Presidential candidates support Croatia's Schengen entry

"If Croatia meets the conditions, I don't see why it should not become a member of the Schengen area. But before that, I expect the European Commission to get Austria to end passport checks on the border with Slovenia," says Brglez, an MEP running for the Social Democrats (SD) and Freedom Movement.

If elected president he will keep the Brdo-Brijuni process initiated by incumbent Borut Pahor to help Western Balkan countries join the EU running.

As president he says he will do all in his power to improve the situation of the Slovenian minority in neighbouring countries and to ensure that they are granted the rights they are entitled to national and international law.

Anže Logar, an MP for the opposition Democrats (SDS), notes that his term as Slovenia's former foreign minister saw a revival and an upgrade in relations with all of Slovenia's neighbours.

"It is particularly important to continue cooperation in the Northern Adriatic," he says, expressing his support for Croatia's becoming part of the Schengen area.

He believes Slovenia must continue to support the Western Balkan region and its EU perspective, but the support "must be innovative, taking into account our interests. The Brdo-Brijuni initiative can be part of this effort".

He says care for Slovenians abroad and minorities represents "great potential for Slovenia and for the promotion of Slovenia in the world, as well as for the president".

Janez Cigler Kralj, the candidate for the opposition party New Slovenia (NSi), advocates boosting cooperation on security, migration and energy policies with the neighbouring countries.

He supports Croatia's being admitted to Schengen, "but we must keep calling on it to engage in dialogue on how to implement the border arbitration award".

He believes tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina could lead to the destabilisation of the region, thus Slovenia must be more active in supporting the European perspective of these countries. He would also resume the Brdo-Brijuni process.

He says Slovenia must insist on the implementation of the rights of Slovenian minorities. "They must not be seen as a factor of instability, but as a bridge."

Miha Kordiš, the candidate for the coalition Left, supports Croatia's entry into Schengen and believes the two countries have much more in common than are the things that divide them.

"We need to work together to deal with common problems such as the environment emergency, overexploitation of the Adriatic and overcoming the development gap," he says, adding that the arbitration award should be implemented.

He says Slovenia has an opportunity to pursue a policy of integration and cooperation in the Western Balkans and to tackle common problems.

He notes that the Brothers of Italy, an openly fascist group, have come to power in Italy. "I would talk with them fairy, but at the same time I would send them a clear message that the Slovenian minority should be properly protected. And hands off Primorska," he says, referring to Slovenia's western region.

Nataša Pirc Musar, a lawyer and former information commissioner, says Croatia has made major progress in its bid to join the Schengen area, but she would consult the government or the foreign minister on whether to support its entry because she believes in coordination on key foreign policy decisions.

She would resume the Brdo-Brijuni process. "I consider Slovenia's Western Balkan strategy to be good, but I would like to focus more on the exodus of young people from the region, including in the context of securing Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU candidate status."

She would also like to strengthen the strong links with Slovenian communities abroad and best practice in this area.

Vladimir Prebilič, Kočevje mayor who runs for the non-parliamentary party Vesna, supports Croatia's entry into Schengen because it will make it easier to cross the border, revive trade and reduce the scope of illegal migration as Croatia would have to secure the external border.

"I will continue the multilateral process aimed at consolidating the European path of the Western Balkans, which needs open diplomatic channels and the EU's proactive stance on enlargement. Membership would reduce the potential for conflict," he says.

He finds care for Slovenian minorities abroad crucial considering the political situation in neighbouring countries. He would like to see the Slovenian minority in Italy and Hungary get respect, but given the change of power in Italy, he is concerned Slovenians there would once again be target of bullying.

Sabina Senčar, a gynaecologist who runs for Resni.ca, a non-parliamentary party that opposes Covid restrictions and vaccination, is in favour of Croatia's being included in Schengen, which she says will alleviate the burden on Slovenian police as Croatia would take the responsibility to protect the external border.

She believes the situation in the Western Balkans is much peaceful than globalist politics would like to portray. "People are fed up with divisions, wars and disputes," she says.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, with Kosovo, have many unresolved problems. We don't want to interfere in political relations of the countries, that would be adding fuel to the fire. Globalist leaders like to use this as a factor of 'instability'," she says, but adds that the Brdo-Brijuni initiative is one of the few moves by the incumbent president that is genuinely useful.

"Slovenians abroad still see Slovenia as a mother country. And that is exactly what I want to offer them. A mother, in the political sense," she says.