World Affairs | SLEEPING WITH PENGOVSKY

Stupid Before The Storm: Mother Of All Walkbacks

Slowly, with the speed of a decrepit snail on valium, pengovsky is bringing this blog up to speed all the stupid that happened in the lull before the campaign storm. And at last, we get to take a look at the NATO near-miss that made everyone look up and ask whether Slovenian political class really is capable of handling this sovereign state thingy.

NATO and Muddy Hollows. because pengovsky couldn't be bothered with yet another picture of PM Golob to represent the mother of all walkbacks — *NATO and Muddy Hollows. because pengovsky couldn’t be bothered with yet another picture of PM Golob*

As everyone knows by now, there will not be a referendum on Slovenian NATO membership. There will not even be a referendum on defence spending resolution. In fact, six weeks after nearly sleepwalking into a clusterfuck of epic proportions, people involved are pretending like the whole thing never happened.

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.

Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 6, Finale)

After a day of tense politics, procedural manoeuvering in the parliament and dubious life choices in general, Slovenia last night recognised the State of Palestine.

Flag of Palestine was raised in front of the foreign ministry as Slovenia established formal diplomatic relations, despite Janez Janša doing everything to stop the vote in the parliament. — Palestinian flag was raised in front of the foreign ministry

Predictably, however, the more the debate dragged on, the less it was about Palestine and the more it was becoming about domestic politics, electoral soundbites and pure brinkmanship.

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.

Notes On Slovenian Recognition of Palestine (Part 4)

On Thursday, PM Robert Golob announced Slovenia will recognise the State of Palestine. Technically, a formal act by the parliament establishing diplomatic relations is still needed. But as the ruling centre-left coalition has a comfortable majority, this will most likely not be a problem.

The Ljubljana Castle was lit up in the colours of Palestine after Robert Golob annouced the recognition of the state. — *Ljubljana Castle was lit up in Palestinian colours the other day (source)*

Thus, come Tuesday, weeks of foreign policy enthusiasm followed by carefully scripted walk-backs will come to an end. And Muddy Hollows will finally establish top-level diplomatic relations with the remnants of West Bank and Gaza.

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.