Address by the Prime Minister Robert Golob at the extraordinary session of the Municipal Council of the City Municipality of Novo mesto

Thank you for allowing me to be here with you today – to share not only my feelings and plans, but also to listen to you and to hear your anger. Since this is not my first time in Novo mesto, I sense not only anger, but even more so fear – the fear felt by those invisible, voiceless people across the Dolenjska and Posavje regions, a fear that may remain unspoken today. And above all, I am here because I feel pain. We must not forget why we are here today.

Therefore, I first wish to express my condolences to the family and relatives of the late Aleš Šutar. First and foremost, let us show compassion for his son, who had to witness the murder of his father. His son witnessed the murder of his father.

I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his daughter, whose grief we saw on television screens across Slovenia. We all wept as we watched those scenes. We all feel the pain.

At the same time, I offer my condolences to his courageous wife, Tina, who opened my eyes to the world of Aleš Šutar: a man who was the heart of his local community, respected, valued and dedicated, who devoted most of his life to serving that community. A man who never put anger or revenge first, but always sought coexistence and understanding. That is how he lived and, most likely, why he had to die.

And it is precisely this – the stories I have heard in recent days – and believe me, I can easily empathise; I would have acted as he did if my own son had called me. In the same way. Each of us could be Aco, because any one of us can fall victim to random, furious violence. Let us remember these stories – not as a call for revenge, but as a call for us all to stand together and act decisively, now, before it is too late. To act not because we were unwilling before, the time has come to say: this must stop.

The violence has gone too far – in Novo mesto, in Dolenjska, and across Slovenia – and it must end. Our criminal legislation is not up to the task. I will not pretend otherwise – it is not up to the task. The state apparatus is not equipped to deal effectively with violence. We must put an end to this. Enough is enough. That is why we have prepared measures, not empty promises.

Some measures are already being implemented. Anyone who wished to see it could see that all available police units were already in action yesterday – regular units, special units, specialised units.  They will remain here for as long as necessary. For as long as necessary. I have also heard that some residents in the settlements are already rejoicing, saying the police will soon leave. They will not leave. They will remain until security is restored. Because safety is a basic right. And yes, we will not make distinctions. The state apparatus has failed; it is not ensuring security. I will not look for excuses in previous governments – what they did over the past ten years and what they did not.

My duty is to act, not to defend myself. I know the mayor will act with us, and all of you together. And Mr Mesojedec as well, who has put forward some excellent proposals. When you hear the measures the Government will adopt, you will see that many of them are literally his – because there is no other choice. 

I should also say that today the reserve police force has been called up. The Government has decided to increase the number of available units to the maximum possible. Because this is about tackling crime. It is not about confronting the Roma. And if we do not eradicate crime from Roma settlements, we will never be able to speak of the successful integration of this ethnic community; it simply will not be possible.

The specific measures will be set out in legislation – in the Šutar Act. The Act will bear the name of Aleš Šutar so that we will never forget the turning point that compelled the entire country to change its approach to violence. So that human rights, when invoked to the detriment of others, cannot be treated as the sole saving rule or value.

There will be three areas. The first area will focus on security – specifically, significantly greater powers for the police. Not only powers of entry, but above all the authority to conduct raids and powers to monitor areas that are endangered or present security risks. We do not wish to pursue individuals; we wish to restore law and order in security-risk areas, to establish peace and order there, and to eradicate from those areas weapons, drugs and property of unexplained origin.

The second area concerns criminal policy. Our priority will be repeat offences and criminal acts. I emphasise: offences and criminal acts. There will be a radical tightening of conditions for repeat offenders. Sentencing will no longer be left to chance, nor to whether a judge is, by chance, intimidated by a representative of any community. The principle of the most lenient penalty will no longer apply. There can be no leniency for repeat offenders, and this must be a matter for legislation. In addition to punitive policy, we will propose higher penalties for criminal offences involving elements of violence, especially group violence. This will not apply only to the Dolenjska region. It will apply to the whole of Slovenia, to all citizens and to foreign nationals in Slovenia. We must be realistic.

In addition, there is social policy, long discussed. Enforcement measures against social assistance payments will be made possible. Social assistance or benefits will be restricted for those who repeatedly commit offences and criminal acts. We will abolish child allowance for all minors. We cannot financially encourage girls to have children before the age of eighteen. Responsibility for them lies with their parents. Let the parents therefore assume financial responsibility, rather than our encouraging a financial model that literally draws girls – children – out of normal life and into servitude in Roma settlements.

The seizure of assets of unknown origin will be significantly faster and simpler. The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, together with the police, will carry out very thorough checks in this field.

Many will consider these measures excessive. Believe me, perhaps not in this room or outside it, but certainly some will – because they will apply to the whole of Slovenia and will not be limited to a single ethnic group. I am convinced they are necessary. If we do not act now, we may not have another opportunity for years. I accept this responsibility and this task. Not only for myself, but on behalf of the state apparatus, including those institutions that are independent. Because I expect – and we require – them to say today what they need to address this problem effectively. They will have that opportunity over the next fourteen days. Those who do not submit proposals will accept responsibility for implementing what follows.

We will not wait; we will bring these matters before the National Assembly by 10 November. I expect the Šutar Act to be approved by the Government next Thursday, submitted to Parliament in November and, most likely, adopted by the end of November. That is the timeline. During this period, the police, inspection services and the tax authority will intensify their activities on the ground.

We are hiding nothing; we are not shirking responsibility; we want to ensure security. Because I do not want the death of Aleš Šutar to have been in vain. That is what I promised his wife. And I want all of us to keep that promise. Let this be a turning point for Novo mesto, for the Dolenjska region, Posavje region and Kočevje – for all of Slovenia.

Enough of crime. Enough of violence. Thank you.