In a recent interview with the media outlet Žurnal24, the most likely “new face” in domestic politics, Vladimir Prebilič, revealed how Milan Kučan actually thinks, according to the university professor and political commentator Boštjan M. Turk. Prebilič’s statements confirmed that the so-called “godfathers from the background” are not a myth but a reality of Slovenian politics – and, above all, that Milan Kučan still plays a key role in deciding who can step on the political stage. Prebilič made it clear that he has not yet received a “yes” from Kučan and that if he does not get one, he is not going to the elections. What does this say about the autonomy of political candidates in Slovenia?
Boštjan M. Turk pointed out that with this interview, the Slovenian public can hear directly how Milan Kučan thinks – not from his mouth, but from the mouth of Vladimir Prebilič, who is apparently awaiting approval to run at all. “All this emphasising is made in order to please Milan Kučan, to win his consent – which, at the time of the interview, he clearly does not yet have,” noted Turk.
In his opinion, the interview reveals a key contradiction where Kučan’s fingerprints are visible: Prebilič talks about Slovenia’s development, but at the same time, excludes cooperation with the only party that – according to Turk – has a proven track record in this area.
“Janez Janša has the only formula for solving development problems. Under his governments, Slovenia has achieved major international breakthroughs. Kučan and Janša are two incompatible worlds – the first is the world of the Yugoslav past and political usurpation, the second is the world of an independent state,” Turk pointed out.
Kučan completely wrote off Golob
Turk was particularly harsh about Prebilič’s words about the current Prime Minister Robert Golob. “No one from the left has ever given Golob such a slap on the wrist. Prebilič accused him of having done nothing except make the issue of taxes even more confusing. And this is important: Prebilič pointed to Golob as an example of how not to run a country. There has never been such criticism from the left.”
In the interview, Prebilič repeatedly criticised Golob and the current government for ineffective state management, ideological blindness and undemocratic communication with citizens. He accused him of underestimating the referendum will of the people, as demonstrated by his call for non-participation in the referendum. He also accused the government of acting in favour of narrow interest groups instead of advocating for the broader good and a long-term vision of the country’s development. He also noted that the government lacks a long-term vision, and its unpredictability is creating uncertainty among the people and investors. In his view, politics should be less arrogant and more inclusive and based on people’s trust.
In Turk’s opinion, Prebilič brings nothing new, just a continuation of the arrangements decided by his godfather from the background. “All his platitudes have already been heard so many times before that it is sad from the point of view of common sense. He has a rhetoric that wants to be likeable, but is completely untrue.”
Kučan will be satisfied with Prebilič’s interview
The greatest value of the interview, according to Turk, is not what Prebilič said, but what the public can hear – Kučan’s unvarnished message, how he thinks and how he sees the situation on the political floor at the moment.
When Kučan reads in the interview that Prebilič is waiting for his 100-percent support, he will say, “Look at the little chicken, he knows how to do this – yes, just like that, follow the hen – Milan. He walks nicely, he learns quickly,” said Turk. And that is the reason why Prebilič is flattering him so much. “That’s what Kučan wants to see – whether he’s made of the right stuff.”
In addition, the most problematic part of the interview, in Turk’s opinion, is Prebilič’s confession about social science methods. “I come from the Faculty of Social Sciences (FDV); the methodology of social science research can go in any direction,” Prebilič said. “This means that public opinion is not measured, it is created. This is worrying,” Turk concluded.
Meanwhile, Janša has also responded to Prebilič’s interview on X, writing: “When Prebilič calmly admits that Milan Kučan hasn’t given him a definitive YES yet, so he doesn’t know if he will run. Do you know of a serious country where something like this is called DEMOCRACY? Milan Kučan has been in power continuously for more than 55 years. 43 of those years – without ever being elected.”
A. G.
