Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša delivered a speech at the state Independence Day celebration in Koper, but his address was interrupted by loud whistling and protest chants from gathered citizens. Police were forced to intervene due to the protests.
Protesters assembled on Ukmar Square, where the main state celebration was held. Police warned them not to disrupt the event, and an officer used a megaphone to call on the crowd to disperse and not interfere with the ceremony, warning them that the protest was being photographed and filmed. Footage shows several verbal clashes between protesters and citizens who had come to support the celebration.
In his speech, Janša stated that Slovenian independence was the result of a long struggle for language, identity and the survival of the nation. He said that after independence, Slovenia was on a good path to becoming a 'second Switzerland', but that this was followed by years of missed opportunities. 'Slovenia is safe today, and security is the main condition for stability and economic development,' Janša stated.
He cited a clear political goal, unity among citizens, timely preparations for defence, good intelligence data and the motivation of Slovenian forces as the key reasons for victory in the war for Slovenia. He also claimed that Slovenia is today at approximately 91 per cent of the European average, as it was in 2008.
The celebration was held to mark the 35th anniversary of the departure of the last Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) soldiers from Slovenia. On the night of 25 to 26 October 1991, the last military unit of the Yugoslav People's Army left Koper Port.
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar did not attend the celebration, nor did representatives of opposition parties. Pirc Musar had previously cancelled her attendance due to disagreement with government moves, including the renaming of the holiday. Opposition parties Svoboda, Levica and SD oppose the renaming of the holiday.
Footage was posted on social media by RTV Slovenija journalist Eugenija Carl. The ceremony was attended, alongside members of the current government, by representatives of the first Slovenian government from the independence period, including Lojze Peterle, Dimitrij Rupel, Igor Bavčar and Jelko Kacin.
