A Begining of a Beautiful Friendship
A Slovene version of this
Social Democrats (SD) are about to become the second strongest party in the parliament. As of yesterday it is confirmed that MPs Tone Rop, Darja Lavtižar Bebler, Milan Cvikl and Marko Pavliha (formerly of LDS) will switch allegiances and join the Social Democracts (ther caucus, to be exact).
The move has grave implications as LDS loses a couple of its prominent members - especially Tone Rop (former PM, former president of LDS and until today head of its parliamentary caucus) and Marko Pavliha (sitting vice-president of the parliament). Combined with the fact that Social Democrats have - according to recent polls - taken the top spot in voting preferences for the first time in the entire history of independent Slovenia, the possible coalition between Janša’s SDS and Pahor’s SD in autumn 2008 seems more and more likely.
A bad thing? I’m not sure… It might be fun, though… Pahor has “foreign minister” practically stamped on his forehead. I just hope he doesn’t run for president this autumn. One would hate to see such political talent (this is not a compliment, I’m merely stating a fact) wasted trying to fill the shoes of an unpredictable Janez D.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:31 am
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as remarkable as the disintegration of the LDS. I remember that when I moved here, they were the only show in town. And now they’re essentially living in a gutter. It baffles me.
The rise of the SD strikes me as almost equally baffling.
Basically, anything involving Slovenian politics is befuddling.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:07 am
Slovene politics does indeed follow its own particular mechanics. It’s not easy to comprehend, but basically it boils down to this:
1)Only one party will be dominant on the political left and right respectively
2)The dominant party will be centred around its leader. Without him it is nothing
3)Sooner or later the debate will focus on WWII
4)Zmago Jelinčič will always make the 4% cut required to get seats in the parliament
But contrary to you, I was shocked by the fact that SD didn’t start rising sooner. The disaster of LDS is going on for two years now.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:08 am
[…] 2006 - municipal elections 2007 - presidentital election 2008 - parliamentary elections 2009 - European elections 2010 - municipal elections 2011 - take a deep breath 2012 - general (presidential and parliamentary) elections From a scientific point of view this gives us an ideal opportunity to follow the flow of politics, as agenda setting will by default be influenced by upcoming elections every year. You’ve had the opportunity to observe this on this blog throughout 2007 as assasination of character of President of the Republic took place. Why? To prevent him from running again, making room for a more “appropriate candidate” and to diminish the role of the President as such. Next, it is almost obvious that 2008 will be the year of “great achievements” of this government as it will try to boost its ratings and secure another mandate. I’ve full confidence in PM Janša in that departement (please note the sarcasm), although it is entirely possible that the next coalition will be ruled by these two characters And the pattern will repeat itself every year until 2012. On one hand, this is bad of course. With the ruling coalition up to its neck in a reelection bid, little actual work will get done, so I shan’t be surprised if Slovenia finds itself lagging in development in 2013. […]