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| - Thousands of Slovenians protested Friday in the capital Ljubljana, accusing the government of corruption and of using the coronavirus crisis to restrict freedoms. "Thieves", "Down with the government", protestors, many wearing protective masks, shouted outside parliament which was fenced off by a strong police presence. The protest was organised by "Protestival," a civil group backed by some opposition parties, including former prime minister Marjan Sarec who resigned in February due to frictions within his five-party coalition, paving the way for nationalist Janez Jansa to take over. "While our society responds to the epidemic with solidarity, the Janez Jansa government, under the alleged fight against the virus, is introducing extraordinary measures and reducing our freedoms," Protestival said. Around 10,000 people attended the protest in Ljubljana, according to private POP TV. Sarec had backed the protest, saying "we have a common goal which is to prevent this corrupt government from staying in power." An EU member state, Slovenia, with a population of two million, has reported 1,450 coronavirus cases and 100 deaths to date although the worst of the outbreak now seems to be over. Shortly after taking over the government, Jansa's four-party coalition imposed strict virus measures, including a month-long lockdown, closing the borders and banning travel. International organisations, such as the OSCE, have expressed concern that the government could be using the extraordinary situation to put pressure on critical media which have reported alleged corruption and wrongdoing during the acquisition of protective gear and medical equipment. Economy Minister Zdravko Pocivalsek, who is at the centre of the allegations, has rejected them, insisting that he acted in the best interests of the state to make up for an initial lack of protective equipment. bk/bmm
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