LJUBLJANA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar on Monday urged the government and communities to work together to restore public trust and enhance security in the southeast region following a recent fatal assault that stirred national concern.
Addressing an emergency session of the National Assembly, Musar said the killing of a 48-year-old man in Novo Mesto in October, allegedly by a member of the Roma community, highlighted deep-rooted social and security problems that require long-term solutions.
"The pain and anger must be transformed into actions that bring lasting change," she said, adding that both the state and local communities had failed to act effectively for decades.
The president stressed that violence should not be linked to nationality or ethnicity and warned against hate speech and intolerance. "There should be no room for exclusion in our country," she said.
Her remarks came as the government faces mounting pressure to tackle repeated violent incidents in southeastern Slovenia, where tensions between residents and members of the Roma minority have persisted for years. The Roma community, with an estimated population of around 10,000 in Slovenia, reports higher unemployment and lower educational attainment compared with the national average.
Following the fatal assault, Interior Minister Bostjan Poklukar and Justice Minister Andreja Katic resigned, amid political fallout ahead of March's general election. Last week, thousands of residents protested in central Ljubljana against the worsening security situation.
The Slovenian government decided on Oct. 28 to mobilize auxiliary police until the end of this year. It also announced a new legislative package aimed at enforcing police powers, tightening penalties for repeat offenders, and linking welfare benefits to law compliance.
President Musar cautioned against rushed measures, saying that "excessive repression only gives a false sense of security while limiting freedoms." She emphasized the importance of prevention, education, and employment support for marginalized groups, calling on Roma leaders to take greater responsibility for addressing problems within their communities. ■