Slovenia takes over EU Council presidency – initially corrupt

Slovenia’s right – wing national leader Janes Joncha is causing a scandal at a meeting with the European Commission. President Ursula van der Leyen intervenes.

Ljubljana – At the beginning of the presidency of the Slovenian EU Council, a meeting between the EU Commission and Prime Minister Janez Jnse erupted. According to a report by the dpa news agency on Thursday (July 1, 2021) after talks at the Firdo Congress Center, EU Commission Deputy Fran ஃபois Timmermans boycotted the date for the family photo protest because right-wing nationalist Jansa had previously spoken out against Communist judges and MPs in his country. According to the participants, a photo was also shown in which the judges, who were criticized by Jhansi, circled.

Timmermans, a social democrat, told Jotz that he could not stand on the same platform as Jansa after “unacceptably attacking and slandering two judges and two members of the Social Democrats in the EU parliament.” The independence of the judiciary and respect for the role of elected MEPs were a cornerstone of the rule of law, without which the EU could not function.

President of the Council of the European Union: President Van der Leyen advises Slovenian President

According to participants in the meeting, EU Commission President Ursula van der Leன்n Jansa pointed out that judges are allowed to have an autobiography and that they should be treated with respect even if they have a different political opinion. A spokesman for the Slovenian presidency initially declined to comment. He pointed out that the conversations were confidential.

Van der Leyen did not initially mention the incident at a joint press conference with Jansa. However, she warned him to abide by the rule of law. Confidence is the most valuable asset of the EU. It also includes confidence in an independent justice system. An EU official spoke of “excessive provocation.”

Slovenia accepts EU Council presidency from Portugal

Slovenia seized the presidency of the Council of the European Union, which changes every six months from Portugal just hours before. During its presidency, the former Yugoslav Republic, among other things, wants to work for rapid progress in EU access negotiations with the yet-to-be-allowed Balkan countries. Because of Jansa’s controversial political stance, the country should fear that other issues will cover up the presidency.

Jane Jansa has been fired, among others, for obstructing the work of the new European public prosecutor’s office by preventing the sending of two Slovenian lawyers. He is accused of attacking the freedom of the press and civil society, as well as supporting controversial Hungarian law restricting information on homosexuality.

Slovenia has been a member of the European Union and NATO since 2004

As a small country of about 2.1 million people, Slovenia generally does not have a particularly large influence on European decision-making processes. However, in the event of disagreements between EU countries during the EU presidency, it will play an important mediating role for six months. Slovenia has been a member of the European Union and NATO since 2004.

Due to the disruption of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, European politicians at the beginning of the Council presidency asked the EU Commission to use the new EU approval tool to stop payments to Slovenia from the social budget. According to a letter initiated by German Green MPs Daniel Bryant, Francesca Brandner and Sergei Lagodinsky, the country’s recent developments require immediate action by the European Union.

Criticism of the President of Slovenia

Left-wing M.E.P. There were also harsh criticisms from Martin Shirdevan. “The current head of government, Jhansi, is intimidating journalists in his home country and cutting money from media outlets that are not loyal to the government,” he said. However, the Council Presidency has no plans for content beyond “safely out of the corona epidemic”.

Asim Post, deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary committee in Puntestock, said: “Of course, it is now important for the Slovenian EU Council to support the presidency as much as possible in ensuring that Europe remains united during the crisis.” But that doesn’t mean in any way that Jhansi can handle baby gloves for the next few months.

At a press conference with Van der Ley on Thursday, Jhansi denied all allegations and asked for support for his priorities for the EU Council presidency. He said EU expansion was a strategic answer to key challenges. Others warned of the interests of countries such as China and Russia in the Balkans if the EU did not expand. (dpa)

Rubik Image: © JURE MAKOVEC / AFP