This week, the European Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group were met with empty chairs and online insults from the Slovenian Prime Minister during their delegation visit. While meetings with civil society and journalists gave good insight into the worrying state of the media landscape in Slovenia, it was alarming that the Slovenian government, a sitting presidency of the EU, refused to meet with MEPs to address concerns. As a result, the S&D Group will push for a European Parliament resolution on the situation in Slovenia in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the end of the delegation’s three days of meetings, S&D representative Cyrus Engerer MEP said:

“We came to Slovenia with an open mind to find out about the state of the rule of law and media freedom, but we were met by a Slovenian government that wanted to undermine the scrutiny and accountability work of the European Parliament. Our meetings with NGOs, civil society and media representatives gave us cause for concern on the deteriorating state of media freedom, in particular in Slovenia. We were due to raise these concerns with the Prime Minister and Ministers directly, but once again we were faced with an empty chair. It was unfortunate that Prime Minister Janša and his government avoided any discussion with Parliament’s monitoring group, instead firing out personal attacks and intimidating insults on social media. We also intended to send a clear message that the PM should make sure the Slovenian Presidency advances the cases of Article 7 proceedings against Poland and Hungary in the Council. The Prime Minister’s behaviour this week was not only disrespectful and offensive, but it sends a clear signal that his government is unfit to chair the presidency of the European Union. The EPP Group also needs to step in here and send a message that the situation in Slovenia is not acceptable, before they make the same mistakes they did with Viktor Orbán.”

MEPs involved
Member
Malta
S&D press contact