Zoran Stefanović, leader of Slovenia's far-right party "Resnica" (Truth), now wants referendums on leaving NATO, the WHO, and the EU. But in the same breath he admits voters would probably vote to stay. Classic populist move — throw the grenade into the public square, then add that the fuse is fake.

The new Slovenian parliamentary speaker delivers a narrative known from Budapest to Belgrade: migrants need to be sent back from Brussels to Ljubljana. Sounds compelling at rallies, but in practice means rejecting the market access, security umbrella, and funds that keep Slovenia among the most developed countries in the region.

Particularly spicy is his planned official visit schedule — Skopje, Copenhagen, Moscow. "I want to build bridges, to cooperate with all countries regardless of the side in the West-East divide," said Stefanović. Nice Instagram caption, but in reality, "bridge-building" with Moscow in 2026 says something all by itself.

Reports of Russian symbols at his appearances don't particularly faze him. Maybe that's by design. But when you need to publicly deny ties with Russia, that itself says enough. Slovenia, a country that had until now been synonymous with quiet European success, now has a politician who wants to test the strength of the pillars on which that stability was built.

The question isn't whether Stefanović will succeed in pulling Slovenia out of NATO — he won't. The question is how much damage can be done while the parliamentary podium in Ljubljana broadcasts messages that Moscow listens to with satisfaction.