Slovenia rail project faces scrutiny over €714,000 pre-election trip costs

A controversy has emerged in Slovenia regarding the costs associated with a train ride taken by Prime Minister Robert Golob and former Minister Alenka Bratušek on an unfinished second railway track. Reports indicate that an executing consortium has requested over €714,000 (including VAT) to cover preparations for the trip, which took place shortly before parliamentary elections.

The expenses reportedly include costs for ensuring transportability on the incomplete track and managing work stoppages during measurements. Political figures have reacted sharply to the disclosure; former Prime Minister Janez Janša and MP Aleš Hojs criticized the expenditure, suggesting the involvement of specific contractors and hinting at further investigations by police and prosecutors.

Minister of Economy, Labour and Sport Anže Logar also commented on the matter, questioning what other costs might be uncovered following upcoming audits. He noted that the amount spent on the pre-election ride could have alternatively funded 40 years of minimum-wage employment or nearly 50,000 standard train tickets between Ljubljana and Koper.