In the centre / Airtight open borders?
After a decade of pushing for an impenetrably closed southeastern border, the SDS and its coalition partners have lifted controls on this portion of the border.
This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Minister of Defence Matej Tonin and Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs visiting joint police and military patrols on the Slovenian southern border, 15 April 2020, Breg pri Sinjem Vrhu © Borut Krajnc
Last Thursday, the government lifted the temporary border controls with Croatia and Hungary that had been in place for years to control migration flows. On the night of Thursday to Friday, police at the border crossings lifted the checkpoints, reinstalled the notice boards that the border crossing was free, locked the premises and returned to work in the main police stations across the country. Yes, this was done by the coalition of right-wing parties led by Janez Janša, who had long demanded strict protection and an airtight closure of the border for all "illegal migrants", as they like to be called.
This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Minister of Defence Matej Tonin and Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs visiting joint police and military patrols on the Slovenian southern border, 15 April 2020, Breg pri Sinjem Vrhu © Borut Krajnc
Last Thursday, the government lifted the temporary border controls with Croatia and Hungary that had been in place for years to control migration flows. On the night of Thursday to Friday, police at the border crossings lifted the checkpoints, reinstalled the notice boards that the border crossing was free, locked the premises and returned to work in the main police stations across the country. Yes, this was done by the coalition of right-wing parties led by Janez Janša, who had long demanded strict protection and an airtight closure of the border for all "illegal migrants", as they like to be called.
Now, they say, what is more important is the free and unhindered flow of goods and domestic and foreign tourists. The police will continue to 'manage migration' within the country with so-called 'balancing measures'. Or as the new interior minister, Franci Matoz, put it: 'Control will be exercised in different, better forms of police work. The abolition of control will not make security any less, but on the contrary it will make it better.'
But let's take it one step at a time. Slovenia first implemented additional border controls in the autumn and winter of 2015, when the army was also temporarily deployed to the border for the first time the only time ever with police powers. But at that time, the army did not mainly perform border protection, but helped with humanitarian activities of supplying and transporting a large number of refugees who traveled from the Middle East to northern and western Europe.
The SDS then called urgent and extraordinary parliamentary sessions and press conferences, in which the government of Mira Cerar was accused of not controlling the situation. Under pressure, the government gave in and on 11 November began to install a razor wire at the border. The SDS called the measure overdue, while the then President of the National Assembly Matej Tonin declared the decision reasonable and the only logical one, but at the same time partial, since until now there have been no substantial measures to increase the number of soldiers or police at the border. A week later, Janša listed only two ways to solve the refugee crisis or comply with the rules at all the external Schengen borders by stopping the migrant wave or re-establish the internal borders between states. If the government continues to organize, Janša announced, the citizens will have to organize themselves to protect our countries.
As a consequence, years of accelerated development of razor wire beams and installation of razor wire panel fences along the green border followed. At a joint session on 5 December 2019, the committees for internal affairs and defence met. At the request of the SDS, they decided on their proposal that the government adopt a decision "on the exercise of the powers of the Slovenian Army in the wider protection of the external state border, as provided for by the law on defence".
The pressure to protect the border continued in the summer of 2022, when the government of Robert Goloba took power after the elections. On 21 December of that year, SDS MP Branko Grims asked the government in a parliamentary question: Who, when and on what basis did the decision to withdraw the troops of the Slovenian army from the border with Croatia be taken? The army then cooperated with the police in border control in a milder form, which can be ordered by the government itself without two third members of parliament, which the third Janševa also di…
Read the full article at Mladina →📄Source document: Austrian Ministry of the Interior Statement
8 reports
MladinaIndependentCenter2 days agoThe Slovenian government has lifted the long-standing temporary border control on the southern border with Croatia and Hungary, which was implemented to monitor migration flows. The move was made by the coalition of right-wing parties led by Janez Janša, who had previously advocated for strict border security and the closure of the border to 'illegal migrants.'
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual summary of the policy change without overtly favoring any side. It mentions the political alignment of the governing coalition but does not use loaded language or selectively present information to support a particular viewpoint.
MladinaIndependentCenter6 days ago Austria extends border control with SloveniaAustria has extended border controls with neighboring countries, including Slovenia, Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia, for an additional three months. The move was announced by Austria's interior ministry, which stated that the measures are part of efforts to strengthen external border protection under the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner explained that the new strategy involves more flexible and efficient border checks aimed at preventing illegal crossings and criminal activity while minimizing disruption for travelers.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Austria extending border controls without overtly favoring any political perspective. It includes direct quotes from officials and explains the rationale behind the policy changes without apparent bias or loaded language.
Official sources cited
- government Austrian Ministry of the Interior Statement
DomovinaIndependentRight8 days agoThe article discusses the impact of the abolition of border control between Slovenia and Croatia and Hungary. According to Interior Minister Franci Matoz, security will not decrease but increase, as the police will change their work methods by being present primarily at key locations.
Bias read (Right): The article presents the government's stance with confidence, emphasizing increased security without providing counterarguments or alternative perspectives. The framing suggests support for the government's decision, using positive language such as 'security will be greater' and attributing it to a
Official sources cited
- government Minister for Internal Affairs Franci Matoz
Nova24TVParty-alignedCenter9 days agoThe new government has abolished the temporary border control at internal borders with Croatia and Hungary, which was introduced by the previous government in October 2023. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Public Administration and the acting head of the police have announced this change. According to the ministry, the police will shift focus to more exposed transit routes for illegal migrants. The decision comes amid a significant increase in unauthorized migration along the Balkan route, with over 8,767 cases recorded between the start of this year and the end of April, compared to about
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's decision to abolish temporary border controls and reassign police resources to more critical areas without overtly favoring any political side. It includes statements from officials and provides data on migration trends, offering a balanced view of the policy.
Official sources cited
- government Minister for Internal Affairs and Public Administration
Radio OgnjiščeIndependentCenter9 days agoThe article discusses the implementation of the EU migration and asylum pact, noting that while it aims to strengthen external borders, Slovenia and some other countries have yet to adopt the necessary legislation. The new government has lifted the temporary border control at the borders with Croatia and Hungary.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It mentions both the EU's stance on the migration pact and Slovenia's current legislative status without taking a clear ideological position.
Official sources cited
- government European Union Migration Pact
Maribor24IndependentCenter9 days agoSlovenia has removed border checks with Croatia and Hungary, with the government expecting improved security and greater police efficiency.
Bias read (Center): The article discusses a policy change regarding border control but does not present any biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. It remains neutral in tone and focuses on the stated expectations of the government without taking a stance.
Slovenske noviceIndependentCenter10 days agoThe Slovenian government has decided to lift border controls with Croatia and Hungary this year, which is expected to result in shorter queues at the borders.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a policy decision by the government regarding border control changes. The content is factual and does not exhibit any clear ideological framing or bias. It simply states the change in policy without taking a stance or emphasizing particular viewpoints.
Maribor24IndependentCenter11 days ago A decision on the lifting of border controls with Croatia and Hungary could be taken on ThursdayThe Slovenian government plans to review the temporary reintroduction of border checks with Hungary and Croatia by Thursday. The move aims to improve traffic flow on already congested roads. Slovenia has been implementing these checks since October 2023, with an extension until December 21. The European Commission recently urged nine Schengen countries, including Slovenia, to gradually lift internal border controls. The new EU migration and asylum pact, which will fully take effect this Friday, is expected to support the gradual removal of such controls.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or emphasis. It reports on planned governmental actions, provides context about the duration of current measures, and references the European Commission’s request and the upcoming EU migration pact. There is no clear framing or
Official sources cited
- government Ministry of Internal Affairs and Public Administration
- government European Commission
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