Balkans: Controversial "Black Cube" Scandal Involving Israel and Pro-Trump Sentiment Sparks Upheaval as "Twitter Marshal" Yanša Returns for Fourth Term as Prime Minister of Slovenia

On May 22, the Slovenian parliament approved the appointment of right-wing politician Janez Janša as the incoming prime minister. The 67-year-old political veteran thus assumes his fourth premiership in the country’s history, signaling significant shifts in both domestic and foreign policy directions for this Balkan nation.

According to reports from Reuters and other outlets, on May 22, in the 90-member National Assembly of Slovenia, Janša secured support from 51 members, successfully passing the prime ministerial vote. Since the parliamentary elections ended on March 22, Slovenia has remained in political deadlock due to no party securing an absolute majority. Now, a new government framework has finally taken shape.

In the March parliamentary election, Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) won 27.9% of the vote and secured 28 seats, ranking second. The Freedom Movement (GS), led by former Prime Minister Robert Golob, received 28.7% of the vote and won 29 seats, finishing first. However, Golob failed to form a majority coalition and subsequently entered opposition.

After the election, Janša engaged in negotiations with four other center-right parties, ultimately forming a five-party coalition. The participating parties in the joint government include New Slovenia, the Democratic Party, the Slovenian People's Party, and the "Focus" Party. This five-party alliance holds 43 seats in parliament and has secured backing from the right-wing "Truth Party." Although the latter will not formally join the government, its MPs supported Janša’s appointment as prime minister. Additionally, members representing ethnic minorities also cast their votes in favor.

The newly formed coalition government announced its key policy priorities on the 22nd, including tax reductions for businesses and households, support for startups and high-growth companies, streamlining administrative procedures, combating corruption, and devolving more power to local governments. The alliance also plans to establish a dedicated fund to finance the pension system and push forward reforms in the healthcare sector.

Speaking in parliament that day, Janša stated that the new government’s goal is to transform Slovenia into “a highly developed, competitive, and socially cohesive nation,” built upon knowledge, innovation, fairness, and quality of life.

However, beyond economic issues, changes in foreign policy following Janša’s return have drawn intense attention from European media. Janša has long been regarded as a prominent figure within Europe’s right-wing bloc. He has openly expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump and repeatedly demonstrated positions closely aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many observers believe his political approach bears influence from Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Analysts suggest that with Janša back in power, Slovenia’s pro-Palestinian foreign policy—maintained for several months previously—will likely undergo a reversal.

During the previous administration, Golob attracted European scrutiny for hanging Palestinian flags on official buildings in Ljubljana and formally recognizing the State of Palestine in 2024. After the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, Slovenia’s stance on Palestine stood out as notably supportive within the EU.

In contrast, Janša has consistently opposed this diplomatic direction. Some Slovenian scholars argue that the Janša government may “completely pivot” on Israel-Palestine issues, adopting a pro-Israel policy more in line with certain Central and Eastern European post-communist states.

Although the new coalition government claims in its governing agreement to support European integration and Ukraine, internal differences remain evident. For instance, the “Truth” Party, which provided crucial support to the new government, advocates for Slovenia’s withdrawal from NATO and has long held skeptical views toward European integration.

Janša himself has always been a controversial figure in Slovenian politics. Early in his career, he was a member of the Communist Party during Yugoslavia’s era and later became one of the key figures in Slovenia’s independence movement in 1991. Over the decades, he gradually shifted toward a more conservative political orientation.

In 2014, Janša served nine months in prison over a corruption case, though the charges were later dismissed due to expiration of the statute of limitations. During his tenure as prime minister from 2020 to 2022, he frequently criticized the judiciary, media independence, and cultural institutions, drawing strong opposition from liberal circles domestically. Some European media have compared his governance style to that of Orbán’s Hungary.

Janša has also gained widespread attention for his frequent use of the social platform X. Due to his sharp and confrontational rhetoric, he has even been dubbed the “Twitter Marshal” by some media outlets.

Meanwhile, an investigation into the Israeli private intelligence firm Black Cube is putting pressure on the new government. Currently, Slovenian police are probing whether Black Cube interfered in the recent parliamentary elections. Intelligence agencies suspect the company was hired to conduct covert operations targeting Janša’s political opponents during the campaign period.

Days before the election, a mysterious website suddenly released multiple videos featuring individuals close to Golob discussing alleged misconduct. Subsequently, those featured claimed they were entrapped through staged encounters with people posing as investors. These tactics resemble methods previously used by Black Cube in Hungary and Romania.

Golob accused Janša of being willing to betray his own country “for power.” Janša admitted meeting with Black Cube personnel prior to the election but denied ever commissioning them to smear political rivals.

On the same day, protests erupted in Ljubljana’s streets. Some demonstrators carried large-scale models of black cubes, protesting against the new government’s alleged ties to Israel. Prominent left-wing philosopher Slavoj Žižek and several others have already filed appeals with Slovenia’s Constitutional Court, challenging the integrity of the election process and alleging external interference.

Sources: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865964351762763/

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