Robert Golob | SLEEPING WITH PENGOVSKY

The Little Referendum That Couldn’t

Talk about a massive political screw-up. After working up a rare case of bipartisan policy support, and on energy at that (!), major political parties on Monday abruptly walked away from a referendum on the second nuclear powerplant in Krško (JEK2).

A picture of Krško nuclear powerplant with a referendum question blended in. — *There will be no referendum on JEK2 in the near future*

pengovsky should note this does not mean JEK2 is cancelled. On the larger scale of things, this clusterfuck probably will not even count as a noticeable delay. Politically however, this is – to borrow a phrase – a bitchslap heard around Muddy Hollows.

Alt-F4 For Emilija Stojmenova Duh

Originally, this post was to be about PM Robert Golob finally finding a new defence minister. And a new education minister, while he was at it. But while those two will eventually get a mention on this here blog, the story this week is about Emilija Stojmenova Duh, who resigned as minister of digital transformation on Thursday.

Emilija Stojmenova Duh in a Microsoft Windows frame, about to be closed. — *Emilija Stojmenova Duh getting her political window closed*

The embattled digital minister has been on the chopping block for some time, for reasons that were both within and without her purview. And while the Big Bird reiterated that he has the minister’s back, it didn’t take long for him to push her under the proverbial bus. Or, in this case, under a government limousine with flashing blue lights.

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.

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.