Prime Minister Golob: Victory Day is a day of truth

"Remembering the past is a commitment to the future," stressed the Prime Minister. "Eighty years ago, the darkest chapter in human history ended. This was the beginning of a civilisation’s vow of 'never again'. Today, this vow is facing a crucial test – not only around the world, in the Middle East, in Palestine, but also in Europe," said the Prime Minister.

He added that Victory Day also served as a reminder that evil is never born from force but from silence. "Let today, then, be a day of victory for truth. A day when we clearly state that Nazism, fascism and collaboration with them were evil. A day when we clearly state that the resistance was not only necessary and honourable, but also just. And a day when we clearly state that it was precisely the partisan resistance that gave us the borders we have today, our nation, and, above all, our own country," said the Prime Minister.

It was the anti-fascist resistance that laid the foundations of Slovenian statehood. But it was not always easy – fascist violence began long before. "If anyone understands this, it is we, the people of Primorska, and the heroes of Basovizza – Bidovec, Valenčič, Marušič and Miloš – who hold a special place in our Primorska hearts," said the Prime Minister. "Of course, they were not the only victims, nor were they the only heroes. What unites all our heroes of the past hundred years – from Maister's fighters and the Tigrovci to the fighters of the Territorial Defence, the Slovenian militia and the partisans? It is their faith in freedom, their boundless love for their mother tongue and the Slovenian nation," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also reflected on the Slovenian resistance. "Many people do not attribute courage, let alone a spirit of resistance, to the Slovenian nation," he said in his address. "But it was precisely these two qualities – courage and defiance – that made the partisan struggle victorious. And it is only because we fought and won alongside our victorious allies in the Second World War that we earned the right to sit as equals at the table then – and have the right to sit as equals at the European table today," emphasised the Prime Minister.

The idea of Europe was born out of the ruins of the Second World War. "This idea was conceived to prevent new wars on European soil. Unfortunately, it has not fully succeeded in its mission, as we see today in Ukraine. If anything, those of us carrying and protecting partisan legacy in Europe must continue to stand up for the same values you once fought for – solidarity, respect, freedom. These are the values upon which not only Slovenia, but also Europe – our new homeland, is founded. Only in this way can we build a better world," said the Prime Minister.

In Europe, and in Slovenia as well, forces are on the rise that we believed, just ten years ago, would never return. "Right-wing populists across Europe operate according to the same playbook: they deny and distort history, they deny and distort the truth, and they spread doubt. Doubt breeds hatred, and hatred destroys communities. This is the moment at which we must make it clear to everyone: right-wing populism is not a defence of any values – right-wing populism is merely the abuse of values," said the Prime Minister. He continued: "And just as they spread falsehoods about the past, they also spread falsehoods about the present. Just as they deny the true purpose of the national liberation struggle, they deny everything the current government is doing. The same methods, the same words, the same goals. But this government will persevere. It will persevere in the values that you began."

The Prime Minister added that the government would uphold the values of the welfare state, strengthen the rule of law and build a better community based on the common good. "We will build and strengthen public healthcare, the public education system and public administration," said the Prime Minister.

In his speech, Prime Minister Golob paid tribute to the generation that chose resistance over surrender, choosing and winning our freedom. When things were at their worst, they did not bow down. "Let today be your day of celebration. Let today also be a day of celebration for all those who are fighting for freedom and justice, including those around the world – even in places where, sadly, there is no peace. And I personally commit that our foreign policy will firmly advocate for the immediate cessation of all conflicts and the achievement of peace in the Middle East and Africa, as well as in Ukraine.

"Our commitment to Slovenia as a welfare state governed by the rule of law is not merely a legacy of the past. It is the only future our children deserve. We will defend it together with you, guided by your values, in our time," concluded the Prime Minister.

At the state ceremony, the Prime Minister was accompanied by his partner, Ms Tina Gaber.