Alleged irregularities in the bailout of Slovenia's banking system in December 2013 have sparked strong reactions. Because of the irregularities the owners of around 600 million euros of bonds and over one hundred thousand shareholders in Slovenian banks have been wiped out. Foto: BoBo
Alleged irregularities in the bailout of Slovenia's banking system in December 2013 have sparked strong reactions. Because of the irregularities the owners of around 600 million euros of bonds and over one hundred thousand shareholders in Slovenian banks have been wiped out. Foto: BoBo


The expropriated shareholders want justice from the courts. They say the process of erasing their capital was illegal. The members of the Parliamentary commission for public finance control will be expecting more explanations on Friday. A petition calling for an extraordinary session of parliament on the issue is also underway. One could hear calls from the halls of the parliament for the matter to be investigated as soon as possible, and that those guilty of the wrongdoings should assume responsibility, if such irregularities were to be confirmed.

Alenka Bratušek, who was PM during the rescuing of the banks, maintains that "expropriating the owners of subordinate bonds was demanded by the European Commission. The government at that time based all its decisions on information given by the Slovenian Central Bank."

Politicians are unanimous that the matter should be investigated. And what if the alleged irregularities turn out to be true?

Matej Tonin, from the NSi New Slovenia party, expects a few people to end up in prison. "Until we, the members of parliament, don't find out what truly happened, we can arguably consider that we're dealing with a case of organized theft, supported by the country's institutions."

The head of the United Left deputy group, Luka Mesec, warns that everyone knew what was happening - the leadership of the Slovenian Central Bank, the managements of Slovenia's banks, as well as the government leadership of that time. "These are truly serious accusations. They should be treated seriously and I think they should result with criminal charges."

On the other hand others feel that making accusations of criminal activity and theft seem too harsh at this moment.

MP Urška Ban, from Miro Cerar's SMC party : "I don't see things that way. I still think that the Slovenian Central Bank will give further clarification on the matter and that this whole story won't be as big as it's currently presented to be."

The unions are also on their feet. They say they will stop all negotiations on salary cuts until the matter is resolved. "I say that if they really did that, it's a pure case of dismantling the state. They have indebted this country for billions of euros, and now it is us who will have to pay off the bloody interests," the leader of Slovenia's Public authorities trade union, Drago Ščernjavič, was unrelenting.

PM Miro Cerar said he was closely following the developments involving Slovenia's Central Bank, from Luxembourg. Cerar said he expected the relevant authorities to do their job as quickly as possible.