Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob appeared before a national anti-corruption commission on Wednesday, rejecting accusations that he interfered in police staffing decisions.
The charges were filed in late October, with the Slovenian police submitting a criminal complaint over allegations of “interfering in police affairs.” The complaint, directed to the Specialised Public Prosecutor’s Office (KPK), is based on claims by former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar and former interim police chief Boštjan Lindav, who allege that Golob exerted undue political pressure on the interior ministry and the police. While the exact nature of the alleged crime remains undisclosed, Golob faces accusations of “committing a crime of corruption.”
After an hour and a half of questioning, Golob stated, “I gave all the explanations to the commission and completely denied and refuted all the accusations.” He expressed confidence that, just as in previous cases, evidence and witnesses would ultimately disprove the allegations. “It’s not about my word,” Golob added, “it’s about witnesses and evidence confirming it.” He remained optimistic that the truth would emerge through the forthcoming testimonies and proof.
The criminal complaint against Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob arises from a two-year investigation into allegations by former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar. She accused Golob of exerting undue political influence, particularly in relation to police staffing and his refusal to extend Boštjan Lindav’s term as police chief. In addition to her resignation in December 2022, Bobnar recounted a significant meeting with Prime Minister Golob in May, where he compared her performance to that of Marjan Šarec, noting both support and opposition. She also described increasing pressure in October 2023, which included a controversial message from a senior party official.
After the hearing, Bobnar reaffirmed her accusations, stressing that her concerns about irregularities and misconduct were well-founded. Her lawyer, Luka Švab, declined to provide further details, stating it would be inappropriate to discuss matters under investigation by state bodies, as it could negatively impact the criminal procedure if initiated.
It is expected that the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) will conduct further interviews before reaching a decision on the case. This ruling will set a significant precedent regarding the limits of a prime minister’s authority in directing ministers. If the outcome is unfavorable to Golob, his lawyer, Zdolšek, indicated that it would be challenged in the Administrative Court.
