2012–2013 Slovenian protests
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2012–2013 Slovenian protests
| partof =
| image = 375px
| caption = Protesters in front of Maribor's Municipal building on 3 December 2012
| date = {{Start date|2012|11|02|df=yes}} – {{End date|2013|2|4|df=yes}} {{Cite web|url=http://www.zurnal24.si/omejili-stevilo-obiskovalcev-clanek-181575|title = "Četudi ubijejo očeta treh otrok, vstaje ne bo konec"}}
| place = Slovenia
| coordinates =
| causes = *Political corruption
| goals = *Resignation of mayor Franc Kangler and end of corruption and clientelism in the City Municipality of Maribor
- Resignation of the government
- Abolition of the immunity from prosecution for members of the National Assembly and the National Council{{cite news |title=Obsedno stanje v MB - ranjeni trije policisti, aretiranih več protestnikov |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/video-obsedno-stanje-v-mb-ranjeni-trije-policisti-aretiranih-vec-protestnikov/296698 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author1=T. H. |author2=A. K. K. |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}
- Spread of the protests throughout Slovenia; resignations and prosecutions of politicians and other members of elite, accused of corruption
| methods = *Civil resistance{{cite news |title=V središču Maribora obsedno stanje |url=http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112605855102 |publisher=Večer |author=Aleš Lednik |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012 |archive-date=18 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218070159/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112605855102 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Največji protesti proti Kanglerju doslej |url=http://www.zurnal24.si/druga-mariborska-vstaja-bo-danes-clanek-173090 |publisher=Žurnal24 |author1=K. P |author2=L. C. |author3=I. H. |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Gotof, gotovi: Druga MB fstaja (v živo) |url=http://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/gotof-gotovi-druga-mb-fstaja-v-zivo.html |publisher=Delo |author1=Pi. K. |author2=Ti. K. |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=27 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Policija: Ravnanje policistov na protestih je bilo povsem v skladu s pravili |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/foto-in-video-so-protestniki-izzivali-je-policija-prekoracila-pooblastila.html |publisher=24ur |author =S.S. |language=sl |date=27 November 2012 |access-date=27 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Solzivec v deklico: Ati, nič ne vidim, oči me pečejo |url=http://www.slovenskenovice.si/novice/slovenija/solzivec-v-deklico-ati-nic-ne-vidim-oci-me-pecejo |publisher=Slovenske novice |author =Mo.S. |language=sl |date=27 November 2012 |access-date=27 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Maribor: Pridržanih 60 ljudi, poškodovanih 6 policistov |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/maribor-pridrzanih-60-ljudi-poskodovanih-6-policistov/297216 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =L.D. |language=sl |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=Začelo se je z zažgano balo sena, končalo z granitnimi kockami in aretacijami |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/foto-v-mariboru-se-protestniki-ze-zbirajo.html|publisher=24ur |author1=Neda Došenović |author2=Danijela Levpušček |author3=Gregor Gruber |author4=Saša Senica |author5=Mateja Klavs |language=sl |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2012}}
- Demonstrations
- Online activism{{cite news |title=Nad Kanglerja tudi Anonymous - padla spletna stran občine |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/nad-kanglerja-tudi-anonymous-padla-spletna-stran-obcine/296659 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author1=B. V. |author2=T. K. B. |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}
- Police brutality{{ref label|Police2611|P–1|P–1}}
- Riots{{cite news |title=Mariborski protestnik z zlomljeno čeljustjo si bo 'proteste zapomnil za vse življenje' |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/po-zraku-leteli-prometni-znaki-rakete-bakle-kocke-ranjenih-vec-kot-30-kangler-pa-nic.html |author =N.Š. |publisher=24ur |language=sl |date=4 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2012}}
- Vandalism{{cite news |title=Zagoreli novi mariborski radarji |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/zagoreli-novi-mariborski-radarji/294079 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =A.S. |language=sl |date=21 October 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=V Mariboru odslej kazni, radarji spet goreli |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/v-mariboru-odslej-kazni-radarji-spet-goreli/294210 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =T.K.B |language=sl |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=V Mariboru ponoči gorel že peti radar |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-mariboru-ponoci-gorel-ze-peti-radar/294310 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =A.K.K |language=sl |date=24 October 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=V Mariboru gorela še dva radarja, občina se brani očitkov |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/v-mariboru-gorela-se-dva-radarja-obcina-se-brani-ocitkov/294738 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author1=L. L. |author2=Al. Ma. |language=sl |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Mariborčani zažgali že osmi radar |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/mariborcani-zazgali-ze-osmi-radar/295265 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author1=Breda Čepe |author2=Radio Maribor |language=sl |date=7 November 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Zagorel že deveti mariborski radar |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/crna-kronika/zagorel-ze-deveti-mariborski-radar/295504 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =B. V. |language=sl |date=10 November 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=10 radarjev je gorelo, 11. so izruvali, KPK uvedel preiskavo |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/crna-kronika/10-radarjev-je-gorelo-11-so-izruvali.html |author =C.S. |publisher=24ur |language=sl |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=1 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=Razdejanje v Mariboru: pridržanih 120 ljudi, ranjenih več kot 30 |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/razdejanje-v-mariboru-pridrzanih-120-ljudi-ranjenih-vec-kot-30/297248 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =T. K. B. |language=sl |date=4 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2012}}{{ref label|RadarVandalism|V–1|V–1}}
| result = *Franc Kangler's membership in the Slovenian People's Party revoked{{cite news |title=Vodstvo SLS Kanglerja izključilo iz stranke |url=http://www.siol.net/novice/slovenija/2012/11/vodstvo_sls_kanglerja_izkljucilo_iz_stranke.aspx |publisher=Siol |author =STA |language=sl |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}
- Demands for resignation of mayors in Trebnje and Novo mesto{{cite news |title=Ko župani prebledijo: "Gotof je!" efekt se širi |url=http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112305854204 |publisher=Večer |language=sl |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}
- Kangler announces he will not run for a third mayoral term{{cite news |title=Kangler kot župan ne bo odstopil, želi pa se umakniti iz politike |url=http://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/kangler-kot-zupan-ne-bo-odstopil-zeli-pa-se-umakniti-iz-politike.html |publisher=Delo |author =Robert Galun |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}
- The Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia exits the ruling coalition in the city council{{cite news|title=Mariborska koalicija skrhana, izstopa eden ključnih Kanglerjevih svetnikov|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/mariborska-koalicija-skrhana-izstopa-eden-kljucnih-kanglerjevih-svetnikov/297122|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=MMC RTV Slo|date=2 December 2012}}
- Srečko Zorko, the ranking Slovenian People's Party city councillor resigns his position
- Kangler announces his resignation as Mayor of Maribor{{cite news |title="Gotof" je: Franc Kangler napovedal odstop |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/gotof-je-franc-kangler-napovedal-odstop/297409 |author =T.K.B |publisher=RTV Slovenija |language=sl |date=5 December 2012 |access-date=5 December 2012}}
- Kanglers' mandate to become a member of the National Council is rejected by a vote of 19 to 18{{cite news|title=Kangler ni postal državni svetnik, gre na ustavno sodišče|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-kangler-ni-postal-drzavni-svetnik-gre-na-ustavno-sodisce/297888|access-date=13 December 2012|newspaper=MMC RTV Slo|date=12 December 2012}}
| injuries = 65
| arrests = 150
See: casualties section below.
| casualties_label =
| notes =
}}
File:Peta Vseslovenska ljudska vstaja SAM 2816.JPG
The 2012–2013 Slovenian protests were a series of anti-establishment and anti-government protests. Protesters expressed disapproval with the country's ruling political elite, including Maribor mayor Franc Kangler, prime minister Janez Janša, and parliamentary opposition leader Zoran Janković (all of whom stood accused of corruption by Commission for the Prevention of Corruption).{{cite news |title=Kangler je korumpiran. Pika. |url=http://www.delo.si/mnenja/komentarji/kangler-je-korumpiran-pika.html |publisher=Delo |author =Rok Kajzer |language=sl |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Protikorupcijska komisija: Kangler vpleten v korupcijo |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/protikorupcijska-komisija-kangler-vpleten-v-korupcijo.html |publisher=24ur |author=B.G. |author2=STA |author3=N.D. |author4=M.K. |language=sl |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=Mariborska hobotnica |url=http://ris.vecer.com/risstorage4/_Mariborska/1012Hobotnica1.JPG |publisher=Večer |language=sl |access-date=2 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505105759/http://ris.vecer.com/risstorage4/_Mariborska/1012Hobotnica1.JPG |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Mreža Franca Kanglerja |url=http://www.slovenskenovice.si/novice/slovenija/mreza-franca-kanglerja |author =Ali Žerdin |publisher=Slovenske novice |language=sl |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=Mariborčani: Kangler naj v dobro mesta odstopi |url=http://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/mariborcani-kangler-naj-v-dobro-mesta-odstopi.html |publisher=Delo |author1=Robert Galun |author2=Miha Rubin |language=sl |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}
Protests began on 2 November 2012 as the 2012–2013 Maribor protests against the city's mayor Franc Kangler{{cite news |title=Mariborska opozicija zahteva, da župan pokaže dokumentacijo |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/mariborska-opozicija-zahteva-da-zupan-pokaze-dokumentacijo/294924 |author =A.S. |publisher=RTV Slovenija |language=sl |date=2 November 2012 |access-date=30 November 2012}} and subsequently spread to other cities across the country, with protesters demanding resignations and prosecution of politicians and other members of the elite, accused of corruption.{{cite news |title=V Mariboru prijetih najmanj 25 nasilnežev, poškodovanih pa 15 ljudi |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/z-2-mariborsko-vstajo-proti-kanglerju.html |publisher=24ur |author=S.S. |author2=M.R. |language=sl |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012}}{{cite news |title=V Trbovljah državi prižgali svečo, mirno tudi drugje |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-trbovljah-drzavi-prizgali-sveco-mirno-tudi-drugje/297023 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author =T.H. |language=sl |date=30 November 2012 |access-date=1 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=V Mariboru razdejanje, v Ljubljani sproščeno |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-mariboru-razdejanje-v-ljubljani-sprosceno/297177 |author1=Al. Ma. |author2=L. L. |author3=B. V. |author4=A. Č. |publisher=RTV Slovenija |language=sl |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=Protest v Celju: pridržali 15 oseb, 15-letnika že izpustili |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/v-celju-zbranih-ze-okoli-100-protestnikov-protesti-tudi-na-ptuju-ravnah-in-v-trbovljah.html |author1=Vesna Lambergar |author2=Matic Flajšman |author3=Polona Šemnički |publisher=24ur |language=sl |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=5 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=Ajdovci politike pošiljajo "v maloro" |url=http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/ajdovci-politike-posiljajo-v-maloro/297500 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |author1=G. C. |author2=Al. Ma. |language=sl |date=7 December 2012 |access-date=8 December 2012}}
Background
Government under the right-wing leader Janez Janša responded to the weakening of Slovenian economy during the global economic crisis and European sovereign-debt crisis with opening up old ideological fronts against liberal media, and against public sector - especially educational and cultural sectors, accusing them of being under influence of members of old regime (called Udbomafia and "Uncles from Behind the Scenes" (In Slovene: "strici iz ozadja")[http://www.dnevnik.si/mnenja/stalisca/strici-iz-ozadjaa Uncles from Behind the Scenes] (In Slovene: "Strici iz ozadja"), Dnevnik, 10. November 2012) and against everyone who doubted that austerity measures forced upon Slovenia are right ones.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19908649 IMF calls time on austerity - but can Greece survive?], BBC News, 11 October 2012[https://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/v-ospredju/samovolja-politikov-presega-vse-meje A Symposium of Law Experts. Political arbitrariness has gone wild.] (In Slovene: "Posvet pravnikov. Samovolja politikov presega vse meje"), Dnevnik, 18 Januar 2013.
In relation to the allegations made by official Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Janša's party sent letters to the right-wing European Parliament members, discrediting the Commission's report as part of "the communist campaign that begun in 1983 with the aim to remove Janša from politics".[http://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/v-ospredju/pribac-sdsova-ocena-trenutnega-stanja-v-drzavi-neposredno-zaljiva-za-vecino-slovencev- Pribac: The SDS Letter Is Interpreting the Recent 30 Years of Slovene History as Socialist Conspiracy Against Janša] (In Slovene: "Pribac: Pismo SDS predstavlja zadnjih 30 let slovenske zgodovine kot socialistično zaroto zoper Janšo"), Dnevnik, 17 January 2013 Since Janša was ignoring the report and his party didn't offer any replacement for him, all three coalition parties and their leaders left the government within weeks and were subjected to ad hominem attacks by Janez Janša who accused the SLS's leader Radovan Žerjav of being "the worst (economics) minister in history of Slovenia", while the leader of the Civic List Gregor Virant has been mocked by Janša as engaging in "virantovanje" (a play on words with kurentovanje, a Slovenian carnival festival).[http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/jansa-vlado-je-zapustil-najslabsi-minister-za-gospodarstvo-v-zgodovini-slovenije-zerjav-hvala-in-vse-dobro/303143 - Janša to Žerjav: The worst minister for economy in the history of Slovenia has left the government], MMC RTV Slovenija, 25 February 2013[http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/predsedniki-strank-so-se-dogovorili-da-se-bodo-potrudili/302392 Section of Virant: Virantovanje resembles kurentovanje], MMC RTV Slovenija, 14 February 2013[http://www.delo.si/novice/politika/desus-zapusca-koalicijo.html Desus has left the government], Delo, 12 January 2013
Reception
=Reception by public intellectuals=
The cause for demonstrations has been attributed by some public intellectuals to misunderstanding of post-socialist political elite who rejected "collectivism as socialist pattern" while, according to notable Slovene anthropologist Vesna V. Godina it is in fact a "pre-socialist pattern", originating from the way the traditional Slovene rural community was functioning much longer than in other – mainly Protestant and to much lesser degree in the mainly Catholic – modern nations, who have replaced traditional political culture earlier in history by the modern representative democracy and individualism.[http://www.7dni.com/v1/default.asp?kaj=2&id=05858505 Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214073400/http://www.7dni.com/v1/default.asp?kaj=2&id=05858505|date=14 December 2012}} with Vesna V. Godina, Večer, 5 December 2012.
Timeline
File:Tretja vseslovenska vstaja SAM 2059.JPG
{{Commons category|Demonstrations and protests in Slovenia in 2012}}
{{Commons category|Demonstrations and protests in Slovenia in 2013}}
;Notes
- Note 1: The number of protesters is approximate, given by the media.
- Note 2: The list includes only those who sought and received medical treatment.
{{Clear}}
See also
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Slovenian protests, 2012-2013}}