Cultural Identity Politics in the (Post-)Transitional Societies

Cultural Identity Politics in the (Post-)Transitional Societies
Thirdly, the courses in the languages of the former Yugoslavia provided by certain
elementary schools have been introduced haphazardly and only under pressure from
cultural associations. As a result, and because of the social circumstances and status of
these languages (which turns them into non-resources), only a small number of children
are enrolled in these programmes.
Outcome of the two decades of post-Yugoslav configurations
It has turned out that the issue of new minorities that emerged as a result of economic
migration across the former common state and its subsequent dissolution, has been a
challenge too great for any government of sovereign Slovenia so far to tackle. The present
extent and method of minority protection (of the Italian and Hungarian national
minorities) in Slovenia rests on the basis established by the former common state,
and it obviously enjoys a broad political and social consensus. However, any change in
this field carries with it a major political risk and causes bitter public dispute. It was
proven in 2010 when the attempt by the government to include in the law programme
obligations for the production of programme items aimed at communities of nations of
the former Yugoslavia in Slovenia by public service broadcasting RTV Slovenia failed.
The already adopted law with such provisions was rejected by referendum, requested by
the opposition. Therefore the adoption of the declaration by the National Assembly in
February 2011, establishing a formal framework for dialogue and negotiations on the
protection of minority communities of nations of the former Yugoslavia in Slovenia,
with the support of the majority of political parties represented in the parliament,
demonstrates a major shift after 20 years of ignorance. What the outcome will be of the
establishment of the formal body to handle the dialogue is to be seen in the future.
This has been a two-decade long journey for the members of the Albanian (from Kosovo),
Bosniak, Croatian, Macedonian, Montenegrin and Serbian communities in Slovenia
towards recognition of minority status and protection of their languages and cultural
identity after disolution of the former Yugoslavia. It has been characterized by a specific form
of political emancipation through the self-organization of a joint body for negotiations with
the authorities. Keeping the name of the former Yugoslavia in the name of the joint body
and using it in public awareness and political negotiations has contributed to a specific post-
Yugoslav configuration of the political alliances and cultural identities in Slovenia.
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