The 14th protest rally of pensioners and dissatisfied citizens, organised by the 1st of October Institute and the Voice of the Pensioners, chaired by Pavel Rupar, took place in Ljubljana on Tuesday. They highlighted the poor conditions for pensioners, the rising prices of electricity, the collapse of the healthcare sector, poor post-flood reconstruction, and pay rises for officials. Rupar announced the next rally together with all parliamentary parties.
Tuesday’s rally started in front of the dilapidated and completely destroyed public broadcaster Radio-Television Slovenia (RTVS), which is becoming a growing financial abyss. The protesters demanded an end to the forced payment of the RTV contribution.
The official part of the protest started at 3 p.m. at Republic Square. with speeches (Pavel Rupar, Aljuš Pertinač, Dr Friderik Potočnik, Štefan Erjavec) as well as musical numbers by the singer Frenk Nova and the ensemble of Gašper Mernik.
The rally in Republic Square began with a prayer for the elderly, the sick and all others who could not be present at the rally. Then followed the national anthem – Zdravljica.
They have increased their own salaries but they don’t want to pay for check-ups
Rupar began by saying that the health situation in Slovenia is a complete disaster and is a reflection of this government. The contempt and ridicule of medical work have resulted in longer waiting times and even actual queues, such as the one we saw recently in Slovenska Bistrica. Slovenian doctor Friderik (Federico) Potočnik thanked everyone for having the courage that “we doctors did not have.” Potočnik told the sad truth of the flight of doctors abroad: “We hear that we are amphibians and not human beings.” “They can declare an all-out war against us, but they can’t declare one against you,” he pointed out, mentioning the new healthcare reform, the results of which are visible in Slovenska Bistrica, where people recently queued up for hours to get a spot with the new physician working there – which is unacceptable for a country in the middle of Europe.
“There is money for higher salaries for politicians and NGOs, but not for check-ups. Where is the justice for you?” Potočnik said, adding that they must persevere.
Pertinač: “A decent pension for a lifetime’s work”
TV presenter and political analyst Aljuš Pertinač joked that the Slovenian healthcare system is only good if you are healthy. He thanked all those present for being at the rally and for making it possible for all Slovenians to have an independent democratic republic today. “Without you, we, the children and grandchildren, would not exist.” At the same time, he apologised to them that his generation had mismanaged the country, which does not have enough money to pay for decent pensions. “A decent pension for a lifetime’s work should be the rule.“
Pertinač also mentioned the suppression of freedom of speech by the authorities, which we should not allow to be taken away from us. The state has enough money, he said, “If it doesn’t have it for the people, then we can’t call it a state.” He mentioned that you have to fight for your rights, so make sure you cast your vote in elections and referendums every time, because they still count. “Let these voices continue to be heard – all the way to Brussels and Berlin.”
The music in between was provided by the well-known musician Frenk Nova.
The state is not helping the affected Carinthians
Rupar then recalled that one year had already passed since the devastating floods and the 100 promised houses and other infrastructure. Štefan Erjavc from the Koroška region (Carinthia) took the stage. They lost almost everything in last year’s storm, but have been struggling for a year to recover and resume a normal life. “There is almost nothing left of the promises made by Golob and the government,” he pointed out, adding that the second winter is now coming. No one is helping them except the people and entrepreneurs who are paying attention. He also called on Prime Minister Golob to resign: “Mr Golob, resign right now.”
During the break, the Simpl band played for those gathered at the rally.
Rupar: The crooks raised their salaries as a reward for bad governance
Rupar thanked the army, as well as the Slovenian police, for providing the correct security at the rally. He also thanked all the media who have been following the rally. Then he “thanked” the crooks who had made our electricity more expensive. “As a reward for your bad governance and chaos in Slovenia, you crooks dared raise your own wages by 50 percent!” This was followed by the protesters shouting, “Thieves, thieves …”
Rupar promised everyone that he would fight for them until they got decent pensions, and let the politicians in the National Assembly know that “they should be very afraid of them,” as long as they sang and rejoiced.
At the next rally, Rupar expects all parties in parliament – both coalition and opposition – to attend, and in addition, farmers, firefighters, workers, soldiers, etc. are also welcome.
Tuesday, the 1st of October, is the International Day of Older Persons.
C. Š.
