In the words of the Prime Minister, “Slovenia will consistently support the rule of law and the same standards for all, everywhere, at home and in the EU. Respecting the rule of law in the European Union means that the Treaty of Lisbon and other legal foundations of the EU apply in Poland the same as in Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Hungary, or other states.”

“The letter to our colleagues in the European Council was not an open letter but an exchange of opinions with people with whom we debated the financial package and the rule of law for four days and nights this July. The majority of people outside this circle probably have difficulties understanding this pivotal time for the future of the European Union. A fair proportion of the definition of the mechanism of the rule of law was not adopted at the EC in July, as some believed it to be in contravention with the Treaty on European Union. They announced they would veto the budget if this instrument were to be imposed.

“The again proposed, and in July rejected mechanism, anticipates that the European Commission can initiate a procedure on the basis of “recommendations” of various “international organisations and networks”, of which only a few are listed, and conclude it with a majority vote by the Council of the European Union and not the courts,” wrote Prime Minister Janša, adding that “this is an attempt to set up a parallel and different mechanism than the one stipulated in the Treaty, which ends with a majority vote of a political body. In Europe, such procedures have never before been called “the rule of law”. “

“On Monday’s COREPER Meeting, Slovenia did not veto nor did it announce it would veto. We did propose, however, that prior to making the final decision and consequently inevitably facing a blocked EU budget, we need to take some time FOR EVERYTHING and find a compromise on the basis of the agreements reached in July,” emphasised Prime Minister Janša.

“My letter is an attempt of a call to reason. We are jointly responsible for the future of the European Union. We are under an obligation to think with our own heads. Those who do not believe that the situation is serious, are similar to the people who went around before Brexit eagerly explaining that nothing dramatic is happening.

In accordance with the “rule of law” in the European Union or on the basis of the Treaty on European Union, every member state has the right to veto where unanimity is required. Is it so difficult to understand that in this case this means at minimum a STANDSTILL in the recovery after the epidemic? And that it is in the interest of Slovenia that this does not happen?”, concluded the Slovenian Prime Minister.