Slovenian lawmakers have voted to strip former Prime Minister Robert Golob of his parliamentary immunity, clearing the way for a criminal investigation into allegations of giving gifts for unlawful mediation. The vote, held on Wednesday, saw 75 members of parliament, including Golob himself, vote in favor of lifting his immunity, with no votes against. This decision allows the Specialized State Prosecutor's Office to proceed with a criminal case initiated after a complaint by former interior minister Tatjana Bobnar.
The allegations against Golob stem from his time as prime minister, with prosecutors suspecting him of interfering with police operations. Specifically, the case revolves around accusations of "giving gifts for illegal mediation" related to alleged undue influence on police work. Golob maintains his innocence, stating he believes his actions were not in violation of the expectations and responsibilities of a prime minister and that he will prove this in court.
The parliamentary vote followed a recommendation from the Mandate and Election Commission. Golob had previously informed the parliament that he would not invoke his immunity and would vote to allow the proceedings to continue, expressing a desire for the case to be resolved quickly. The prosecutor's office had filed a request for a judicial investigation with the Ljubljana District Court last October, but the court had not yet ruled on it. The court subsequently requested the parliament's permission to proceed after Golob was elected as a Member of Parliament and gained immunity.
Adding to the pressure, the anti-corruption commission had previously concluded that Golob violated integrity standards with two text messages sent to Bobnar. Parliament Speaker Zoran Stevanović publicly called for Golob's resignation, citing integrity concerns. Despite these developments, Golob's political party, the Freedom Movement, continues to defend him, with Stevanović criticizing their support for a member accused of a corrupt criminal offense.
