This Alpine country of 2 million inhabitants was the first state from Yugoslavia to join the European Union in 2004, joining the euro area and the Schengen area in 2007.
But in Brussels, some observers are worried.
Slovenia is led by Janez Janša of the Slovenian Democratic Party (EPP) who often makes populist comments about migrants.
His role model, his “friend and ally” Viktor Orbán, is the strong man of Hungary, and Janez Janša seems to want to align his country with the reactionary policies of Budapest and the Visegrád group.
We are going to meet the political leaders of the majority and of the opposition: Gašper Dovžan, Slovenian State Secretary for European Affairs, who will answer our questions and the criticisms of the European partners;
MEP Franc Bogovič, linked to the ruling party;
opposition MEPs Tanja Fajon (Socialists and Democrats group) and Klemen Grošelj (Renew Europe group).
In this first part, on the occasion of the 30 years of the country's independence, we wonder why Slovenia escaped the bloodbath experienced by its neighbors - Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina - after the collapse of Yugoslavia. And we meet the man who was president at this crucial moment in the country's history, Milan Kučan, to ask him how he views Slovenia's progress since independence.
Our second report is an investigation into the rule of law in Slovenia, which has been particularly criticized at European level - especially with regard to press freedom, with a Prime Minister hostile to critical voices from his country.
We meet with actors in the Slovenian media world to understand the impact of the continuing pressure from the government against them - especially after an article signed by the Prime Minister himself, entitled "A war with the media".
A program presented by Caroline de Camaret, produced by Johan Bodin, with images by Olivier Molinari and the participation of Luke Brown.
In partnership with the European Union.
The project was co-financed by the European Union within the framework of the European Parliament grants program in the field of communication.
The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is in no way responsible for or bound by any information, information or views expressed in connection with the project for which only the authors, individuals interviewed, the editors or broadcasters of the program are responsible in accordance with applicable law.
Nor can the European Parliament be held liable for any damage, direct or indirect, which may result from the implementation of the project.
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