Slovenia's former president takes on unlikely new role

Slovenia's former president, Borut Pahor, is taking on an unlikely new role: judge on the television talent competition Slovenia's Got Talent.

POP TV confirmed the appointment after viewers initially wondered whether the announcement was an elaborate, and belated, April Fool's prank, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Pahor, who completed his second presidential term in 2022, said he accepted the invitation "without hesitation," adding that he had even cancelled several international engagements to make room for the filming schedule.

"Towards the end of my political career, where I had to be disciplined and bound by rules and customs, this will allow a bit more of what I see as the joy of life - la joie de vivre," he said according to a press release circulated by POP TV, describing the programme as a "fantastic" and entertaining platform for discovering new talents.

The move continues an eclectic post-presidential chapter for the 62-year-old, the only politician ever to have held all three of the country's top offices: speaker of the National Assembly from 2000 to 2004, prime minister from 2008 to 2012, and president for two consecutive terms from 2012 to 2022.

Since leaving office, Pahor has remained active on the international stage, founding and heading the Friends of the Western Balkans institute, and doing the rounds on the international speakers' circuit.

But at home, he has fully embraced influencing and monetization of a social media presence that the former fashion model had been carefully cultivating even when still in office.

One of the most widely discussed examples came last year when Pahor appeared in a marketing campaign for a budget bedding and home-textile brand, posting photos of himself modelling pyjamas and posing playfully in bed, in some shots alongside a woman.

The campaign drew both amusement and criticism, with some questioning whether such endorsements are becoming of a former head of state.

But the career shift was not unexpected: as soon as he left office, Pahor strongly criticised the existing Slovenian system where former heads of state get a salary for only a limited time and are then left to venture on their own unless they retire, for which he was and still is too young.

Defending his social media ventures, he has said that he enjoys the freedom of public life outside the constraints of politics. But in earlier interviews he also indicated that, if a future employer demanded it, he would even consider stepping back from social media altogether.

For now, television audiences will see him embracing yet another visible role. Asked how he plans to judge singers, dancers and variety acts on the show, Pahor said his approach would be simple.

"I will rely entirely on my instinct," he said.

Encouraging viewers to apply for the new season, he added with characteristic confidence:

"They should sign up because I will be there, and I will help them present themselves in the best possible light."

Photo courtesy of POP TV