Slovenia’s new Parliament speaker vows Moscow visit, doubles down on NATO exit referendum

During a prime time TV talk show on Wednesday, Zoran Stevanović, the leader of the Resni.ca party, who was elected president (speaker) of Slovenia’s National Assembly last Friday, doubled down with statements putting in doubt the country’s geopolitical orientation.

During the show, he firmly reiterated his intention to travel to the Russian capital, noting that the timing would depend on the foreign policy department and official protocol.

“I will absolutely go to Moscow,” Stevanović repeated. He stressed that before the elections, his party had promised to “build bridges, forge alliances, and act in Slovenia’s interest.” He added that they aim to “be friends with everyone and not look for enemies”.

Although he has not yet received an official invitation from Moscow, Stevanović expressed pride in the numerous congratulatory messages he received from around the world – including one from Vyacheslav Volodin, president of the Russian State Duma.

Alenka Bratušek, from the Freedom Movement deputy and a former prime minister, who also was a guest in the show, retorted: “The National Assembly is not a travel agency where you can simply pick trips wherever you want to go.”

She emphasized that Slovenian foreign policy must be coordinated within the established “triangle” involving the government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the president, and the speaker of the National Assembly. Bratušek expressed hope that Stevanović would respect this protocol, warning that “going solo” could place Slovenia “on the wrong side” of international relations.

While agreeing that bridges should be built instead of walls, she added that one must be careful about “with whom” those bridges are built.

Stevanović replied that travel agencies are private businesses operating for profit, whereas the speaker’s role is to serve the state’s interests. He argued that voters support his vision of connecting Slovenia with the whole world.

Critical reactions from other former politicians

Stevanović’s statements have drawn criticism, particularly from pro-NATO and EU-oriented voices. Former Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel told N1 that a visit to Russia at this time “would be a shot in the knee for Slovenia” and could provoke strong resistance in the European Union.

Rupel acknowledged Stevanović’s good intentions but stressed the need for a critical stance toward Russia. He described the announcements about both the Moscow visit and the NATO referendum as premature, noting that the speaker has no direct authority over foreign policy.

Former Prime Minister and EU politician Lojze Peterle said there is “nothing fundamentally wrong” with the speaker wanting to visit Moscow, provided it aligns with state foreign policy – but “solo actions bring nothing.”

Former Slovenian ambassador to the USA Božo Cerar pointed out that foreign policy is shaped through parliamentary committees and the full National Assembly, with the speaker being “first among equals” rather than the one setting the direction.

This exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Slovenian politics following the recent parliamentary elections, where Stevanović’s small party holds a pivotal position despite limited seats. His push for greater foreign policy sovereignty, including the promised NATO referendum, continues to spark debate about Slovenia’s international alignments.