Ljubljana | SLEEPING WITH PENGOVSKY

President Zoran Janković?

President of Serbia, that is. According to reporting by N1, Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković was this close to accepting the post of prime minister of Serbia. Apparently, he backed out at the last minute. This was later confirmed by Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić himself.

Ljubljana mayor Zoran Janković and president of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić in Novi Sad, in 2019. — *President and mayor, schmoozing back in 2019 (source)*

Following this bombshell, rumours started swirling that Janković remains in the mix for a high-level position in Serbian administration, possibly even as successor to Aca Vučić, when his presidential term expires in 2027. Talk about an exit strategy…

Zoran Janković Does A Great Act of Terrible Self-harm

After numerous criminal investigations, parliamentary hearings and more or less organised attempts to form a viable political alternative, it would be more than a little ironic if the person who did the most to oust Zoran Janković as Ljubljana mayor turned out to be… Zoran Janković.

Ljubljana mayor Zoran Janković did a piss-poor job defending his letter of support to Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić — *Zoran Janković on TV SLO a few days ago (source)*

The impressive student protest movement is proving to be the greatest challenge the regime of Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić, As a result, predsedniče Aca is looking for support wherever he can find it. And as if on cue, Zoki sent a fawning letter of support to the embattled Serbian leader. This irked so many people that the seemingly forever-mayor may not actually be forever much longer. Slight panic ensued.

All Politics Is Local (Elections)

On Sunday, the good people of Muddy Hollows will again head to the polls. This time around, they will be choosing their mayors and municipal representatives in local elections. Given that local self-administration in this country is a hot mess, there is often no rhyme nor reason for things being what they are.

Exploded map of 212 municipalities in Slovenia where local elections will be held this Sunday. — *The 212 municipalities of Muddy Hollows (source)*

Slovenia has 212 municipalities, ~~twelve~~ thirteen of which have city status (thanks, Krško!). This means several thousand people will run for some elected office on Sunday. It will be a fucking mess. On the other hand, this is precisely the reason why everyone will claim victory of one sort or another.

Tear Gas, Muh Freedoms And Fun For The Whole Family

In a reprehensible, yet entirely predictable escalation of a series of anti-covid-pass protests last Tuesday, Muddy Hollows’ capital Ljubljana was the scene of a demonstration-turned-riot that saw liberal use of tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets as well as mounted and K9 units. It was, in short, fun for the whole family.

Police water canon is deployed in downtown Ljubljana, Slovenia, surrounded by riot police armed with shields and tear gas — Created with GIMP

This was in stark contrast to the week before when a similar but larger protest took place and the police more or less just stood by, dispersing the crowd only when it entered the Ljubljana bypass and briefly stopped traffic. This time around however, everyone was spoiling for a fight. The Covid-sceptic mob, the police and the government. And a fight was what everyone got.

Psychodelictual Sausage Fest (Local Elections)

You might not realise it, but this coming Sunday local (municipal) elections are to be held in all of 212 municipalities in Slovenia. If you’re asking how in the holy fuck did Muddy Hollows end up with two hundred and twelve municipalities, pengovsky can only say: don’t ask.

Destrnik hopeful Franc Pukšič sending mixed messages (source)

But if you insist and want to have your mind blown, suffice it to say it has to do with some half-baked decentralisation back in the 1990s, when the old commune system was dissolved and municipalities formed on the principle of “natural gravitation”, i.e. defining local societal centres and setting up a fairly flexible set of criteria for forming municipalities. This link provides a nice path down the rabbit hole that are Slovenian municipalities.

Continue reading Psychodelictual Sausage Fest (Local Elections)