Despite “open” civic space, challenges remain; Right-wing media and politicians target CSO funding, security services harass pro-Palestinian activist

Introduction

In December 2024, the CIVICUS Monitor upgraded Slovenia’s civic space rating from “Narrowed” to “Open” in its People Power Under Attack 2024 report, highlighting progress in democratic participation and civic freedoms. The change reflects measures implemented since the change in government in 2022, including reforms securing the independence of public broadcaster RTV Slovenia, new mechanisms for consultation with civil society organisations (CSOs), and increased dialogue between authorities and civic actors. Slovenia’s score rose by 14 points, from 70 to 84, with the new rating indicating low levels of fear and broad freedom to associate, protest, express views freely and access information.

These improvements followed a period of decline under the right-wing government of Janez Janša, during which a rapid deterioration in civic freedoms led to Slovenia’s downgrade to “Narrowed” at the end of 2020.

Despite these gains, challenges remain. According to the Centre for Information Service, Cooperation and Development of Non-Governmental Organisations in Slovenia (CNVOS), two key issues continue to affect civic space. The first issue concerns police treatment of hate-motivated offences, as attacks motivated by the victim’s political beliefs, including those against civil society activists or their spaces, are often not categorised as hate crimes, despite the apparent intent. The second issue is the ongoing absence of an Ombudsman, as no appointment has been made since the previous Ombudsman's term expired in February 2025. CNVOS attributes this delay to the reluctance of right-wing parties, leaving a gap in mediation between citizens and the authorities.

Freedom of association

According to CNVOS, freedom of association in Slovenia is largely respected by the state. However, opposition parties continue to challenge its exercise, particularly right-wing groups, which frequently target non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on issues such as funding.

Right wing groups call to redirect funding for NGOs to defence spending, launch smear campaign against civil society

In March 2025, former Prime Minister and opposition leader Janez Janša proposed that resources earmarked for public support to NGOs and the green transition be redirected to defence. He argued Slovenia must raise military spending to 3–3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on an accelerated timeline, insisting this should not come at the expense of health, education, or economic competitiveness but instead from cuts to civil society and environmental programmes. The proposal followed Prime Minister Robert Golob's attendance at an emergency European Union summit on 6th March, where leaders discussed the war in Ukraine and European defence. Speaking to the media at the summit, Golob announced that Slovenia will have to increase defence spending to two percent of GDP before 2030.

Civil society organisations strongly criticised Janša’s proposal, warning it would erode essential services and go against the public interest. In conversation with 24ur.com, civil society representatives—including those from environmental, disability rights and LGBTQI+ organisations—stressed that state funding for civil society is already insufficient, and that further cuts would threaten crucial services for vulnerable groups, which CSOs provide in the absence of adequate government initiatives. They also highlighted that NGO work prevents much greater social costs in the long term.

This narrative was reinforced by right-wing groups who, echoing global debates around the U.S. aid freeze and USAID, sought to discredit Slovenian NGOs such as the 8th of March Institute. In response, the Institute released a video rebutting false claims that it had received taxpayer or USAID funding, or charged commissions to help other organisations access U.S. funds—accusations amplified by Janša and right-wing media.

The Institute and its director, Nika Kovač, have long been targets of harassment. In April 2025, the Facebook page Slovenia Info Portal falsely accused Kovač of belonging to an “international group that sells the organs of unborn children.” The post, shared by far-right activist Aleš Primc and Janša, attempted to discredit the Institute’s advocacy for reproductive rights. Although U.S. courts have repeatedly confirmed that the videos underpinning these claims were manipulated, the narrative was deliberately recycled in Slovenia, reviving conspiracy theories linked to the American non-profit Planned Parenthood, which they alleged is a major funder of the Institute.

In June 2025, Kovač won a private criminal lawsuit against journalist Vinko Vasle, former head of Radio Slovenia during Janša’s government, who in 2022 had insulted her on Twitter. Following the verdict, the 8th of March Institute emphasised that the ruling demonstrates that hateful social media posts carry consequences, adding that Kovač chose to respond through the rule of law, and urging collective action to resist attempts to intimidate critical voices.

Intimidation, smear campaigns and pressure against Palestine solidarity activists

While the government generally does not interfere with the freedom of association, there have been worrying cases of authorities engaging in intimidation of pro-Palestinian activists. In addition, these groups are often targeted by right-wing media.

Palestinian activist reportedly harassed by intelligence agency

The Palestinian Solidarity movement has faced particular scrutiny from police, both collectively and individually. One high-profile instance of alleged state harassment involved Jaber Elmasry, a Palestinian-Slovenian citizen who has lived in Slovenia for over 15 years and is active within the Palestinian community. Elmasry came to the country in 2009 as the coordinator of a rehabilitation project for children from Gaza.

In July 2025, Elmasry reported that he had been the target of harassment by agents of the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA) for over a year. He told Dnevnik that one alleged agent contacted him to request information about members of the Palestinian community, the affiliation of wounded Palestinian children, tunnels in Gaza, and Hamas weaponry. The agent was reportedly also interested in Palestinians outside Slovenia and in Palestine solidarity activists within the country.

According to Elmasry, the agent told him he was obliged to cooperate with intelligence services because the government had helped evacuate his brother, who had been engaged in humanitarian work in Gaza. At the time, Elmasry was applying for family reunification with his wife, a Gazan living in Egypt. He claims that after he refused to cooperate, immigration authorities issued negative security assessments that prevented his wife from joining him in Slovenia. SOVA has denied the allegations, characterising them as an attempt by Elmasry to put pressure on the agency to influence the outcome of their security assessments.

Discrediting campaign against feminist activist over Palestine solidarity

Activists have also frequently been targeted by smear campaigns, as in the case of Nika Kovač, director of the 8th of March Institute. In July 2025, the Institute reported that right-wing groups had engaged in a coordinated discrediting campaign against Kovač, providing screenshots of social media users discussing sending a dossier to U.S. authorities accusing her of being connected to Palestinian terrorist groups due to her support for the Palestinian solidarity movement. According to them, the campaign sought to undermine her credibility internationally, particularly in the U.S., aiming to block her travel to the country and engagement with American institutions. The narrative was subsequently amplified by right-wing media. A day after the Institute published its statement, the outlet Nova24TV, which is connected to former Prime Minister Janez Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), published an article chastising Kovač for “playing the victim” and alleging she has connections with Hamas.

Public access to data on beneficial owners for civil society ensured after advocacy efforts

In July 2025, the Slovenian National Assembly adopted amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act, transposing an EU Directive intended to expand access to company beneficial ownership data for journalists, NGOs, and researchers.

When the proposed amendments were first made public, the investigative outlet Oštro quickly raised the alarm that they diverged from the directive by not recognising these three groups as having a legitimate interest to access the data, despite the directive’s explicit intent. The Journalists’ Association of Slovenia (DNS) also criticised the proposal for limiting access to case-by-case applications requiring detailed written requests, rather than granting general access as explicitly foreseen, and failing to implement provisions requiring central registers to protect the anonymity of journalists and civil society organisations accessing data. Although a late amendment extended access to registered media outlets, it continued to exclude freelance and foreign journalists, NGOs, and researchers.

Following pressure from media, NGOs and oversight bodies, MPs revised the bill before the final vote to grant journalists, researchers, and NGOs automatic recognition of their legitimate interest in accessing the register, bringing the law closer to the directive’s requirements. Oštro celebrated the final revision as a “victory for transparency” which reaffirms the role of civil society and watchdog media in overseeing the government.

Freedom of peaceful assembly

Ukrainian First Lady’s visit protested by pro-Russian activists, one protester detained

In November 2024, during a state visit by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, pro-Russian activists announced a planned protest in Ljubljana, particularly targeting her scheduled appearance at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FDV). On the day of the visit, a demonstrator in front of the National and University Library shouted pro-Russian slogans. According to 24ur.com, the man was identified by police on the spot and taken into custody. Authorities confirmed they had been forewarned of the protest and had deployed measures accordingly. Due to the threat of protest, Zelenska’s planned appearance at FDV was cancelled.

Supporters protest against Janez Janša’s trial, RTV Slovenia company car attacked

On 26th November 2024, a protest took place in Celje during the trial of SDS party leader and former Prime Minister Janez Janša on corruption charges related to the sale of land in the Trenta Valley. Some 1,000 supporters gathered outside the courthouse to express their opposition to what they described as an “injustice system.” During the demonstration, a vehicle carrying journalists from public broadcaster RTV Slovenia attempted to pass through the crowd. Protesters reportedly kicked the car, struck it with flagpoles, and attempted to break in, while insulting and spitting at those inside (see also under Freedom of Expression).

Police intervened, arresting one protester, Drago Bobnič. Bobnič stated that he was fined approximately 850 EUR for “proudly waving the Slovenian flag” and alleged that police used physical force during his arrest, including dragging and striking him. Footage of the arrest posted on social media does not show evidence of police violence.

At a press conference, led by Pavel Rupar, a former SDS MP and president of Voice of Retirees, organisers denounced the incident as having “shaken the foundations of our democratic society.” They described Bobnič, a member of the organisation, as a “national hero” and called for the resignation of the Interior Minister and Police Director. The organisers also criticised RTV Slovenia employees, accusing them of a “corrupt provocation” and describing them as “extreme fascist leftists”, calling for a public boycott of contributions to the broadcaster. According to their account, protesters were “defending themselves” from a vehicle that allegedly attempted to run them over.

RTV Slovenia stated that the car was en route to an interview at the Museum of Contemporary History, located across the street from the courthouse, and had been instructed by police to move slowly through the crowd due to the lack of an alternative route. The broadcaster added that another vehicle passing in front of them was not attacked, suggesting their car was targeted because of its company branding.

The demonstration by Janša supporters, which followed an online harassment campaign against judges and prosecutors, was widely condemned, including by Freedom Movement MP Lena Grgurevič, chair of the parliamentary Justice Committee, who called for an emergency session, describing the events as an unacceptable attempt to exert pressure on the judiciary. On 18th April, Janša was acquitted, with the presiding judge stating that the verdict was based solely on a careful and conscientious assessment of all the evidence presented, and had not been influenced by media reporting, allegations against the judiciary, or rallies outside the court. The verdict is not yet final and the prosecution has announced an appeal.

Opposition leader Janša joins pensioners in massive anti-government protest

On 19th February 2025, opposition leader Janez Janša and members of several right-wing parties joined a large anti-government rally in Ljubljana, organised by The Voice of Pensioners party and the 1st October Institute. Protesters gathered at Republic Square with Slovenian flags and banners calling for the government’s resignation and fair pensions, marching to the government building where leaders, including Pavel Rupar and Janša, demanded the government step down within 30 days or face intensified protests. Speakers criticised government spending on NGOs and social programmes while calling for better wages, pensions, housing, and education, and urged a strong showing for the opposition in the upcoming general election.

Several opposition parties, including New Slovenia (NSi), the People’s Party (SLS), and the National Party (SNS), also addressed the crowd, criticising the government’s handling of traditional values, pensions, and housing. The ruling coalition responded by accusing the organisers of exploiting pensioners for political purposes, claiming the protest primarily served as a vehicle for Janša and his allies to stage a political comeback.

Civil society initiative stages warning protest to hold government to pre-election promises

Just days before, on 14th February, the civic initiative Voice of the People organised a warning bicycle protest in Ljubljana, gathering participants at 5 p.m. in front of the government building on Gregorčičeva Street. The protest aimed to hold the ruling coalition accountable for its pre-election promises, highlighting that nearly three years into their mandate, only 12 of 122 commitments had been fully implemented, with 15 broken. Protesters emphasised the urgency of fulfilling these promises, particularly in public health, housing, and environmental policy, and expressed concerns over the influence of elite lobbies on key decisions. The event concluded with a message delivered to coalition parties, urging them to prioritise fulfilling their commitments to restore public trust in democracy.

The Voice of the People initiative is a broad network of more than 100 civil society organisations, established in response to the 2022 elections to encourage widespread public participation and to focus the election campaign on issues that matter to people.

Protests on International Women’s Day

On 8th March 2025, International Women’s Day, numerous protests took place in Slovenia.

In Koper, more than one hundred people gathered at Tito Square for the feminist rally “If we strike, the world stands still”, which highlighted how feminised professions such as cleaning, teaching, and healthcare are systematically undervalued. Participants linked the struggle for women’s rights to broader workers’ rights, calling for class-based solidarity and demanding equal pay.

Later that day, a group of about twenty activists demonstrated outside Ig Women’s Prison to express solidarity with incarcerated women. Protesters displayed banners, played music, and addressed prisoners through the windows. Authorities prevented the distribution of gifts, limiting direct contact between protesters and the women inside the facility.

In Ljubljana, approximately 700 students, workers, and retirees rallied at Congress Square under the banner “I don’t want flowers, give me workers’ rights!” The protest focused on working conditions and low wages in feminised professions, as well as the need for accessible social services. Following speeches and performances, including choir singing and readings by educators and trade unionists, participants marched through the city to Prešeren Square with slogans and chants.

In the evening, a queer-feminist rally against militarism, patriarchy, and wars began at Argentinsko Park with several hundred participants. Protesters marched to the US Embassy, and continued through the city past the parliament building and City Hall. Police maintained a visible presence at these key locations. The rally concluded at the Autonomous Cultural Center Metelkova Mesto with performances and community activities.

Pride Parade in Maribor resumes after hiatus

On 7th June 2025, Maribor hosted its fourth Pride Parade, returning after a two-year hiatus under the slogan “Let's Overrule Hate” to highlight ongoing discrimination, hate speech, and violence against the LGBTQI+ community. Around 350 participants marched, calling for stronger protections and societal change, while speakers, including Minister Simon Maljevac, framed LGBTQI+ rights as part of a wider struggle against systemic exclusion affecting women, migrants, and workers. According to RTV Slovenia, a few counter-protesters appeared at Freedom Square, but a strong police presence ensured the event proceeded safely.

Despite the parade’s peaceful conclusion, several homophobic incidents in Maribor during Pride Month underscored persistent intimidation. The Youth Cultural Center Maribor (MKC Maribor), which organised the event, reported a surge in online hate speech in the days leading up to the march. In late June, a group of men forcibly removed a rainbow flag from an LGBTQI+-friendly bookstore; the police recovered the flag and charged the individual with theft, but not with a hate-motivated offence. The bookstore had faced prior attacks in June 2024, including attempts to remove its rainbow flag, spitting, Nazi salutes, and threats of physical violence. The owner noted that in at least one incident, police presence was minimal and no report was filed.

Livestock farmers stage protest at agricultural fair, Ministry withdraws citing “pressure” and “inappropriate communication”

On 28th August 2025 in Gornja Radgona, dissatisfied livestock farmers staged a protest at the Ministry of Agriculture’s exhibition space at an agricultural fair, holding banners to criticise the Ministry’s policies, including the new animal protection law. The protest led Ministry representatives to leave early, citing discomfort due to the number of protesters and what they described as inappropriate communication. Later, one of the farmers was reportedly injured in an incident involving the fair’s security service. The Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (KGZS) condemned the incident, while State Secretary Maša Žagar emphasised that the Ministry had no role in the security response and that responsibility lay with the fair organiser. Despite the Ministry’s withdrawal from the event, Žagar stressed that it maintains regular dialogue with farmers and civil society, including during protests, and has never avoided engaging with stakeholders.

New legislative proposal potentially threatens freedom of assembly

In March 2025, a new legislative proposal, the Draft Amendments to the Public Assemblies Act, was put forward for public debate. As of September 2025, it has not progressed further in the legislative process. The proposed amendments have drawn criticism from civil society, which argues that they fail to address the key shortcomings of existing legislation while introducing measures that may further restrict the right to peaceful assembly.

In its response to the proposal, addressed to the Ministry of the Interior, the CSO Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy (LNPD) highlighted several concerns, alleging that the amendments prioritise maintaining order over safeguarding fundamental freedoms.

They noted that, if adopted, the amendments would increase the personal data required from organisers (and require some of it to be published) and expand their administrative obligations, such as requiring organisers to specify rally routes. LNPD argues that these provisions could deter participation and expose organisers to retaliation.

In addition, they highlight problems with the existing framework, citing excessive police discretion to disperse unorganised gatherings, unclear rules for rallies on private or public property, and overly broad sanctions for organisers and leaders. Other concerns include the disproportionate responsibility placed on organisers to ensure safety, the restrictive 18-year age requirement for rally leaders, costs associated with organising rallies on public roads, and inconsistencies across related legislation.

They emphasise that the bill does not address past abuses during the pandemic and fails to provide a systemic, rights-based approach to supporting lawful public assembly.

Freedom of expression

According to CNVOS, freedom of expression is currently upheld in the state media in Slovenia, thanks to its independent governance body. The government generally does not interfere with the freedom of expression of independent media houses or civil society. However, journalists and media often face discrediting by right-wing politicians, and cases of smear campaigns, harassment, intimidation and threats have been recorded by media freedom watchdogs.

POP TV journalist verbally abused by Janez Janša over Gaza reporting

On 5th February 2025, former Prime Minister and SDS leader Janez Janša posted a discrediting message on X targeting Tadeja Lampret, US correspondent for the Slovenian news programme POP TV, following her report on a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump on US policy towards Gaza. Janša’s post implied that Lampret and some editors were aligned with Hamas, accusing the outlet of promoting “anti-Semitic and anti-American politics.”

On 7th February, the Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS) expressed full support for Lampret, noting that the editorial team on site confirmed her reporting was accurate. DNS condemned Janša’s accusations as unsubstantiated and as contributing to a hostile environment for journalists.

Harassment of Mladina journalist following disclosure of personal data by former Prime Minister

On 11th August 2025, former Prime Minister and opposition leader Janez Janša posted a screenshot of a press inquiry from journalist Matic Gorenc of the weekly magazine Mladina on X (formerly Twitter), disclosing Gorenc’s personal phone number. Gorenc had been investigating reports that members of Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) camped and lit fires in a restricted park. The post, which included a mocking emoji, was viewed thousands of times and triggered a wave of cyberharassment against the journalist. According to the Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS), Gorenc received threatening calls and messages, including a death threat targeting both him and his mother. DNS strongly condemned Janša’s actions, stating he had deliberately exposed the journalist to harassment and jeopardised his safety.

Following the incident, Gorenc requested that the post be removed, but on 22nd August the Information Commissioner rejected his complaint, citing freedom of expression. The decision was criticised by DNS and Mladina, which pledged full support to the journalist. As of 12th September, the post remained online, continuing to expose Gorenc to threats. The journalist has announced plans to appeal the decision and file a criminal complaint against Janša for the offence of unjustified disclosure of personal data under Article 143 of the Criminal Code.

Investigative media outlet Oštro targeted by smear campaigns and threats

In January 2025, the investigative journalism centre Oštro, which focuses on the Adriatic region, became the target of discrediting campaigns and online harassment. On 12th January, the Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS) reported that Oštro and its founder, Anuška Delić, had faced organised attacks following Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement ending fact-checking partnerships in the United States. Discrediting columns on Nova24TV and statements from right-wing media outlets accused Oštro of bias and censorship, leading to hateful and threatening online comments. On 17th January, portal editor Bojan Požar verbally attacked Delić on national television, questioning her legitimacy and falsely alleging she had fictitious employees.

The harassment escalated in early February 2025. On 5th February, Oštro received anonymous threatening emails, including explicit references to physical violence. On 6th February, former Prime Minister and SDS leader Janez Janša discredited Delić during a podcast appearance, describing her as a “deity” able to arbitrarily control what could be published and punished through official channels. DNS strongly condemned the statement, noting it echoed years of prior targeting of Oštro’s fact-checking team, including accusations of censorship, non-transparent funding, and repeated threats.

By 12th February, DNS formally condemned the ongoing smear campaigns and threats, reiterating support for Delić and the editorial team. The European Federation of Journalists also reported that the team had received multiple threatening emails between 4th and 10th February. In response to public pressure, Nova24TV removed offensive comments under its articles by 26th February. The incidents highlight a pattern of intimidation and discrediting of Slovenia’s only regular fact-checking outlet, combining political statements, media attacks, and online harassment.

University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana files six SLAPP lawsuits against N1 Slovenia

In February 2025, it was made public that the University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana (UPK), a public institution, had filed six lawsuits against N1 Slovenia journalist Barbara M. Smajila, editor Katja Šeruga, production company Adria News Production and publisher Adria News Sarl. The lawsuits, citing Article 183 of the Slovenian Code of Obligations, allege damage to the reputation of the Clinic and seek a total of 195,000 EUR in damages.

The legal actions followed the publication of investigative articles in June 2023 detailing alleged mistreatment of patients by UPK staff. The Clinic contests the reports in their entirety, rather than addressing specific claims, and has filed nearly identical lawsuits for each article. The Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS) characterised the lawsuits as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, which represent an abuse of the legal system intended to intimidate and silence critical reporting. The lawsuits against N1 also drew condemnation from both the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health.

RTV Slovenia correspondent intimidated

On 4th April 2025, RTV Slovenia correspondent Erika Pečnik Ladika was intimidated by the daughter-in-law of Logatec mayor Berto Menard. According to the Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS), the incident took place outside a pub, where the woman verbally attacked the journalist with derogatory remarks about RTV. Ladika reported that the same individual had previously smeared her on social media and that she had earlier been threatened by the mayor himself. The daughter-in-law, who is married to a municipal councillor and heads the local volleyball club, has ties to municipal projects previously criticised by RTV. Following the incident, RTV Slovenia expressed full support for its journalist.

Physical attacks on journalists during protests

On 26th November 2024, technical staff from the Slovenian public broadcaster RTV Slovenia were attacked while driving through a rally in Celje in support of former Prime Minister Janez Janša, who was attending a court hearing in an ongoing trial over controversial land deals. Protesters reportedly kicked the company vehicle, struck it with flagpoles, and attempted to break in, forcing police intervention to ensure the staff’s safety. RTV Slovenia called for a thorough investigation and accountability, while the Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS) highlighted the incident as part of a broader pattern of political hostility towards the public broadcaster’s employees.

On 20th December 2024, Mladina photojournalist Gašper Lešnik was assaulted while documenting an anti-government protest in Ljubljana. A protester attempted to seize his camera and demanded that he delete the footage. Police intervened promptly, protecting the journalist and his equipment. Lešnik was unharmed, and DNS reported the incident as another example of the risks journalists face while covering politically charged demonstrations in Slovenia.