DOCSLIB.ORG

EIB Information 3-2007 (N°128)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
EIB Information 3-2007 (N°128) 8 2 1 ° N N° 128 The information magazine of the European Investment Bank Groupt3 – 2007t*44/ 8 10 20 Three new The EIB expands Vice-Presidents New EIB office its operations at the EIB in Helsinki to the East 2007 EIB Forum Energy Efficiency and Renewables Topping the EIB Agenda The 2007 EIB Forum held Andrej Bajuk, Slovenian Minister for Finance, and Philippe Maystadt, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on EIB President. 27 and 28 September set the scene for open debate on one of Europe’s most pressing topics: Investing in Energy – Mastering Climate Change. Leading government officials, academics and industry representatives provided food for thought on how best to translate European objectives into concrete solutions. Ë here can be little debate on the need for clear and immediate action to combat climate change, reduce harmful emissions and manage energy demand on a global scale. Reflection on the current situation and on the measures that need to be taken came at a very appropri CORPORATE ISSUES ate time for Slovenia. &*#'PSVNo&OFSHZ&GGJDJFODZBOE 1 Renewables Topping the EIB Agenda "TQBSUJDJQBOUTJOUIF'PSVNBSSJWFEJO-KVCMKBOB UIFCFBVUZPGUIFDPVOUSZT &*#8FCTJUF/FX-PPLBOE'FFM 6 green environment could only have made a lasting impression. Yet national &OIBODJOH5SBOTQBSFODZBOE6TFS'SJFOEMJOFTT pride in the inspiring countryside was overshadowed by widespread de EIB applies the Aarhus Regulation 10 struction caused by floods that claimed the lives of six people. &*'TJODSFBTFJODBQJUBMoTPXJOHUIFTFFET 17 for a successful future Time to act EIB seminar on financing clean energy 26 Slovenian Minister for Finance, Andrej Bajuk, voiced strong political sup 8*5)*/&6 port for the need to take proactive measures to avoid further disasters. In +"41&34GVMMZPOUSBDLUXPZFBSTBGUFSMBVODI 11 IJTPQFOJOHBEESFTTUPEFMFHBUFT IFTUBUFE JESSICA ready to tackle the urban challenge 13 “We all know how painful the consequences of natural disasters are: just one 4VDDFTTGVMUBLFPGG 15 week ago we experienced torrential rains in various regions of Slovenia with for the Risk Sharing Finance Facility devastating consequences. We need to act. Now that Europe has a concrete OUTSIDE EU agenda we have to meet its targets at minimum cost. The benefits of moving FEMIP develops the venture capital sector 19 forward swiftly will far outweigh the economic costs of failure to act.” JO-FCBOPO The EIB expands its operations to the East 20 As Slovenia prepares to take on the Presidency of the European Union for &6"GSJDB*OGSBTUSVDUVSF5SVTU'VOE UIFTJYNPOUIQFSJPEGSPN+BOVBSZUP+VOF .JOJTUFS#BKVLTBJEFOWJ 22 encouraging first results ronmental sustainability would be placed at the core of his country’s ap proach to the energy market. EASSy project 24 */5&3/"-*446&4 Europe – a world leader (BKǗDLB 4DBOOBQJFDPBOE4SFKCFS/FXNFNCFST 8 of EIB’s Management Committee Welcoming the participants and setting the agenda for discussion, EIB Presi EIB opens office in Helsinki 10 dent Philippe Maystadt underlined the importance of Europe’s role in the USBOTJUJPOUPBMPXDBSCPOHMPCBMFDPOPNZ EIB Senior Management Cadre Appointments 25 5IF&*#XBOUTUPPCUBJOUIF(SFFO-BCFM 27 As many of the speakers at the Forum concurred, innovative technologies /FX&*#QVCMJDBUJPOT 28 and the effective use of capital can offer Europe a unique competitive ad vantage in the drive to promote energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energies. “Until […] international agreements are reached, the European Union must continue to play a pioneering role. And it can do so. Europe has the scientific and technical knowledge to develop practical solutions. It also has the finan- cial resources to be able to bear the costs of implementing new technologies and regulatory systems. What’s more, playing such a pioneering role is likely, ultimately, to have an economic pay-off.” EIB Information is published periodically by the Communication Department of the European Investment Bank. As Slovenia prepares to take on &EJUPSJODIBSHF%BOJFMB4BDDIJ$SFNNFS the Presidency of the European -BZPVU&*#HSBQIJDTXPSLTIPQ 4BCJOF5JTTPU 6OJPOGPSUIFTJYNPOUIQFSJPE GSPN+BOVBSZUP+VOF 1IPUPT&*#QIPUPHSBQIJDMJCSBSZ Minister Bajuk said environmental Material which appears in EIB Information may be freely sustainability would be placed at reproduced; an acknowledgement and clipping of any the core of his country’s approach article published would be appreciated. to the energy market. CORPORATE ISSUES Financing projects supporting Session I: Energy futures Europe’s objectives President Maystadt underlined the impor tant role that the EIB must play in support of the EU energy agenda. The European $PVODJMPG.BSDITFUJUTFMGDIBMMFOHJOH Simon Brooks, Dr Karl Kellner, Stefan Singer, Richard Hosier, Henri-Luc Thibault, targets when it laid down the Action Plan EIB Vice-President European Commission WWF Global Environment Facility Plan Bleu GPS&OFSHZ1PMJDZ Session II: Energy supply t BSFEVDUJPOJOHSFFOIPVTFHBTFNJT TJPOTCZDPNQBSFEUP t BUBSHFUPGBTIBSFPGSFOFXBCMFFO ergies in overall energy consumption by Torsten Gersfelt, Marko Kryžanowski, Johannes Heithoff, Helmut Engelbrecht, Christine Lins, EIB Vice-President Petrol, Slovenia RWE Power Research and URENCO, UK European Renewable Development, Germany Energy Council t BNJOJNVNUBSHFUPGGPSUIFTIBSFPG biofuels in petrol and diesel consumption Session III: Energy demand for transport; t increased energy efficiency in the EU to BDIJFWFBTBWJOHPGFOFSHZDPOTVNQ UJPODPNQBSFEUPQSPKFDUJPOTGPS Christian Egenhofer, Peter Hennicke, Graham Smith, Nico Wietor, Prof. Dr Uwe Wullkopf, Harry Verhaar, The EIB’s own energy policy, ‘Clean Energy for Centre for European Wuppertal Institute Former Deputy Prime Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister of Yased - International Policy Studies, CEPS for Climate, Minister, Serbia Cyprus Economy and Energy, Investors Association &VSPQFBSFJOGPSDFE&*#DPOUSJCVUJPO MBZTPVU Environment and Energy Bulgaria Turkey concrete targets contributing towards the goals of the EU. (For further information on Session IV: Financing energy UIF&*#T&OFSHZ1PMJDZTFF&*#*OGP/P The EIB’s commitment was further highlight FEBUUIF-KVCMKBOB'PSVN XIFSFUIF#BOL signed loans to the energy sector to the value PGBMNPTU&63N GVMMZDPNQMJBOUXJUIUIF EU’s strategy for the sector. Christian Egenhofer, Dr Franc Križanic, Seb Walhain, Chris Greenwood, Håkan Karlström, Centre for European Policy Economic Institute of the Law Environmental Products, New Energy Finance, UK Ministry of Enterprise Innovation and cooperation Studies, CEPS School, Slovenia FORTIS and Energy, Sweden These two words dominated much of the debate throughout the conference. Al though centred on the topic of the ener EIB support for natural disaster relief gy marketplace, the Forum turned its at UFOUJPOPONBOZPDDBTJPOTUPUIF-JTCPO and prevention Agenda, the EU’s Action Plan to establish Over the course of the last ten years, the EIB has provided loans addressing natural ca- BDPNQFUJUJWF JOOPWBUJWFBOELOPXMFEHF tastrophes, or preventing them, amounting to some EUR 3.5bn. For example, the EIB based European economy, capable of has provided credit support to countries or regions severely hit by disasters, including sustainable economic growth and greater the Czech Republic and Romania in 2006, the UK in 2004, Austria, Algeria, the Czech TPDJBMDPIFTJPOCZ Republic, Germany and Italy in 2002, and Poland and Hungary in 2001. It has also fi- nanced reconstruction in countries hit by severe earthquakes (Italy in 1999 and 2000, Karl Kellner of the European Commission’s Turkey in 2001, Algeria in 2003), and Asian countries affected by the 2004 Tsunami. %JSFDUPSBUF(FOFSBMGPS&OFSHZBOE5SBOT The Bank is also considering providing a loan of EUR 100m to support the regenera- port, and Richard Hosier, Head of the Climate tion of areas in Greece affected by the fires of summer 2007. Change Department at the Global Environ ment Facility, underlined the need to turn If requested, the EIB is prepared to provide loans to finance flood relief and prevention technological opportunities into business measures that would address the damage caused by September’s floods in Slovenia. realities, gaining a competitive advantage for Europe. Ë EIB Information 3 – 2007 3 CORPORATE ISSUES Forum Signatures On the first day of the 2007 Forum in Ljubljana, the EIB signed three loans amounting to EUR 393m for energy projects in the host country, Slovenia. The central thread running through these operations was the Bank’s sup- port for environmental improvement in the country. A loan of EUR 350m was provided for the modernisation and increased efficiency of electricity generation from the local fuel resource, lignite. Although lignite is a fossil fuel, this project aims to render a significant reduction (28%) in the carbon intensity of the electricity produced, and simultaneously provide heat to the local district heating system. sitive issue of satisfying customer demand A second loan, worth EUR 13m, went towards the completion of the construction in a sustainable manner. In the European and operation of the first pumped-storage hydropower plant on the Soča River. context, this is a matter open to individual The project, which will use off-peak electricity to pump water at night and reverse interpretation, the EU having stated that the flow to generate power at peak times, will lower Slovenia’s dependency on Member States are free to define their own fossil fuels and therefore help cut greenhouse gas emissions. FOFSHZNJYXJUIJOUIFGSBNFXPSLPGUIF6O Finally, a framework loan of EUR 30m was signed, benefiting small and medi- ion’s
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pension Reforms in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: Legislation, Implementation and Sustainability
    Department of Political and Social Sciences Pension Reforms in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: Legislation, Implementation and Sustainability Igor Guardiancich Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of Political and Social Sciences of the European University Institute Florence, October 2009 EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE Department of Political and Social Sciences Pension Reforms in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: Legislation, Implementation and Sustainability Igor Guardiancich Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of Political and Social Sciences of the European University Institute Examining Board: Prof. Martin Rhodes, University of Denver/formerly EUI (Supervisor) Prof. Nicholas Barr, London School of Economics Prof. Martin Kohli, European University Institute Prof. Tine Stanovnik, Univerza v Ljubljani © 2009, Igor Guardiancich No part of this thesis may be copied, reproduced or transmitted without prior permission of the author Guardiancich, Igor (2009), Pension Reforms in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: Legislation, implementation and sustainability European University Institute DOI: 10.2870/1700 Guardiancich, Igor (2009), Pension Reforms in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: Legislation, implementation and sustainability European University Institute DOI: 10.2870/1700 Acknowledgments No PhD dissertation is a truly individual endeavour and this one is no exception to the rule. Rather it is a collective effort that I managed with the help of a number of people, mostly connected with the EUI community, to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude. In particular, I would like to thank all my interviewees, my supervisors Prof. Martin Rhodes and Prof. Martin Kohli, as well as Prof. Tine Stanovnik for continuing intellectual support and invaluable input to the thesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploratory Analysis of News Sentiment Using Subgroup Discovery
    Exploratory analysis of news sentiment using subgroup discovery Anita Valmarska Luis Adrian´ Cabrera-Diego Senja Pollak Jozefˇ Stefan Institute and Elvys Linhares Pontes Jozefˇ Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 L3i laboratory Jamova cesta 39 and University of Ljubljana, University of La Rochelle Ljubljana, Slovenia Faculty of Computer La Rochelle, France [email protected] and information science luis.cabrera diego, Vecnaˇ pot 113 elvys.linhares pontes Ljubljana, Slovenia [email protected] [email protected] Abstract fake news identification (Bhutani et al., 2019) and in media bias analysis (El Ali et al., 2018). In this study, we present an exploratory anal- In the current trend of natural language process- ysis of a Slovenian news corpus, in which we ing research (Rogers and Augenstein, 2020), the investigate the association between named en- main focus is on improving the predictive perfor- tities and sentiment in the news. We propose a methodology that combines Named Entity mance over state-of-the art especially using deep Recognition and Subgroup Discovery - a de- learning-based methods. The drawback of these scriptive rule learning technique for identify- models is in their very limited interpretability. In ing groups of examples that share the same contrast, several data and text mining techniques class label (sentiment) and pattern (features - have been developed to improve domain under- Named Entities). The approach is used to in- standing and support exploratory analysis of data, duce the positive and negative sentiment class with focus on explainable models, which is crucial rules that reveal interesting patterns related e.g. in medical applications, but also interesting for to different Slovenian and international politi- cians, organizations, and locations.
    [Show full text]
  • Reform of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Slovenia
    Reform of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Slovenia Jernej Letnar Černič, Matej Avbelj, Marko Novak, Dejan Valentinčič New University Faculty of Government and European Studies Jernej Letnar Černič, Matej Avbelj, Marko Novak, Dejan Valentinčič Reform of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Slovenia Title of the original publication Jernej Letnar Černič, Matej Avbelj, Marko Novak, Dejan Valentinčič, Reforma demokratične in pravne države v Sloveniji, Kranj: Nova univerza, Fakulteta za državne in evropske študije, cop. 2018. Editor Jernej Letnar Černič Original title (Slovenian) Reforma demokratične in pravne države v Sloveniji Translated by Aleš Lampe Design Tiskarna Januš Publisher New university Faculty of Government and European Studies Žanova 3 4000 Kranj Slovenia 2019 First edition © Jernej Letnar Černič et al., 2019 Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani COBISS.SI-ID=299668224 ISBN 978-961-6901-12-3 (pdf) This publication was co-financed by the Slovenian Research Agency (research project J5­7359). 2 Table of contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 4 2 Slovenia as a democracy governed by the rule of law ................................................... 6 3 Reform of the Slovenian legislative branch .................................................................. 11 4 Reform of the Slovenian executive branch ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Andrej Bajuk: I Am Convinced That Any Increase in Salaries, Which Would in Real Terms Exceed Productivity, Is Destructive
    politicsenviroment 2 culturebusinesssports January 2008 A Historic Opening Meeting: The European commission and the Slovenian government discuss key challenges Janez Janša: Presidency Wants to Increase satisfaction of EU Andrej Bajuk: I am convinced that any increase in salaries, which would in real terms exceed productivity, is destructive Our excellence: Dreamachine, when the sky is the limit − custom made motorcycles ISSN 1854-0805 QUOTESofTHEfortnight Janez Janπa /Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia/ Presidency wants to increase the satisfaction of EU, Strasbourg, 16 January: ”It is our greatest wish that our contribution will,month by month, increase the general happiness of European citizens. That, in time, some day any person you meet on the street anywhere in the European Union will without hesitation answer, when asked whether he or she cares about the future of the European Union, “I care about Europe because I know that Europe cares about me.” Jan Figel /European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth/ One and one always makes more than two, Ljubljana, 7 January: “We wish to exceed multicultural societies, where cultures and cultural communities simply cohabit and live parallel lives. The study of racial disturbances in Great Britain, where they ‘only live side by side’ is worrying, so genuine dialogue that is not a sum of individual quotes is the more important − in it, one and one always makes more than two.” Danilo Türk /President of Slovenia/ The European Parliament is the biggest place of European synergy, Ljubljana, 8 January: “The European Parliament is actually the biggest and most interesting place of European synergy.
    [Show full text]
  • ASEM Conference
    ASEM Conference Asia, Europe and the Future of Regional Economic Integration Date: Sunday 15 June 2008 Venue: Halla Hall, Shilla Hotel, Jeju, Korea Organisers: Ministry of Strategy and Finance of Republic of Korea Ministry of Finance of Slovenia, and European Commission REGISTRATION (08:30 - 09:00) OPENING SESSION – ASEM: A BRIDGE FOR COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION (09:00 - 09:40) Opening Remarks: Joong Kyung Choi, Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance, Korea - Keynote Speech: Christine Lagarde, Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment, France - Keynote Speech: Il SaKong, Special Economic Advisor to the President, Chairman of the Presidential Council on National Competitiveness, Korea SESSION II – DEEPENING ASIAN INTEGRATION: THE RELEVANCE OF THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE (09:40-11:00) This session will discuss the pattern of Asian economic and financial integration regarding the European experience and the challenges ahead. The session will precede the Ministers’ discussions the next day on the same issue for which Professor Wyplosz and Professor Park will produce a study (commissioned by the EC). More than "backward looking" (or stock- taking), the session will focus on policy implications of deeper regional integration in Asia and on EU-Asia cooperation. The EU experience provides a good opportunity to transmit political messages on sensitive issues such as currency regimes and the need for countries to take into account the interest of their neighbours and partners when they deal with exchange rates. Chair: Akira Kojima, Chairman of the Japan Center for Economic Research Speakers: Yung Chul Park, Professor at Korea University and Charles Wyplosz, Professor at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies of Geneva, “Monetary and Financial Integration in East Asia: The Relevance of European Experience” (20’) Discussants: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Cleavages and Government in Slovenia and Montenegro
    Cleavages and Government in Slovenia and Montenegro ALENKA KRAŠOVEC AND NEMANJA BATRIĆEVIĆ Politics in Central Europe (ISSN: 1801-3422) Vol. 16, No. 3 DOI: 10.2478/pce-2020-0027 Abstract: In this article we identify the factors that contribute to the formation and especially the durability/stability of governments in both Slovenia and Montenegro after they formally introduced multiparty systems and following their democratic transi‑ tion, with a focus on the effect of cleavages and party system characteristics generally. Although these two polities share several important similarities (small size, common institutional setting during Yugoslav era, aspirations for membership in international organisations etc.), the nature of governments’ durability/stability in the democratic era entails distinct differences. While Montenegro stands out in post ‑socialist Europe as the only case where the ruling party has not been overthrown, Slovenia has been led by many governments composed of different political parties. While it seems that in neither country are the ideological characteristics of the governments able to explain their duration/stability to any important extent, it is obvious that the cleavage structure in the two countries has varied, as has the importance of particular cleavages. Keywords: cleavage, government, duration, political party, democratisation Introduction In a typical modern representative democracy, the government is a branch of power. Discussions about governments often raise issues involving the forma‑ tion of governments as well as their duration/survival. Government formation lies at the heart of representative politics because it provides the essential connections between ordinary individuals’ preferences and the ambitions of politicians, between elections and party competition, and between legislative POLITICS IN CENTRAL EUROPE 16 (2020) 3 593 politics, policymaking and governance of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae from Political Prisoner to Prime Minister Janez
    Curriculum Vitae From Political Prisoner to Prime Minister Janez Janša was born on 17 September 1958 in Ljubljana as the second of three children. He attended primary school at Žalna and in Grosuplje, and at the classical gimnazija in Stična. In 1982, Janša graduated in defence studies from the Faculty of Sociology, Political Science and Journalism. Beginnings of a career After graduating, Janša became a trainee at the then Republican Secretariat for Defence, where he sat for his professional exam. At the end of 1982, Janša was appointed president of the Committee for Basic People's Defence and Social Self-Protection within the framework of the former youth organisation (ZSMS). His presentation of a critical view of conditions within the Yugoslav People's Army, which were labelled as counter-revolutionary, marks the beginning of Janez Janša's dissidence. It was followed by strict surveillance of Janša and his associates by the State Security Service, political sanctions, and limitation and prevention of his public work. Among the leaders of the Slovene Spring The political restrictions put on Janez Janša permeated all aspects of his life, and he thus lost any possibility of employment in state institutions or companies. Between 1985 and 1986, he was turned down in 250 cases when he applied for publicly advertised positions for which he was fully qualified. During this time, Janez Janša became politically active in newly emerging pacifist and environmental movements, which were considered "socially disruptive" by the authorities. He earned his living by writing computer programmes and doing occasional "high-altitude" jobs along with his friends from the mountaineering club.
    [Show full text]
  • Slovenian Foreign Minister to Visit the United States U.S. Senate Hears
    Newsletter April 11, 2008 Page 1 Current Events Slovenian Foreign Minister Mr. Frank Urbancic, a career to Visit the United States U.S. diplomat, was also among March 27 - May 17 - Herman the nominees, and was Potočnik Noordung Exhibit. April 11-14 - Minister of previously nominated to be U.S. Embassy of Slovenia. Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and Ambassador to the Republic of President of the EU General Cyprus. As his last name Upcoming Events Affairs and External Relations suggests, Mr. Urbancic is of Council Dr. Dimitrij Rupel will Slovenian descent and his family April 10 - 14 - Minister of travel to the United States, comes from Pivka. Finance Dr. Andrej Bajuk will where he will be visiting Boston, attend the Spring Meeting of New York and Washington, DC. World Bank and IMF in Washington, DC. In Boston, the Minister will visit Brandeis University, and in New April 14 - Minister of Foreign York, he will meet with UN Affairs of Slovenia Dr. Dimitrij Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Rupel will visit Washington, DC. In Washington, the Minister will meet with the U.S. Secretary of mid-April - Delegation of the State Condoleezza Rice and the Parliamentary Commission for National Security Advisor Mr. Yousif B. Ghafari (right) and Mr. Slovenes Abroad will arrive on a Stephen Hadley and address the Frank Urbancic, Jr. (left) several-day visit to Cleveland, Permanent Council of the Chicago, New York and Organization of American Washington, D.C. States. Address by Senator Barack Obama to Mr. Yousif Ghafari: April 14 at 4:30 p.m. - "Slovenia * * * and the Global Economy: Doing Slovenia has been on Business with the EU's Eastern U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Gutachten Zum Stand Der Politischen Und Wirtschaftlichen
    Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2003 Slovenia Status Index 9.6 Management Index 7.0 (Democracy: 5.0 / Market Economy: 4.6) System of government Parliamentary Population 2.0 Mio. Democracy GDP p. c. ($, PPP) 17,130 Voter turnout 55.5 % Unemployment rate 6.9 % Women in Parliament 12.2 % HDI 0.881 Population growth 0.5 % UN-Education Index 0.94 Largest ethnic community - Gini-Index 28.4 (1998) Figures for 2001 – if not indicated otherwise. a) Annual growth between 1975 and 2001. Sources: UNDP: Human Development Report 2003. 1. Introduction The assessment period (1998–2003) in Slovenia was marked by early parliamentary elections in 2000, as well as presidential and local elections in December 2002. All elections served to confirm support for Janez Drnovšek, who is now president. Since the first free elections in 1990 following Slovenia’s the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, the Liberal Democratic Party of Slovenia (LDS) party led by Drnovšek has run the government with various coalition partners with only brief interruptions. Then the acting prime minister, Drnovšek first stood for election in the summer of 2002 for the office of president, and was supported by then-President Milan Kučan, who had already served the maximum two terms. As expected, Drnovšek won the runoff election in December 2002, with 56.54 % of the vote, against his opponent, Barbara Brezigar, Slovenia’s chief public prosecutor. The continuity of leadership personnel is an important hallmark of the stability and consolidation in the Slovenian transformation process. Drnovšek is a well- seasoned representative of the post-communist establishment who has proven his integration capabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering the Partisans and Yugoslav Socialism: Memories and Counter-Memories
    Maruša Pušnik: Remembering the Partisans and Yugoslav socialism: Memories and counter-memories Remembering the Partisans and Yugoslav socialism: Memories and counter-memories Maru{a Pu{nik University of Ljubljana, [email protected] Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the politics of memory and the transformations of memories of WWII and socialist Yugoslavia in the present-day Slovenia. I focus on the grass-roots, bottom-up memories that invade Slovenian public space, and I investigate 174 in-depth interviews with the middle- and old-age people. In this regard, the Slovenian nation is divided, positive memories of Yugoslav socialism’s well-being and prosperity and the heroic Partisan struggle strongly clash with negative counter-memories of com- munist repression and Partisan inter-and post-war killings of Home Guards. The forced forgetting of WWII, the Partisans and Yugoslavia, which is promoted also by politically institutionalised top-down politics of memory, is created also in the popular, bottom-up memories of the informants. Such memory politics foster antitotalitarian and anti-com- munist discourses, creates Communism as the Other and produces Slovenian nationalism. Moreover, it blurs the WWII liberator-aggressor paradigm, when it suddenly becomes unclear who was liberator and who was aggressor during WWII, and it absolutely equates Hitler’s Nazism with Communism. KEYWORDS: memory politics, Slovenian memory landscape, Yugoslavia, WWII, re- gime of memory-truth ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTEBOOKS 23 (1): 71–91. ISSN 1408-032X © Slovene Anthropological Society 2017 71 Anthropological Notebooks, XXIII/1, 2017 Introduction: Conflicting narratives about the past The enormous break marked by the disappearance of communist revolutionary Yugoslavia,1 which was grounded in the history of Partisan struggle,2 was also characterised by the transformation of the repository of the Slovenian nation’s collective memory.
    [Show full text]
  • Clientelism and Slovenian Public Administration Reform
    polish 4()’ 180 12 sociological review ISSN 1231 – 1413 LEA PRIJON School of Advanced Social Studies in Nova Gorica Clientelism and Slovenian Public Administration Reform Abstract: Since disintegration of former Yugoslavia, Slovenia applied series of reforms in all spheres of life, including public administration. The main reform was contracted on introduction of modern trends in public administration. The article discusses main reforms of Slovenian public administration and their efficiency to change the bureaucratic system into an effective modern one. However, the article aims to understand modern Slovenian public administration within the elitist approach, which seems to explain certain malfunctions of Slovenian public administration after these reforms. Keywords: Slovenia, public administration, bureaucracy, elite, post-communist reforms Introduction Despite it seems that reforms of public administration are a fact all around the world, there are countries where these reforms are much more needed and it seems that they are also more systematically observed due to different reasons. One of such cases is Slovenia and reforms of its public administration. Other countries were interested in Slovenian public administration reform (same can be argued for other Central and Eastern European countries), due to two main reasons. The first one is connected with democratization process in former socialist/communist countries. The second reason is mainly connected to the European Union, which wanted Slovenia to har- monise its public administration with “European standards of public administration.” Technically speaking, Slovenia fulfilled the criteria of professionalism, low level of corruption, high level of transparency and modernisation and was thus accepted in the European Union in 2004. However, from national perspective, the situation seems to be much differ- ent and some questions on basic principles of successfulness of public adminis- tration reform arise over and over again.
    [Show full text]
  • Kefallonitou
    Strasbourg, 29 September 2000 Restricted <cdl\doc\2000\cdl\77e.doc> CDL (2000) 77 Or. English EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) Opinion of the Rapporteurs on the Constitutional Amendments concerning Legislative Elections in Slovenia This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera pas distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. CDL (2000) 77 2 By letters of 21 July and 7 September 2000, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Andrej Bajuk, addressed to the European Commission for Democracy through Law the question whether amendments introduced to the Constitution of Slovenia concerning provisions on Parliamentary elections, by which a proportional electoral system with a threshold of 4% for access to the distribution of seats in the National Assembly is established, is compatible with European democratic traditions and standards. The request indicated in this respect that these amendments conflict with the decision of the people as expressed in a referendum and decisions of the Constitutional Court. The Commission’s Rapporteurs, Messrs Antonio La Pergola, Pieter van Dijk and Sergio Bartole, examined the factual and legal background of the request for an opinion which can be summarised as follows: (see the summary of facts in Doc CDL (2000) 61 and the Prime Minister’s letter of 7 September 2000). The Rapporteurs note that the question raised by the Prime Minister concerns the relationship between the people’s power, exercised in accordance with the Constitution (Article 90), and the National Assembly’s power to amend the Constitution.
    [Show full text]