Political career Janez Janša

1 political career

1.1 1990–1994 minister of defence
1.2 1994–2004 in opposition
1.3 2004–2008 first prime minister term
1.4 2008–2011 in opposition
1.5 2011 election , aftermath
1.6 2012–2013: second prime minister term
1.7 2013: in opposition , court trial
1.8 2014: in prison

political career
1990–1994 minister of defence

in 1989, janša involved in founding of 1 of first opposition parties in slovenia, slovenian democratic union (sdz) , became first vice-president, , later president of party council. following first free elections in may 1990 became minister of defence in lojze peterle s cabinet, position held during slovenian war independence in june , july 1991. minister of interior igor bavčar, janša main organizer s of slovenia s strategy against yugoslav people s army.

in 1992, when slovenian democratic union broke liberal , conservative wing, leaders of liberal fraction wanted propose janša compromise president of party, refused offer. after party s final breakdown, joined social democratic party of slovenia (now called slovenian democratic party) , remained defence minister in center-left coalition government of janez drnovšek until march 1994. in may 1993, elected president of social democratic party of slovenia support of jože pučnik, party s previous leader, , re-elected in 1995, 1999, 2001, 2005 , 2009.

1994–2004 in opposition

in march 1994, janša dismissed prime minister janez drnovšek consequence of smolnikar affair (also known depala vas affair). affair began when 3 military intelligence servicemen allegedly brutally arrested civilian, hired ministry of interior espionage. janša never accused of direct responsibility action, public defence of military agents carried out arrest provoked outrage in left wing sectors of public opinion. janša s stance triggered dismissal , removal of social democratic party ruling coalition. official charges against military servicemen involved later dismissed, issue remains point of controversy. janša used parliamentary debate on dismissal radical criticism of ruling coalition, including prime minister drnovšek , president milan kučan, whom accused of abusing informal connections subversive political actions. janša s dismissal caused great stir in public opinion, including mass demonstrations in support. in local elections in same year, social democratic party rose significantly, becoming main opposition force, , in 1996 parliamentary elections janša s party rose around 3.5% more 16%, becoming third largest political party in country.

during period (1994–2000), janša accused political opponents of radicalization of public discourse. went far accuse him of political extremism. janša s former friend , fellow dissident spomenka hribar heavily criticized him. accused him of extreme nationalism , chauvinism, placing feelings on rationality, , exploiting patriotic emotions among population. condemning irredentist claims towards croatia, went far denouncing policies obvious neo-fascism.

some political scientists shared view. post-marxist social scientist rudi rizman described janša s political rhetoric radical populism, close demagoguery. accused janša of nationalist , xenophobic rhetoric, including verbal attacks against foreigners, other former yugoslav states, , communists . rizman , craig nation, teaches eastern european studies @ united states army war college, have compared janša radical right-wing populist leaders of other european countries. spomenka hribar heavily criticized janša s tendency think in terms of conspiracy , rizman criticized him relying on notion of udbo-mafija , term coined architect edo ravnikar denote illegitimate structural connections between post-communist elites. during janša s premiership, sociologist rizman still outlined elements of authoritarianism, populism, , nationalism in prime minister s political style.

others challenged view. sociologist frane adam rejected assessments of janša s extremism, interpreting them product of culture wars, aimed @ blurring structural tension between 2 types of elites: on 1 hand, post-communist elites aiming @ maintaining social positions , on other hand hitherto disenfranchised new elites, found political representation in right wing parties. writer drago jančar advanced similar interpretation of animosity against janša , of saw unjustified accusations of right-wing populism.

janša remained leader of opposition until 2004, short interim between june , november 2000, when served defence minister in short-lived centre-right government of christian democrat andrej bajuk. during time introduced chaplains armed forces.

between 2000 , 2004, janša stayed in opposition. during period, supported government s efforts integration eu , nato. between 2002 , 2004, established cordial relations president of republic janez drnovšek: in 2003, drnovšek headed round table on slovenia s future based on janša s recommendations.

ahead of 2004 electoral campaign, janša turned towards moderation, tempering radical language , attacks against alleged communists. still, critics continued point out nationalistic rhetoric against immigrants.

2004–2008 first prime minister term

janez janša s cabinet in 2004

janša first time prime minister of slovenia november 2004 november 2008. during term characterized over-enthusiasm after joining eu, between 2005 , 2008 slovenian banks have seen loan-deposit ratio veering out of control, over-borrowing foreign banks , over-crediting private sector, leading unsustainable growth.

it first time after 1992 president of republic , prime minister had represented opposing political factions more few months. relationship between drnovšek , government became tense. after landslide victory of opposition candidate danilo türk in 2007 presidential election, janša filed motion of confidence in government on 15 november 2007, stating opposition s criticism interfering government s work during slovenia s presidency on european union. government won vote, held on 19 november, 51 votes supporting , 33 opposing it. in speech delivered after vote, janša announced, among other, intensification of fight against financial criminality , illegal concentration of capital in hands of single powerful managers, whom referred tycoons. in following months, slovenian police , public prosecution launched full-scale investigation against of biggest companies in country, namely against laško brewery concern.

janša @ summit of european people s party

in beginning of december 2011, several clips of recordings of closed sessions of government of slovenia during mandate of janez janša published on video-sharing website youtube.

allegations made against janez janša tried subordinate slovenian media. on 1 september 2008, 3 weeks before slovenian parliamentary elections, allegations made in finnish tv in documentary broadcast finnish national broadcasting company yle janša had received bribes finnish defense company patria (73.2% of property of finnish government) in so-called patria case. janša rejected accusations media conspiracy concocted left-wing slovenian journalists, , demanded yle provide evidence or retract story. janša s naming of individual journalists, including of behind 2007 petition against political pressure on slovenian journalists, , perceived use of diplomatic channels in attempt coerce finnish government interfering yle editorial policy, drew criticism media freedom organizations, such international press institute , european branch of international federation of journalists representative, aidan white, ifj general secretary, said (janša s) government distorting facts, failing tell slovenians truth , trying pull wool on eyes of european public attitude media .

2008–2011 in opposition

in november 2008 election, janša s party placed second , replaced prime minister borut pahor, social democrat leader. after onset of financial crisis of 2007–2010 , european sovereign-debt crisis, left-wing coalition replaced janša s government in 2008 elections, had face consequences of 2005–2008 over-borrowing; however, attempts implement reforms towards economic recovery met student protesters, led student later became member of janez janša s sds, , trade unions. proposed reforms postponed on referendum.

2011 election , aftermath

in december 2011 janša s party won second place in slovenian parliamentary elections. since prime minister-designate of first-placed party, positive slovenia, zoran janković failed secure himself enough votes in national assembly, , danilo türk, president of slovenia, declined propose janša prime minister, because janša had been charged in patria bribery case, janša proposed prime minister coalition of parties sds, sls, desus, nsi, , newly formed gregor virant s civic list on 25 january 2012. on 28 january became prime-minister elect. cabinet confirmed on 10 february, , janša became new prime minister handover pahor on same day. on 13 february president received new government , wished them luck. both parties agreed cooperation crucial success.

2012–2013: second prime minister term

during second prime minister term, lasted less 2 years, janez janša responded weakening of slovenian economy during global economic crisis , european sovereign-debt crisis opening old ideological fronts against liberal media, , against public sector – educational , cultural sectors, accusing them of being under influence of members of old regime (called udbomafia , uncles behind scenes (in slovene: strici iz ozadja )) , against doubted austerity measures forced upon slovenia right ones.

slovenian political elites faced 2012–2013 slovenian protests demanding resignation.

in january 2013, 2012–2013 investigation report on parliamentary parties leaders commission prevention of corruption of republic of slovenia revealed janez janša , zoran janković systematically , repeatedly violated law failing report assets. revealed purchase of 1 of real-estate indirectly co-funded construction firm, major government contractor. showed use of funds in amount of @ least 200.000 eur, coming unknown origin, exceeded both income , savings.

immediately after release of report, civic list issued ultimatum janša s party find party member serve new pm. since janša ignoring report , party didn t offer replacement him, 3 coalition parties , leaders left government within weeks , subjected ad hominem attacks janez janša accused sls s leader radovan Žerjav of being worst (economics) minister in history of slovenia , while leader of civic list gregor virant has been mocked janša engaging in virantovanje (a word game on kurentovanje, slovenian carnival festival). on 27 february 2013, janša s government fell, following vote of no confidence on allegations of corruption , unpopular austerity programme in midst of country s recession. gregor virant welcomed outcome of vote, stating enable slovenia move forward, either form new government or call election.

2013: in opposition , court trial

following fall of government, janša decided not resume position member of national assembly. instead, decided work party (sds), write books, lecture @ international institutes , counsellor.

on 5 june 2013, district court in ljubljana ruled janša , 2 others had sought €2m in commission finnish firm, patria, in order win military supply contract in 2006 (patria case). janša sentenced 2 years while tone krkovič , ivan Črnkovič, co-defendants, each sentenced 22 months in prison. 3 fined €37,000 each. janša has denied accusations, claiming whole process politically motivated. following day, minister of justice, senko pličanič, emphasised court ruling not yet binding , therefore janša still presumed innocent.

several hundred supporters had rallied outside court protest ruling, while group of people welcomed outcome. in first response, janša stated fight available legal , political means overturn ruling @ superior court. has drawn parallels politically motivated jbtz trial, sentenced prison 25 years ago. members of sds, nsi , sls, opposition parties, condemned ruling. coalition abstained comments. borut pahor, president of slovenia, stressed authority of court should respected, regardless of personal opinions. ruling welcomed members of protest movement , goran klemenčič of commission prevention of corruption of republic of slovenia, stated fight against corruption in slovenia must continue.

2014: in prison

after constitutional court of slovenia majority of votes dismissed janša s appeal due him not having exhausted every other legal means available him, on 20 june 2014 janša started serving prison term in dob prison, largest slovene prison. escorted there 3,000 supporters. influential german centre-right wing newspaper frankfurter allgemeine zeitung reported following day domestic slovene , international law experts recognised large violations of janša s rights in court case. case reviewed supreme court, not postpone execution of sentence started 3 weeks before parliamentary election. former constitutional judges criticised decision of constitutional court being based on formalities instead of on content, , commented large legal inconsistency in process discovered in front of constitutional court , prevent supreme court not overturning judgement. on 12 december 2014 janša temporarily released prison pending review of case constitutional court. conviction unanimously overturned constitutional court on 23 april 2015.