Prime Minister Janša accused of bargaining to maintain power
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Prime Minister Janez Janša is facing accusations that his government was built and held together through improper bargaining. The claims arrive alongside a series of corruption investigations into his cabinet, including a probe by the anti-corruption commission into the Health Minister's business deals and a separate inquiry into undisclosed donations for the Democrats' recent campaign. The Deputy Prime Minister has so far met questions about the lavish campaign's funding with silence.
The reach of political influence is the morning's recurring theme. Investigations suggest individuals close to the coalition NSI party have gained access to associated private companies, while a legal ruling has finally identified who was spying on bank accounts targeted by Žugelj. The government is also facing a 'referendum mania' as the opposition pushes for public votes on its core policies.
Beyond the capital, the mayor of Maribor is under fire for a list of unfulfilled projects after two terms in office, and Europol has assisted in a weapons and drugs bust that saw 15 suspects detained. For those following the state's demographic shifts, the outlook remains blunt: the population is aging, the adaptation will be painful, and there are no quick solutions.