EU | SLEEPING WITH PENGOVSKY

Vladimir Prebilič, Talk Dirty To Me

Vladimir Prebilič made a bit of a poo-poo yesterday in the European parliament. Addressing the recent tragedy in Novi Sad, where a collapsed canopy killed fifteen people and the role that Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić and his cronies played in this, he began his speech in Serbian.

Vladimir Prebilič during his ill-fated address. — *Vladimir Prebilič speaking in the European Parliament (source)*

This sent the more nationalistic elements in Slovenia, Croatia and even Serbia flying off the hook. It also showed Prebilič to be a political nincompoop, whose grandstanding came to a screeching halt on a point of order.

The Kos That Caught The (Enlargement) Car

Marta Kos is slated to be come the commissioner for EU enlargement in the next European Commission. The announcement was part of Ursula von der Leyen’s big reveal on Tuesday and it left Slovenian PM Robert Golob positively giddy.

Marta Kos, as she appears on the cover of her official European Commission CV. — *Marta Kos on her official European Commission CV (source)*

Despite ever-increasing evidence to the contrary, Muddy Hollows continues to see itself as something of a Balkan protector saint, when it comes to the EU. Which is why successive Slovenian governments were pining to win the enlargement portfolio over the past couple of commission cycles. Yesterday, the dog has finally caught the car. Now what?

Tomaž Vesel Dropped Like A Hot Potato. Will Marta Kos or Tanja Fajon Swoop In?

It was six months ago, almost to the day, when PM Robert Golob announced Tomaž Vesel as his party’s pick for a post in the next European Commission. And in the face of skepticism and concerns, the Big Bird was resolute in supporting the nominee. Until Friday afternoon, that is.

Marta Kos and Tanja Fajon are leading contenders for the next EU commissioner from Slovenia after Tomaž Vesel dropped out — *(L-R: Marta Kos, Tanja Fajon, Tomaž Vesel. One is not like the other two)*

Vesel wasn’t the strongest pick to begin with. But in doing what he does best, Golob was staunchly behind his man, until the moment he threw him under the bus. And so Vesel was probably as surprised as the media were yesterday afternoon, when he found out he was stepping away from the nomination. And pengovsky is only half joking there.

Mr. Prebilič Goes To Brussels (What Happened in the EU Election)

The votes are in and the man smiling all the way to Brussels is Janez Janša. Well, not him personally as he didn’t stand in Sunday’s EU election. But his SDS won four out of nine MEP seats for Slovenia, making the Glorious Leader a clear winner at the ballot box.

The EU election this past Sunday in gave us nine MEPs from Slovenia. — (from top left: Tomc, Zver, Tomašič, Grims, Tonin, Šarec, Joveva, Nemec, Prebilič)

PM Golob’s GS won two seats, retaining his party’s current EP representation. But two is only half of four. And even though the ruling party came within an inch of securing a third seat, which would have likely came at the expense of SDS, it is the end result that counts.

Four Referendums And An EU Vote

In case you haven’t heard, there’s an EU vote on this Sunday in Muddy Hollows. Not just Muddy Holows but this is what this here blog deals in. And since there are also a couple of referendum votes attached, it is high time pengovsky writes this shit up.

In this case, shit is not just a casual swear word. Because two of the referendum questions deal with legalisation of marijuana. Bongy Hollows, as it were. Then there is a question on changes to the voting system and – the big one – a referendum on medical aid in dying.

Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 5)

In an inexplicable bout of na¨ivete, pengovsky really did expect Slovenian recognition of Palestine to actually happen this time around. Well, not so fast, said Janez Janša.

Slovenian recognition of Palestine is once again bogged down in parliamentary procedure. — *Recognition of Palestine is once again bogged down in parliamentary procedure*

The recognition will still likely happen, but probably not before the EU/referendums vote on Sunday. And oddly enough, there is a non-zero chance this somehow ends up helping Robert Golob.

Like A Bad Penny, Borut Pahor Keeps Turning Up

While pengovsky was in the US chasing the solar eclipse, Borut Pahor was apparently chasing an EU gig. After none of the high-profile jobs he so often hinted at panned out (to great astonishment of a grand total of zero people), the former president would now like to be the EU’s Kumbaya man for Kosovo and Serbia.

Borut Pahor and Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić — *Aca Vučić and Borut Pahor (right) (source)*

Officially styled as EU Special Representative for Belgrade – Priština dialogue and other Western Balkans regional issues, it is a thankless job. The gig mostly involves coming up with excuses to organise meet-ups between Aca Vučić and whoever Kosovo’s top ćulaf is at any given time, while allowing the two countries can continue to pretend the other doesn’t exist.