Slovenian MP from the ruling Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) Žan Mahnič has called on the government to stop providing intelligence and security reports to President Nataša Pirc Musar, citing suspicions that she could be connected to a Russian spy network. The president's office strongly rejected the allegations.
Mahnič said on X network that he had submitted an initiative to the government proposing measures to protect national security and classified information following media reports about Pirc Musar's private trips to Moscow and St Petersburg and alleged contacts between people in her circle and individuals from Russia.
“I have submitted a parliamentary initiative to the Slovenian government, calling for SOVA, the Defence Ministry's Intelligence and Security Service (OVS) and other relevant agencies to immediately stop providing intelligence and security reports to the President of the Republic and her office, citing suspicions that President Nataša Pirc Musar is cooperating with a Russian spy network,” he said on X on August 18.
Mahnič also referred to alleged links between Viktorija Krivolucka, described as a longtime friend of the president, and Roman Jeglič, a former deputy head of Slovenia's former intelligence service, VIS. He said the circumstances warranted a counterintelligence and security assessment, RTV SLO reported.
The president's office strongly denied the allegations, saying Pirc Musar has never met Jeglič and does not know him personally.
"We strongly deny the insinuations that the President of the Republic is cooperating with the Russian spy network," the office said, adding that Mahnič's claim that it had confirmed a meeting with Jeglič was "completely untrue".
Mahnič also called for a review of safeguards governing officials' access to classified information and possible amendments to the Classified Information Act.
The allegations come shortly after Pirc Musar was involved in a road accident on July 31 while returning from vacation in Croatia. She suffered minor injuries and was taken to Izola hospital for observation before being released to recover at home.
Pirc Musar later addressed media speculation over the accident on social media, confirming that she had not been wearing a seatbelt and would pay the resulting fine. She rejected suggestions that the incident could lead to impeachment proceedings as excessive and defended her friendship with a dual Slovenian-Russian citizen who was travelling with her in the car.