July, 2026 | SLEEPING WITH PENGOVSKY

Will Zoran Janković Finally Meet His Match?

Ljubljana mayor Zoran Janković is about to enter the wildest four months of his political career. On Sunday, the good people of Ljubljana (dubbed Ljubljanchans at some point on this blog) will vote in a referendum on a parking ordnance this coming Sunday. Exactly four months later, that same crowd will vote in local elections. In both cases, mayor Janković is, surprisingly (perhaps even to himself), forced to fight some rearguard action.

Zoran Jankovič and Tone Rop in a hot-mic moment, where Rop snaps at Janković, saying that if it weren't for him, Janković would never have become CEO of Mercator retail chain. — *Tone Rop being pissed off at Zoran Jankovič back in 2002 (source)*

The parking ordnance referendum simply refused to go away, despite Zoki’s legal maneuvering. In addition, he also seems to have finally drawn a worthy challenger in the autumn election. While names like Luka Mesec and Urška Klakočar Zupančič are being tested and retested as potential candidates, the one name that probably really rattled the mayor’s cage is former PM Tone Rop.

Miha Jazbinšek (1941 – 2026)

Miha Jazbinšek died two weeks ago, at the age of 85. Both readers of this blog probably don’t know (much) about him but pengovsky would be remiss if didn’t write this one up. Sure, he was one of the OG democratically elected ministers in Muddy Hollows. He was also one of the handful of Slovenian politicos to have a law named after themselves. But after exiting the natioanl stage, he had a long, loud and lonely career in Ljubljana city council where this blogger covered him for more than a decade.

Miha Jazbinšek during a press conference in 2009. — *Miha Jazbinšek being meticulous back in 2009 (source)*

There Jazbinšek seemingly felt most at home with his particular breed of obstinate progressive liberalism. And if that sounds like a contradiction in terms, congratulations, you’ve just met Jazzby. He drove successive mayors including Zoran Janković up the wall with his relentless debates, pointed criticism and – at least once – disagreeing with what he said minutes ago and asking for procedural time to rebut his own debate.

Who’s Who In Janša 4.0 (Part Four)

Welcome to the fourth and final part of the primer on the fourth government of Janez Janša. As promised, it includes the three remaining ministers as well as the Resnica duo currently rampaging in the parliament. It was about fucking time pengovsky finished this write up, because in the mean time shit in Muddy Hollows was happening left, right, and centre. Well mostly right, but still.

The entire complement of Janša 4.0 government meeting president Nataša Pirc Musar. Somewhere in the picture are Polona Rifelj, Mihael Zupančič and Suzana Lep Šimenko. Missing are Zoran Stevanović and Katja Kokot, for obvious reasons. — *Team Janša 4.0 meeting the Prez the other day (source)*

There are two or three referendums lined up. A potential violation of international law. An SDS MEP being kicked out of EPP. Resnica playing even bigger dumm-dumms than they are. And interesting developments in Ljubljana mayoral race. But first, read below or click here for parts one, two and three.