Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob focused on the energy crisis in his first address to the European Parliament on 13 December. He urged the bloc's unity and more decisive action to curb energy prices. He also argued for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be given the opportunity to live a European future.

"It is clear to everyone that dependence on a single energy source led to Russian gas being used as a weapon," said Golob, who had spent his career as an energy executive before becoming prime minister.

While the bloc has managed to secure sufficient energy with a combination of reduced demand, opening pipelines and new sources, this was "not enough to reign in energy prices."

This week will decide whether the EU tackles the high energy prices the right way, he said, adding that the bloc needed to take regulatory measures since the market is currently not working.

Golob reiterated that he was not pleased with the measures proposed by the European Commission so far, in particular with regard to the gas price cap.

Europe must also show stronger determination to tackle market speculators. "We will not let them destroy our competitiveness for their own gain," he said.

The only path to energy independence is a green transition. "If we combine the wind potential of the north with the solar potential of the south, and add hydro to the mix, we will succeed," he said.

Another topic that he broached was the Western Balkans. He said the EU had to give the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina the opportunity to live a European future and show it has not forgotten about them.

"As citizens of the EU we must convince the people in the Western Balkans that their place is in Europe ... and they will effect change of political structures," he said.

He noted the region was subject to strong pressure, whereby the Union needed to realise that it can use the political tool of enlargement to improve stability and unity.

He believes the EU needs to learn to trust the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But this is also a clear sign to political structures in the country with a full term to use it and carry out as many reforms as possible and prove it to their voters that they share their vision of the country's future in the EU, he said.

His address coincided with the EU Council's decision to grant Bosnia EU candidate status, an idea championed by Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Golob. The final decision is to be made as EU leaders meet on 15 December and Golob is confident the EU summit will confirm the decision.

Golob also mentioned the rule of law in his address. He said the reason he entered politics was because the previous government was destroying the rule of law with hate speech, weakening of the justice system and attacks on the media.

He called on MEPs to find a balance between the freedom of speech and hate speech.

Golob's speech attracted both praise and criticism, which went mostly along partisan lines, in particular among Slovenian MEPs.

Those affiliated with Golob's ruling coalition argued he addressed key EU challenges and offered solutions, as others said he made poor use of the opportunity.

"I have never listened to a prime minister in the European Parliament who boasted so much on a personal level," MEP Romana Tomc (SDS/EPP) said.

She accused Golob of being an autocrat and urged him to refrain from demolishing democracy in Slovenia. She said the government was trying to take full control of all key institutions and silence critical media.

Ljudmila Novak (NSi/EPP) said she was very concerned about the state of the rule of law in Slovenia following the resignation of Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar.

Similarly, the Portuguese EPP member Paulo Rangel voiced concern about the media in the country.

Stephane Sejourne, the head of Renew, of which Golob's party is a part, meanwhile said the new government was thrillingly pro-European and a role model to be followed regarding European integration

And Philippe Lamberts, a Green MEP, said Europe had had its share of rule of law violations and it is important that Slovenia is not another member state engaging in such activities.