On Thursday, Slovenia took over the rotating presidency of the European Union, led by Prime Minister Janez Janša, who is widely seen as a friend of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and, according to critics, the instigator of Slovenia’s illiberal Hungarian democracy.
This is also due to the fact that many people fear that the Slovenian presidency will manage EU affairs according to the needs of the Hungarian government, not to mention that Janez Janša regularly interferes in the debate with the EU on the rule of law and freedom of the press.
It is no coincidence that Slovenia is considered an “export destination for Urbanism”. Ljubljana Driving Fence with the public media, Many scientific and cultural institutions have been headed by pro-government leaders who have been active in politics for 30 years The prime minister’s party has shifted from left to right during his long tenure. It is also no coincidence that media groups close to the Hungarian government are difficult they expand In our neighbors in the southwest.
Dispute, infringement action
The other is that, unlike other EU politicians, Janez Janša did not criticize the Hungarian head of state for anti-gay regulations on the sexual exploitation of children law, but instead called on EU leaders to avoid unnecessary debate. He defended Viktor Orban at the European Council summit last week, and that’s why Also received a question At a press conference with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on Thursday. He replied that everyone agreed that gays should have the same rights, but not everyone in the 27-member European Union believed the same.
As for Ursula von der Leyen, she said, no one disputes the right of parents to raise children, the debate is about discrimination against a minority in Hungary. He added that the decision to start infringement proceedings in the case could be formally taken at next week’s meeting of the European Commission, moreover, the first step was that the Brussels Commission wrote a letter on the matter. Error Urban government replied he is.
China in the background coughing discreetly
As for the possible effects of the Slovenian presidency, Janez Janša is sure to be fine with his fellow Hungarian and their vision for the future of the union may be similar, as Viktor Orban will be replaced by Georgia Meloni, the leader of the outlying region. Italian Right and Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland having dinner.
The leadership of Ljubljana faces serious challenges: the issue of the pandemic, the launch of the EU economy, the European Commission’s recovery fund of 750 billion euros, the strengthening of EU integration in the Western Balkans, however, the focus will be on the rule of law, as Slovenia has promised to “strengthen the rule of law and European values.” “. But a lot of people long for it, Because of Yansha’s proximity to Urban.
Although Slovenian President Borut Pahor gave the Associated Press to the US news agency in his interview He vowed that his country would not deviate from the path of Slovenian liberalism a program As if Orban’s line appears, one is to organize discussions about the future of Europe, and the other is to sharply distinguish between immigration, including securing the EU’s borders, and legal and illegal immigration.
Accelerate the accession process of the Western Balkan countries euronews He notes that some EU member states, such as Germany and France, are reluctant to expand, especially due to internal problems such as epidemic management and resistance from eastern member states. However, according to the Slovenian president, the reluctance is only in favor of Russian and Chinese influence.
Interestingly, Politico writes that the Slovenian presidency is in favor of China, as the Ljubljana government is likely to focus on working out the technical details of a frozen EU-China investment agreement. the agreement Brussels and Beijing And sealed against Washington’s opposition but because of mutual sanctions العقوبات Delayed ratification. Slovenia, on the other hand, is suspected of paving the way for ratification, which is probably not opposed by the larger member states, Budapest.
It should be noted that the diplomatic advisor to Chinese President Chen Qingping visited Slovenia in May and conveyed the message that further development of bilateral relations is in the interests of the EU and China.
In any case, Slovenian diplomats are well prepared to preside over the country for six months, and it is rumored that they fear Janez Jansa will find something to say that would lower the country’s image. The Slovenian prime minister has repeatedly reached out to EU leaders criticizing the state of Slovenian democracy on Twitter.
