Waiting for Godot in Slovenian politics

The formation of the new government is in these days the biggest news in the Slovenian media. Parliamentary elections, which were held on 21^st of September 2008, have brought changes on the Slovenian political horizon. The slight difference between Social Democrats (SD) and the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) in the recent elections has to be seen as response to the politics of the last four years of the government by Janez Janša, the former prime minister and the president of SDS.

Estragon: I can’t go on like this.
Vladimir: That’s what you think.
Estragon: If we parted? It might be better for us.

The central right SDS was the main force of the political scene after the elections in 2004, despite being in a coalition with the NSi (New Slovenia), SLS (Slovenian People’s Party) and Desus (Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia). Four years later, the NSi did not manage to get into parliament (the party gathered only 3,40 % of the electoral votes), while the SLS lost voters and struggles with an internal crisis. In this perspective the shift from the right to the left (but be careful, always seen from the “centre”) seems to be reasonable.

SD, the party which is led by the new prime minister and former MEP Borut Pahor, formed a coalition with two other parties: LDS (Liberal Democrats of Slovenia) and ZARES (made up by deputies who in 2007 left LDS).

However, the coalition of the so called “trojček” (triplet) was agreed before the elections and thus the three parties campaigned with the promise to form a coalition government. In this sense, the votes of SD, ZARES and LDS were votes for a “liberal, more left – center” coalition that altogether got 45,03 % of the votes.

Based on this short analysis it is possible to conclude that people expressed their wish for change (popular theme these days…) and the expectations of “different politics” can be seen as the mandate of the new government.

Vladimir: Well? Shall we go?
Estragon: Yes, let’s go. (They do not move)

Last week the prime minister was finally appointed and also negotiations about the cabinet seem to be coming to an end. The coalition which will be made up of the “triplet” and DESUS, has already promised “changes”. The central aim is to overcome simple political polarization between “us” and “them” and appoint personnel according to professional capabilities. Another improvement can be seen in the inclusion of women in the new government. At the moment, five women and seven non-party members have been appointed to ministerial positions. The new government also promises more transparency and less interference into the public sector, especially regarding state owned companies. Their message to the voters is that the “tsunami” of appointing public servants according to the political line is now history.

In the end the main question concerns the quality and the content of the policies and whether any “change” can be achieved. But I am afraid that most voters do not know much about the program and also that the show element in general is more appealing. The new coalition agreed on the vague directions which in fact do not say much about real performance of particular policies. However, more will be known after the appointment of the government and its ministers.

Vladimir: The same lot as usual?
Estragon: The same? I don’t know.

Nevertheless, it is better to stay attentive and see what the so-called fresh political wind can contribute to further development of the a relatively new democracy. And we should not forget that the previous government also promised more transparency, professionalism and less political interference in the public…But ended up acting in a totally opposite way. So, what shall we expect in a near future? I would say: let’s hope for the best and be ready for the worst….

Estragon: Charming spot. Inspiring prospects. Let’s go.
Vladimir: We can’t.
Estragon: Why not?
Vladimir: We’re waiting for Godot.
Estragon: (despairingly) Ah!

Quotes in italic are taken from “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett (Part 1 and Part 2)