The resolution of the EPP is the result of a visit by two distinguished representatives of the EPP to Slovenia. They came and held a number of talks in the country, on the proposal of Janez Janša, the head of the SDS party. The resolution highlights the European Commission's findings from May about the unsatisfactory state the Slovenian judicial system was in, and its recommendations for improving the situation.
The European party expressed concern over the court sentencing of former PM Janez Janša. The party is acquainted with Janša's complaint at the Court of Appeal. It hopes the appeal will be processed within the envisaged period of three months.
The resolution also reminds that the right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence are basic human rights. That is why the EPP expresses hope that the proceeding won't lead to the political exclusion of Janez Janša. The European People's Party also expresses strong support for its members - the SDS party, the NSi New Slovenia party, and the SLS party.
The SLS rejected co-sponsorship of the resolution
While the SDS and New Slovenia supported the resolution, the SLS says it rejected the invitation to be a co-sponsor of the resolution. "We are of opinion, that Slovenia's problems should be dealt with from within our borders," explained the president of the SLS, Franc Bogovič. The party refuses to comment individual court verdicts, such as in the Patria case, but does agree with that part of the resolution calling for a more effective and faster judiciary.
The minister of justice warns
Slovenia's Minister of Justice Senko Pličanič was critical of the resolution. He warned that the political commenting of unfinished court proceedings "leaves the impression of a bid to inappropriately influence a fair trial."
"Political pressure on the country's independent judiciary"
The government coalition was more direct saying that the resolution is in fact political pressure on Slovenia's judiciary. "I think that Janez Janša successfully managed to lay a rotten egg in the European People's Party. We are in the European Union, we have legislation in accordance with the EU, and our judicial system functions the same way other European systems do." says Mirko Brulc from the SD party.
European liberals: doing democracy a bad favour
Europe's liberals also reacted sharply to the resolution – they wrote that "the assumption of the European People's Party that Slovenia is a banana-republic, just because none of its members are in the government, is simply doing democracy a bad favour".
Slovenia's former PM Janez Janša was found guilty by a Court of First Instance for accepting bribes in the purchase of eight-wheel armoured personnel carriers. He was sentenced to two years in prison. The ruling is not yet final.
