Some 55% wouldn't want to have Roma neighbours, poll shows

The newspaper decided to focus its latest Vox Populi survey on Roma-related questions due to incidents involving Roma in the southeast of the country in recent months and calls for measures to increase security and improve Roma integration.

Asked whether Roma-related issues are well regulated in general, some 51% believe they are not, 38% disagree and 12% said they did not know.

Of those who are unhappy with the situation, most believe that the core reason for the problems is that Roma are not motivated to work due to high social transfers they receive (76%) or because they do not want to integrate into society due to their culture and customs (64%). The respondents were given the option of multiple answers.

Region-wise, the results in general varied, with respondents from the southeast being the most critical about the situation (62%). On the other hand, respondents from the northeastern region of Prekmurje, known for good practices in the co-existence between the majority and Roma communities, were most happy with the situation, with nearly 55% saying the issues are well regulated.

A vast majority believe stricter legislation would help reduce offences involving Roma individuals. In the southeast the share is as high as 82%.

Under the relevant law, Slovenia is obliged to take action to improve the living conditions of Roma people and tackle issues in Roma settlements. Asked whether the authorities have been fulfilling these obligations, some 49% think they have not, 30% replied in the affirmative and 20% said they did not know.

What sparked controversy recently was a statement by Ribnica Mayor Samo Pogorelc, who said that the Roma's access to drinking water was contingent on their meeting regulations, such as obtaining building permits.

The right to drinking water is enshrined in the constitution, but when asked about this, only 31% believe Roma people have the right to drinking water unconditionally. Among those from the southeast the share drops to 23%.

Members of the Roma community are also the most frowned-upon group of possible neighbours, shows the survey. Almost 55% of respondents said they would not like to have them as their neighbours.

The Roma were chosen as the least desirable neighbours by respondents across all age groups and education levels. The negative sentiment towards them was stronger in rural areas compared to urban places, and the strongest among voters of the non-parliamentary People's Party (SLS) and the opposition Democrats (SDS).

It was the weakest among voters of the Left, but even they listed them as No. 1 among possible unwanted neighbours.

Again the situation seems to be slightly better in the northeast, where 36% would not want Roma to be their neighbours, which compares to 72% in the southeast, the highest share region-wise.

Migrants are second most unwanted group of potential neighbours (40% of all respondents), followed by Muslims (22%), LGBTQ people (15%), Jews (12%) and people of colour (9%). 28% said they would not have any problems with members of any of these groups as their neighbours.

Asked about the dominant attitude towards Roma people in Slovenia, 31% think it is tolerant and 19% think the opposite. But at 44%, most believe it is neither tolerant nor intolerant. Respondents from Prekmurje (50%) and southeastern Slovenia (49%) were the most likely to rate their attitudes as tolerant, suggesting that they consider themselves tolerant.

The survey was carried out by Ninamedia between 9 and 11 September among 700 adults.