Ljubljana’s political establishment has moved swiftly to allow a criminal investigation into former Prime Minister Robert Golob to proceed, after the national assembly voted unanimously to strip the opposition leader of his parliamentary immunity. The decision, which Golob himself endorsed, clears the way for prosecutors to examine allegations of political interference and bribery levelled by his former interior minister.
Unanimous vote in the assembly
The Slovenian parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of former Prime Minister Robert Golob, the leader of the opposition Freedom Movement, over allegations of corruption. The decision was supported by all 75 deputies present, with not a single vote cast against the measure.
The motion passed without friction, largely due to the unusual stance of the accused. Golob publicly welcomed the vote, stating that he wished to clear his name rather than hide behind legal protections.
“In any case, I want this situation to be resolved as soon as possible. I never intended to use parliamentary immunity,” he wrote on Instagram following the announcement.
Allegations from a former ally
The initial charges against Golob were brought by Tatjana Bobnar, the former Minister of the Interior. She has accused the ex-premier of exerting political pressure and engaging in bribery to force personnel changes within her ministry.
The allegations strike at the heart of the former coalition government’s internal dynamics, suggesting that Golob attempted to manipulate the police and security apparatus for political gain during his tenure.
If the allegations are proven in court, the former prime minister could face a sentence of up to six years in prison. The proceedings are expected to draw significant public scrutiny, given the high-profile nature of the defendant and the serious implications for the rule of law in the small European Union member state.
