated and that the imprisonment of the party frontman unfairly hindered their election efforts, declaring
7821-582: The same day. On 26 February 2020 President of the Republic Borut Pahor proposed to the National Assembly Janez Janša as candidate for Prime Minister. On 3 March 2020 Janez Janša was elected Prime Minister with 52 votes, which means 3 opposition MPs voted for him, most probably MPs of SNS . Jani Ivanuša (SNS) also publicly stated he would support Janša. On 6 March 2020 Prime Minister-elect Janez Janša proposed to
7920-562: The secret intelligence service and cast a negative shadow on the policies of previous governments. The first SDS government was the target of widespread criticism due to allegations of meddling in the independence of the press. The first SDS government has been accused of politicising the independent press by appointing political allies to leadership and journalist positioned in the state Slovenian Press Agency , daily newspaper Delo , regional newspaper Primorske novice , and public media and broadcasting organisation, RTV Slovenia . The government
8019-403: The time of the 2014 parliamentary elections, SDS leader Janša was serving a prison sentence for a bribery conviction (which was later overturned by the supreme court and subsequently expired upon re-trial); SDS placed second. SDS won a plurality of votes in the 2018 election, however, most of the other parliamentary parties made pre-election pledges not to join a coalition government with SDS. After
8118-476: The title "Without Fear — Against the Politics of Hatred", with some 2,000-3,000 heart-shaped balloon-carrying marchers in attendance. During the 2018 electoral campaign, SDS also begun to send postable questionnaires ("voter consults") to Slovene households. The questionnaires contained loaded questions and proposals (e.g. "... Do you support SDS's proposal that the healthcare system be set in order?"). The effort
8217-602: The vote, gaining 26 seats in the National Assembly , thus making SDS the second-largest parliamentary party after the newly formed centre-left party, Positive Slovenia (PS) (headed by Ljubljana mayor Zoran Janković ), which won 28 MPs (28.5% of the total). However, SDS succeeded in forming a ruling four-party coalition government (which included the Civic List , New Slovenia , Slovenian People's Party , and Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia ) (holding
8316-606: The vote. Cabinet level positions are those of Prime Minister, ministers and ministers without portfolio. Others are present at the cabinet meetings (e.g. Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Secretary-General of the Government, Head of the Government Legal Service, state secretaries in the Office of the Prime Minister etc.). State secretaries can substitute ministers when absent. If Prime Minister
8415-619: The winning Liberal Democracy of Slovenia (LDS) and entered the cabinet of Janez Drnovšek . Janša became party leader in 1993 after Jože Pučnik resigned due to health issues (Pučnik later became the honorary president of the party, a function he held until his death in January 2003). In 1995, the National Democratic Party joined SDS, which thus became one of the legal successors of the Slovenian Democratic Union . Janša served as Minister of Defense from 1990 to 1994. Janša has been accused of having abused his position to consolidate political power, engaging in arms trafficking to arm combatants in
8514-708: The worst violence in the nation's history as an independent state, with small groups of young, violent extremists - likely members of far-right and hooligan groups - clashing with police. In early 2013, the instability and public resentment was compounded after the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption revealed both PM Janez Janša and the leader of the largest opposition party (PS), Zoran Janković , violated anti-corruption laws by failing to report or account for assets in their possession and received income/payments. Janša also faced graft charges even before ascending to
8613-435: The year 2000, the party applied for membership in the European People's Party (EPP). The rightward shift culminated in the 2003 name change from Social Democratic Party to Slovenian Democratic party. The party was described as liberal-conservative or conservative-liberal in ideological orientation. The party's radical populism , nationalistic , and xenophobic attacks was also observed by political analysts. Moreover,
8712-428: Was a bout of inflation (which occurred during the 2007-08 period and was steepest for foodstuff prices). At the close of 2007, the inflation rate in Slovenia was the highest of any Eurozone member. Janša, Finance Minister Bajuk and other government officials pointed to high oil prices and a non-competitive internal food market as the main underlying causes for the inflation. Janša faced criticism for his statement regarding
8811-508: Was a lot of suggestions that we not accept this removal. I could have done that. But I didn't." In 1995, Janša was charged for alleged illegal arms trafficking, but the case was never brought to trial. SDS remained in opposition for the next 10 years, except for a brief period in 2000, when it entered a short-lived centre-right government led by Andrej Bajuk , while gaining popularity among – as described by one of its former supporters , Peter Jambrek – "lower, frustrated social strata". After
8910-412: Was accused of using state-owned funds and companies with controlling stakes in newspaper companies to purge critical editors and journalists. State-owned companies also ceased purchasing adverts in the daily newspaper Dnevnik and weekly political magazine Mladina , two publications critical of the administration. By changing the laws governing the administration of the public broadcaster RTV Slovenia,
9009-543: Was also more broadly aimed against all infringements of press freedom by either government, political actors in general, or media company owners. The International Press Institute voiced support for the petition and called on the government to create an independent body to investigate the claims of media influence. The Association of European Journalists warned in 2007 of Slovene media companies' boards interfering in journalistic autonomy, reprimanding journalists and fostering other conditions that prevent critical reporting about
9108-639: Was apparently part of the party's electoral campaign, and likely fashioned on Hungarian "national consultations", which the country's ruling party has practiced for years. SDS once again emerged as winner in the 3 June 2018 parliamentary election , garnering 24.92% of the vote and winning 25 MP seats. However, the party was unlikely to be able to shore up needed support for a governing coalition, as most parliamentary parties ( List of Marjan Šarec , Social Democrats , Modern Centre Party , The Left , Party of Alenka Bratušek , and Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia ) had declared that they would not participate in
9207-472: Was at the same time covertly preparing to secure the state and prevent a military takeover. In a press conference shortly prior to the article's publication, Janša pointed to documents detailing these police plans to secure state institutions to argue that a coup was in fact afoot against his Ministry. In a 1999 interview with Delo , Janša commented on the events of 1994, saying: "I held immense power in my hands. [...] And in 1994, when they were deposing me, there
9306-409: Was being investigated due to allegations of corruption. The protests soon picked up momentum and spread across the country , becoming the largest in the independent republic's history. Protestors' main grievances were the harsh austerity measures imposed by the ruling government, looming sale-offs of state enterprises, and allegations of widespread corruption among the ruling elite. The protests also saw
9405-541: Was briefly seen making a Nazi salute in a recording of the event. 8 of the protesters were later identified and shown to have affinities for neo-Nazism, with some of them having links to or being high-ranking members of the Slovene Blood & Honour neo-Nazi group. The leader of the Yellow Wests later called on the public to join them in peaceful pro-government anti-protests at the same time and location as
9504-408: Was critical of some decision taken by the outgoing formation. On 13 March 2020 the National Assembly confirmed the list of ministers and the government took office. The prime minister is elected by the National Assembly with majority of all votes. Candidate is proposed by the president of the Republic (1st, 2nd and 3rd round) or by MPs (2nd and 3rd round only). If a prime minister is not elected in
9603-452: Was dismissed by Prime Minister Janez Drnovšek from his role as Defence Minister because of his involvement in the Depala Vas affair (which centered around an incident in which military personnel arrested and mistreated a civilian off-duty undercover police associate that was attempting to obtain classified documents about the Ministry of Defence). SDS subsequently left the Drnovšek government as
9702-425: Was formed following the resignation of Prime Minister of the 13th Government Marjan Šarec in January 2020. Janez Janša of Slovenian Democratic Party formed a coalition with Modern Centre Party , New Slovenia , and Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia . The government was confirmed on 13 March 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic . On 27 January 2020 Prime Minister Marjan Šarec (LMŠ) resigned following
9801-481: Was not reported by the dominant media and the police did not take any action. The protests were additionally fueled by the revelations regarding improprieties in the epidemic procurement process. Amnesty International Slovenia found that state actions were endangering the right to protest in Slovenia. According to polls conducted in May, 52.2% of those polled thought the protests were justified (44.1% did not), and 57% of those interviewed (in another poll) agreed with
#881118