Resistance to the fence on the Slovenian side of the border.
Support of the Slovenian public for the government's decision to build a fence for migrants on the border with Croatia has decreased by half in less than two months, and now most Slovenians believe that it should be removed, showed a poll published on Monday by Delo daily from Ljubljana, reports Novilist on January 18, 2016.
A poll conducted in the second half of November last year, shortly after the Slovenian army began erecting the dangerous razor-wire fence, showed that the measure was supported at that time by 79 percent of Slovenians, while 21 percent were against. The latest poll conducted last week shows that 52 percent of citizens are against the wire fence, while just 40 percent believe the fence should remain on the border.
It should be noted that the survey in November was conducted in a tense atmosphere created by terrorist attacks in Paris, which increased the feeling of insecurity in people which was reflected in their attitudes towards the refugee problem. At the time, Slovenian government launched a campaign which tried to persuade people that the wire was the only way for migrants to be gradually turned away from the Balkan route. The government also claimed that Slovenia could be excluded from the Schengen area of free movement if the fence was not built.
Support for the wire fence has decreased after protests were held by local residents along the border who tried to warn the public about negative consequences of the fence on the wildlife and the economy, especially tourism. The Slovenian government claims that the fence is a temporary measure which could not have been avoided, and Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar repeatedly said that he will be happy when conditions allow for the fence to be removed, but that for now it has to remain when it is, since in the spring millions of refugees and migrants could start moving towards Europe if a common European solution is not found until them.
