On Friday night in Metlika, at an event called “Vinska Vigred” (“Wine Spring”), five people attacked Peter Gregorčič, a candidate and first person on the list of the Slovenian People’s Party (Slovenska ljudska stranka – SLS) for the upcoming European elections. They punched him in the face.
According to Bojan Požar on X, they were Roma, and after the attack, the police arrested them. Požar added that Peter Gregorčič continued with his campaign on Saturday. Gregorčič commented that it was not a politically motivated attack.
Peter Gregorčič and the Slovenian People’s Party are a thorn in the side of the ruling parties. This was already demonstrated by the discussion on Thursday’s episode of the show Tarča (“Target”), to which Gregorčič was not invited, even though he should have been, according to all the rules.
Police officers were informed of the breach of public order shortly after 10 p.m. The assailant was tracked down and, as he did not follow the officers’ instructions and orders, he was taken to a detention centre. The 20-year-old, who was under the influence of alcohol, will be issued a fine of 438 euros for the offence, which includes elements of violence and failure to comply with a legal measure, the Novo mesto Police Directorate said on Saturday.
The Slovenian People’s Party thanked the police for their quick and correct action. “As we do not want the event to overshadow the European elections, Gregorčič and the candidates are actively continuing their campaign today,” they added.
Moja Dolenjska
