Strasbourg - The European Parliament will take a vote on a resolution on fundamental rights and rule of law in Slovenia at the plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday. If they support it, MEPs will express deep concern over deep polarisation in the country and call on prominent public figures and politicians to ensure a respectful and civilised public debate.

The draft resolution has been submitted by four political groups in the European Parliament, the socialists (S&D), liberals (Renew), Greens and the Left. The largest group, the European People's Party (EPP), which is also the political family of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, did not sign on.

MEPs have discussed the state of democracy in Slovenia on several occasions this year, both at the plenary as well as on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).

At the March plenary they discussed media freedom in Slovenia and in June Slovenia was in focus of the debate on the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) due to delays in the appointment of delegated prosecutors from the country. The plenary in November discussed fundamental rights and rule of law in Slovenia.

The country has also been scrutinised by the LIBE Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group. The group's delegation visited Slovenia on a fact-finding mission in October, but neither PM Janša nor any of the ministers would meet them for an exchange of views.

Janša faced MEPs in person in July as he set out the priorities of the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU when he heard some stark messages about the rule of law from the parliamentary benches.

He is not expected in Strasbourg again either this month or the next to present the Slovenian presidency's achievements, which had in the past been a tradition at the end of a six-month rotating presidency. The practice was later abandoned, partly due to the Covid pandemic, but unofficial sources say Janša could take stock of the presidency in Strasbourg if he wished to do so.

Instead of him, indications are that Foreign Minister Anže Logar is to present the presidency's achievements in January.

The draft resolution on Slovenia, released late last Friday, is set out in 18 points, one of which expresses "deep concern about the level of public debate, climate of hostility, distrust and deep polarisation in Slovenia, which has eroded trust in public bodies and between them".

In the resolution the parliament is to underline that prominent public figures and politicians, including members of the government, have to lead by example and need to ensure a respectful and civilised public debate, free from intimidation, attacks, slurs and harassment.

The draft resolution also expresses concern over amendments proposed by the Justice Ministry to the state prosecution act that would allow retroactive changes to the appointment criteria for prosecutors, and lead to the risk of the two newly appointed EPPO delegated prosecutors from Slovenia being dismissed.

If passed, the resolution will also call on the Slovenian government to resume regular state funding of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and to guarantee the agency's editorial independence.

The draft resolution in addition calls on the government to secure sufficient funding for the public broadcaster RTV Slovenia, to cease all political interference and pressure on its editorial policy and to safeguard the broadcaster's independence.

The EPP, which did not sign on to the document, has not drawn up an alternative resolution either, which is a frequent practice in such cases.

The EPP aspired to have the resolution withdrawn from the agenda as two key reasons for it, the delays in the appointment of delegated prosecutors and the financing of the STA, have been resolved.

The result of the vote on the resolution is expected on Thursday at around 4pm. The groups that tabled the resolution expect it to be passed, also with the support of some MEPs from the EPP, which is to adopt the guidance on the vote on Wednesday.

The highlight of the hybrid plenary session starting on Monday will be Tuesday's discussion with the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on the Russian troop build-up at the Ukrainian border. MEPs will pass a resolution on the issue on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the plenary will be attended by Foreign Minister Logar, who represents the EU Council in relations with the European Parliament, for discussion on the upcoming EU summit and the fight against the pandemic.