Slovenia: President's car accident and former MP's cannabis seizure spark investigation

The Specialized State Prosecutor's Office has confirmed a suspicion of causing a traffic accident through negligence regarding a July collision involving Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar. The investigation into the accident in the Kastelec tunnel revealed that the driver of the van carrying the President failed to maintain a safe distance, striking the rear of a vehicle from the President's security detail. A police report also indicated deviations from personal protection protocols, noting that the lead vehicle contained only one officer instead of the required two.

Separately, police conducted a house search at the home of former SDS MP Alenka Helbl, where they seized a single cannabis plant. Helbl stated the plant was grown by her husband, a lung patient, in hopes of medicinal assistance. The incident has sparked political debate, with Prime Minister Janez Janša suggesting potential double standards in how drug-related investigations are handled, while the Levica party accused the SDS of hypocrisy for previously opposing medical cannabis legalization.