Slovenian (Eternal) Mayors as Potential Generators of Political Corruption at the Local Level

Abstract

Mayors, as the highest representatives of local government, play a crucial role in the occurrence of corruption at the local level due to their position and influence. Owing to their function and power, they are often generators of corrupt practices, especially in cases of repeated mayoral terms. Since they are elected officials, this phenomenon represents a distinct form of corruption known as political corruption, which, although in most cases not directly a criminal offense, is often morally and ethically questionable. Political corruption is dangerous even when it is not yet formally illegal or manifested through criminal acts, as the boundary between technically permissible but immoral practices and actual criminal behavior is very thin. Moreover, political corruption often serves as a springboard for the development of other, more overt forms of corruption. Local politicians frequently redirect significant financial resources toward investments that are neither priorities nor necessary, with the aim of securing electoral support. This is evident in the construction of sports facilities such as stadiums and multipurpose halls, as well as in financing new or renovating existing infrastructure projects in densely populated areas, while sparsely populated areas are often neglected due to a smaller voter base. Such practices increase the risk of corruption and inefficient use of public funds. Corruption scandals involving mayors have been documented worldwide—from South America, through the United States and Asia, to Europe—with Slovenia being no exception. An analysis of the functioning of an average Slovenian municipality governed by a long-serving mayor has shown that, although it is not possible to definitively state that political corruption is present, there are clear signs and indications pointing to an increased risk of corruption. In such cases, circumstances are often ambiguous, not entirely transparent, and suggest the expansion of an influential network intertwined around the mayor within the local community.