Kranj, Slovenia (AP) — EU CEO demands that the right-wing government end a funding rift with a major telecommunications company in a small Alpine country, and the Presidency of the European Union in Slovenia is tense on Thursday We got off to a rocky start.

At a news event announcing the arrival of a six-month term in Slovenia’s EU, European Commission President Ursula von der Aleien also urged Prime Minister Janesyansha to promptly nominate a representative of the EU Prosecutor’s Office. did. Blocks from 27 countries.

“We need important media and free media to monitor government activities and, for example, the activities of the European Commission. This is the essence of democracy,” said the stone-faced Fonde Araien. I told reporters when I visited Slovenia with a team of commissioners.

“Slovenia believes it needs to ensure the independence and adequate funding of public services provided by government agencies, so it turns out that a quick solution will unblock financing. I’m looking forward to it and will follow up on the development, “she said.

The Janez administration has been under increasing pressure in recent months in preparation for the EU Presidency. This is primarily a bureaucratic role that sets the agenda and is an “honest broker” who seeks to facilitate file adoption in a wide range of European policies.

Last month, about 20,000 people gathered in the central square of the capital Ljubljana, demanding the resignation of the government and the implementation of early elections. Several trade unions and opposition parties participated in the demonstration.

Critics have accused Janša of increasingly envisioning an authoritarian approach similar to his ally, Hungarian hardline Prime Minister Victor Oban. They claim that the Jansha administration has put pressure on the Slovenian media, spurred hate speech, and mishandled the coronavirus crisis.

He has been specifically scrutinized to secure funding for STA, the only news agency in Slovenia.

But on Thursday, he somewhat mysteriously said, “In Europe, you usually pay when you receive an invoice. Our problem is that you need a document.” He didn’t provide the details, He said he hopes the problem will be resolved this fall.

Brussels officials are also concerned that Jansha has delayed the appointment of two legal experts to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, a new agency that launched this month with a brief description of tackling EU budget-related fraud. Was.

“This is an important factor in protecting EU taxpayers’ money,” said Von der Leyen. “It is very good that Slovenia has signed up for it, and now Slovenia must provide and cooperate with EPPO.”

“I expect the Prime Minister to urgently submit the candidate’s name to EPPO,” she said.

Von der Leyen said the EU administration approved Slovenia’s economic recovery plan with a € 1.8 billion ($ 2.1 billion) grant and a € 705 million ($ 863 million) loan. It was done just as it was ready to serve.

Commission experts said the appointment of a representative to the public prosecutor’s office was not a requirement for the plan to be approved.

Such opportunities are usually characterized by good humor. But as a sign of tension behind the scenes, Vice President of von der Leyen, Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, refused to participate in a “family photo” between the Slovenian cabinet and its members. did.

It came after Yansa, complaining about leftist politicians, displayed a picture of two Slovenian judges with members of the opposition.

“We couldn’t stand on the same podium after Jansha was hit by an unacceptable attack,” Timmermans said in a statement after the meeting. He added that the independence of the judiciary and respect for the role of elected civil servants (in this case from his own Socialist Party group) are the basis of the rule of law.

“We can’t stop calling people to attack it,” he said.

“Without a prosecutor delegated to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, we cannot efficiently investigate all allegations of fraud,” said Laura Kobesi of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office last month. “The apparent lack of sincere cooperation between the Slovenian authorities and EPPO undermines confidence in the effective functioning of EU fund management and management systems in Slovenia,” she said.