An important participant was missing from the “family photo” that was taken during the EU Commission's visit to Slovenia on Thursday: Frans Timmermans, first deputy to President Ursula von der Leyen.

That was on purpose - the Social Democrat didn't want to be in the picture.

Because before there had been a scandal behind closed doors in the Brdo congress center.

Thomas Gutschker

Political correspondent for the European Union, NATO and the Benelux countries based in Brussels.

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    The national conservative head of government Janez Janša complained that the Slovenian judiciary had been infiltrated by “communist judges”. As participants later reported, he showed a photo: Judges and politicians from the Social Democratic Party could be seen on it. Von der Leyen immediately intervened, it was said, and had warned Janša: Judges must be treated with respect, even if they belonged to another party.

    The takeover of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, which was the reason for the Commission's visit, immediately began with discord. At the subsequent press conference, both von der Leyen and Janša took part with a petrified expression and hardly looked at each other. "Political dialogue requires respect for all political parties," said von der Leyen, referring specifically to judges who belonged to another party. The scandal occurred at the end of an exchange on the Slovenian work program when the discussion turned to the subject of the rule of law.

    The Commission President publicly issued a clear warning to Janša to adhere to the values ​​of the EU.

    Slovenia must ensure the "independence and adequate funding" of the state news agency, she said.

    Janša has called the agency a “national disgrace” and has long withheld public funds to which she is entitled.

    Janša refers to "cultural differences"

    In addition, von der Leyen demanded that the country finally appoint delegated prosecutors for the new EU public prosecutor's office.

    "I am counting on the prime minister to submit names as a matter of urgency," she said.

    Janša had rejected the candidates already selected and wants to restart the procedure.

    The country's justice minister, who belongs to a coalition partner, resigned.

    Janša herself tried at the press conference not to add fuel to the fire. “The rule of law is the fundamental framework of European civilization. It would not exist without the rule of law, ”he said. When asked when he would release funds for the news agency, he cryptically replied: “In Europe, you pay the bill when it is presented.” New prosecutors would be appointed “by autumn”. Until then, the EU public prosecutor's office, which started work at the beginning of June, cannot de facto investigate in the country. The head of government did not want to explain in more detail why he supports the controversial Hungarian law, which is supposed to "protect" children from homosexuality. He made general reference to the right of parents to raise their children and to “cultural differences” in a Union of 27 Member States.