The Golob Government is using the social networks X and Facebook to warn that exclusion is not innocent. “Being ignored, disregarded or singled out hurts,” they wrote. Everyone can agree with this, but at the same time, we cannot help but ask why they themselves are contributing to exclusion in practice.
“Being ignored, disregarded or excluded hurts. Exclusion is not innocent – it is a form of violence that leaves a trace,” the government pointed out, adding that everyone can contribute to a more tolerant society: “Listen and hear. Do not participate in the exclusion of others. Show that everyone is worthy of respect. Accept, connect, support! Together, we can end violence.” They are also calling on people to join the “Let’s End Violence” campaign.
They do not see the persecution of Janšaists as a problem
The authorities have linked their message to the promotion of the Radio-Television Slovenia campaign, where they are using three ambassadors to create content to reach out to young people and urge them to create a more tolerant world. However, it is difficult for a government to be a role model for young people if it itself excludes others in practice. For example, by persecuting the so-called Janšaists – supporters of Janez Janša. This is what Janez Janša, the leader of the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (Slovenska demokratska stranka – SDS), pointed out to the government in a post on the social network X. He wrote: “Of course. Clear out the Janšaists. Death to Janšaism. Death to Janša! Sound familiar, dear government? And a very good example for young people, isn’t it?”
Seveda. 🤠
Počistite janšiste. Smrt janšizmu. Smrt Janši!Zveni znano, @vladaRS ? In zelo vzgojno za mlade, mar ne? https://t.co/Kx2igWdQiP
— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) March 18, 2025
On top of that, they don’t even try to hide their fight against Janšaism. Let us not forget that Prime Minister Robert Golob shamelessly said on the Odmevi (Echoes) programme on public television that he was getting rid of Janšaists in the police and on the national media outlet, Radio-Television Slovenia. When confronted with the accusations of the former Minister of the Interior, Tatjana Bobnar, and the former Director-General of the Police, Boštjan Lindav, the Prime Minister said: “The only conversation I had with them, and especially with Lindav, took place before the government had even taken office. The government took office on the 1st of June, I spoke to them last May, and we all had the common goal of purging Slovenia, and in this case, the police, of Janšaism.” He added: “And if anyone anywhere knows that to be true, you know it, even at RTV Slovenia, we have all pledged together to purge it of Janšaism, and I know you know exactly what that means.”
They are waging an open war against doctors
On top of all this, the current government is waging an open war against doctors. Specifically, the Prime Minister has labelled doctors as rotten apples and even claimed that some doctors do little or nothing. But he has not stopped there. In fact, in a recent interview with N1, he went one step further and described doctors who practise in the public, as well as the private sector as parasites.
The Medical Chamber of Slovenia and the FIDES trade union of doctors have always been critical of the Prime Minister’s intolerance. According to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), the Medical Chamber pointed out that the aforementioned statement is “deeply inappropriate, offensive and exceeds the limits of what is permissible in public communication.” Such language is, in their words, completely irresponsible, “as it deepens distrust in the healthcare system, undermines the reputation of doctors and does not contribute to finding solutions to the serious problems that the Slovenian healthcare system faces on a daily basis.” They say that they never imagined that “the medical profession, which has been taking care of the health and lives of people in this country for decades, would be the target of such undignified and indiscriminate attacks –coming from the highest representative of the authorities.” FIDES, which called the statement completely unacceptable, pointed out that it is worrying that the Prime Minister allowed himself to make such a statement at a time when “the Slovenian public healthcare system is under such severe pressure, understaffed and at breaking point,” and that by making such statements, “he is actively discouraging young doctors from working in the public sector and deepening the existing staffing crisis.”
In practice, it is often the case that those who accuse others of intolerance are themselves the most intolerant. However, since it is the adults who should be setting a good example to the young, it would certainly make sense to look in the mirror, otherwise we cannot expect more tolerance in society in the future, but only more divisiveness, which is already much too prevalent.
“Look in the mirror! You are excluding everyone who supports the SDS party and Janez Janša. And what’s more, you bully them and throw them out of their jobs. You are purging, as the totalitarians purged. And you are also sullying doctors’ reputations by calling them parasites, rotten apples and amphibians. Shame!” an SDS party MP, Alenka Jeraj, was critical of the government in light of the recent statements. “Don’t be like Robi. Don’t exclude,” said Dr Igor Muževič, President of the Family Medicine Doctors’ Union.
A. H.
