In an interview for TV Slovenija, Pahor has emphasized that distrust, fear and - consequently - signs of intolerance emerge if unsolved problems lie underneath. The government failed to start addressing these problems early enough, even though it is currently dealing with them quite successfully, which is why the people are not convinced, says Pahor.

The president also repeated his that intolerance can and must be addressed by condemning it, but that is far from enough. Otherwise, the impression is that problems exist yet that there is no other means other than critical response to those who react to these problems in an intolerant manner.

Since the government and the national assembly seem to have ignored the president’s proposal expressed in a special address to the parliament last year, Slovenia still does not have a national plan for migrant crisis management, argues Pahor. "The absence of a plan, both in Slovenia and Europe, which could convince the people that politics has these problems under control, is what gives rise to distrust, fear and – consequently – intolerance."

Pahor thus urges both political institutions to determine the number of migrants for whom Slovenia can still ensure treatment in humane conditions. He has also advised the authorities to have a very patient discussion with municipalities and their inhabitants about the locations of reception and accommodation centres. "Our duty is, also because of humaneness, to help as much as we can. And our duty is to measure this ability," concluded the president of Slovenia.

Al. Ma., Dejan Ladika; translated by K. Z.