SOME POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND THE RESPONSE TO IT

Abstract

The Covid-19 virus has created a crisis with health, economic, social, cultural and value-related, psychological, ideological and political dimensions. This paper is an analysis of the political and ideological implications of the crisis and the response to it in Slovenia. An important aspect of the legitimacy of the Government‘s response to the crisis is reflected in the perceived level of its performance and the trust the public has in it – the solid ground that the Government had at the beginning of the crisis has been eroded over time. Government decisions have not always been transparent and scientifically sound, as evidenced by the selective consideration of the experts‘ opinion, illogical and inconsistent measures, and „overnight“ changes to measures. The crisis and the response to it have increased the ideological, political and social divisions in society, which are probably also reflected in the rejection of the vaccine by part of the population. The political and ideological dimensions of the Government‘s fight with the pandemic can be seen in some of the personnel changes, the prevailing disregard for opposition proposals to improve the laws, the pressure on the public media, and the sharp conflict with a section of civil society that has also exploited the crisis for ideological and political purposes. The way in which the Government has made decisions has undermined the principle of the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judiciary branches.