Former Mayor of Moravče Balažic Seeks Re-election Despite Detention and Corruption Charges
Milan Balažic, suspected of corruption and former mayor of Moravče, will run for the mayoral position in November's local elections. He has already presented his candidate list on Facebook.
Balažic Announces Third Mayoral Candidacy After Corruption Scandal and Detention
Milan Balažic, former mayor of Moravče, who was detained in June this year and has prematurely left his mayoral position amid corruption proceedings, is returning to local politics. As reported by Žurnal24, at the end of last week he announced his candidacy for November's local elections on Facebook and presented his candidate list to the public.
"With pride and joy I present to you the team of Moravče's citizens, with whom we embark on the list of Dr Milan Balažic in pursuit of victory, with which we will build an even better Moravče," wrote Balažic when publishing the list.
Third Candidacy After Two Terms
Balažic will run for mayor of Moravče for the third time. He first took the helm of the municipality in 2018, and voters entrusted him with a new term in 2022. He did not complete his second term—in mid-June this year he resigned following the eruption of a corruption scandal. Deputy Mayor Janez Vidic took over the management of the municipality until the elections.
Extensive House Searches and Detention
At the end of May, criminal investigators conducted an extensive investigative operation: over one hundred investigators participated, conducting 42 house searches. The searches took place, among other locations, at the then-mayor Balažic's residence, deputy mayor Marko Kladnik's residence, and at the headquarters of Moravče Municipality. Investigators gathered evidence of suspicions of more than 20 corruption offences, including bribery and solicitation of benefits for unlawful mediation.
According to police findings, the suspects allegedly received various benefits in exchange for concluding contracts and adopting municipal acts—construction work, equipment for residential houses, and allegedly fictitious employment. The total value of documented material benefits exceeded 50,000 euros according to police figures at the time.
Allegations Related to Termit Company
One of the most prominent parts of the scandal involves allegations relating to the company Termit. From a court order it emerges that Balažic allegedly exploited his mayoral position and influenced municipal councillors to support a change to the spatial plan in the Mošenik area—thereby enabling the company to continue operating its sand pit.
In return, he allegedly received payment for a kitchen worth approximately 26,000 euros from Termit director Anton Serianza. The court order also states that he allegedly demanded and received at least 5,770 euros, with the money allegedly received by his partner Nina Krajnik. During the house search, investigators seized the kitchen.
Balažic denied these allegations and explained that he had borrowed money for the kitchen from a friend and was already repaying the loan.
From Detention to Candidacy
Following the May searches, Balažic was detained, but the investigating judge released him on 31 May after questioning. The prosecution appealed and succeeded—Ljubljana District Court ordered 30 days' detention in early June. Solicitor Milan Krstić announced an appeal against this decision.
On 12 June Balažic resigned from his position as mayor. The municipality then announced that deputy mayor Vidic would perform the function until the new mayor took office.
Balažic: "A Staged Mess"
The former mayor firmly denied the charges throughout. At a press conference in early June he described the criminal charge as "one big staged mess with a clear goal set by local politics with the help of part of the deep state." He attributed responsibility for what happened to political opponents, including former mayor Martin Rabolj and former deputy mayor Roman Cerar, and insisted that he would prove his innocence in court.
Furthermore, he described the conditions of his detention: according to him, he spent two days in solitary confinement, experienced a panic attack at night, and needed medical assistance.
Source: Žurnal24