Patria scandal taking new twist

Slovenian politicians and the media are still dealing with the fall-out from the Patria affair. While the scandal keeps inflaming passions on the Slovenian political scene, the country’s media is focusing on an interview Prime Minister Janez Jansa gave to a commercial Finnish TV station. Patria scandal taking new twist The ruling coalition insists that the entire Patria case is a conspiracy conceived by the Slovenian opposition and the “Truth about Patria” program’s producers. The opposition refutes these allegations and is looking at the consequences of the possible cancellation of the deal with the Finnish company Patria. Meanwhile, at a parliamentary session that lasted for 11 hours, the Slovenian ruling majority stated that the Slovenian ministry had acted in accordance with the law when it purchased armored vehicles from Patria. The ruling majority also stressed that it supported the work of the police and prosecution in the Patria case and that if corruption is proven to have taken place, the contract should be cancelled under the anti-corruption clause in the contract. The Slovenian government also stated that the president of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Drago Kos, should either supply evidence to back up his allegations broadcast on Finnish YLE TV, or resign. Meanwhile, Jansa has given an interview to Finnish commercial TV station Channel 4, after the Finnish state broadcaster refused to broadcast “a sequel to the Patria case program,” for which the Slovenian Bureau for Communication offered broadcasting material. Therefore, Jansa decided to give an interview to Channel 4 journalist Maria Veitola, whose talk show is famous for its controversial content. Slovenian daily Finance writes that the show features porn stars, races in high heels, and many other themes that include nudity, sexuality and the bizarre. Finance, in an article entitled “Jansa in the company of porn stars”, stated that the talk show only featured politicians on rare occasions and that its host had a blog with posts such as: “The ten craziest and most amusing positions,” “ My breasts are waiting for you,” "Discover a reliable source for cheap and quality (illicit) drugs” etc. Slovenian daily Dnevnik states that one of the program’s former guests was famous American porn star Ron Jeremy, with whom Veitola discussed the size of his penis. Slovenian media have already broadcast parts of Wednesday night’s interview with Jansa which the host ended with the Star Wars farewell—“May the Force be with you”. Janez Jansa (FoNet, archive)

Patria scandal taking new twist

The ruling coalition insists that the entire Patria case is a conspiracy conceived by the Slovenian opposition and the “Truth about Patria” program’s producers.

The opposition refutes these allegations and is looking at the consequences of the possible cancellation of the deal with the Finnish company Patria.

Meanwhile, at a parliamentary session that lasted for 11 hours, the Slovenian ruling majority stated that the Slovenian ministry had acted in accordance with the law when it purchased armored vehicles from Patria.

The ruling majority also stressed that it supported the work of the police and prosecution in the Patria case and that if corruption is proven to have taken place, the contract should be cancelled under the anti-corruption clause in the contract. The Slovenian government also stated that the president of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Drago Kos, should either supply evidence to back up his allegations broadcast on Finnish YLE TV, or resign.

Meanwhile, Janša has given an interview to Finnish commercial TV station Channel 4, after the Finnish state broadcaster refused to broadcast “a sequel to the Patria case program,” for which the Slovenian Bureau for Communication offered broadcasting material.

Therefore, Janša decided to give an interview to Channel 4 journalist Maria Veitola, whose talk show is famous for its controversial content.

Slovenian daily Finance writes that the show features porn stars, races in high heels, and many other themes that include nudity, sexuality and the bizarre.

Finance, in an article entitled “Janša in the company of porn stars”, stated that the talk show only featured politicians on rare occasions and that its host had a blog with posts such as: “The ten craziest and most amusing positions,” “ My breasts are waiting for you,” "Discover a reliable source for cheap and quality (illicit) drugs” etc.

Slovenian daily Dnevnik states that one of the program’s former guests was famous American porn star Ron Jeremy, with whom Veitola discussed the size of his penis.

Slovenian media have already broadcast parts of Wednesday night’s interview with Janša which the host ended with the Star Wars farewell—“May the Force be with you”.