December, 2025 | SLEEPING WITH PENGOVSKY

In what could arguably be described as a Christmas Eve dump (or a Christmas miracle, depending on your point of view), the constitutional court hobbled a key piece of PM Robert Golob’s much-vaunted health reform. Apparently, Santa is not the only one to have a naughty and nice lists. Slovenian constitutional court has them, too. Sometimes in the same ruling.

Constitutional court annulled a key provision of the health reform by the government of Robert Golob. But it also threw him a lifeline. — *Constitutional Court provided some Christmas cheer for some. For others, not so much (source)*

That said, the court also upheld a different part of the same law, as well as deferred ruling on other points of the challenge at a later date. There are probably good reasons for this, but pengovsky would also like to think that the court decided to split the difference on key issues, kick the rest of the can down the road and tried to be home by dinner. It is Festivus, after all.

There was some very loud campaign chatter over the past few days about Vladimir Prebilič teaming up with Social Democrats for the election. Specifically, the rumour mill had it that Prerod and SD were exploring a joint candidate list. Something about not wanting to split up the vote in March next year.

Vladimir Prebilič (centre) during a late-summer election campaign stunt with puppets. This week he had an offer from SD for a joint list, but while he seemed receptive the committee of his Prerod party shot it down. This has consequences. — Vladimir Prebilič (centre) during a late-summer campaign stunt (source)

Following today’s powwow however, this will very much not be happening. Party honchos (such as they are), were debating several items, including the Prerod manifesto. But by far and large, the media was interested only in the SD story. And it turned out to be a no. This has all sorts of implications.

Month: December 2025

Court Hobbles Health Reform, But There’s A Catch