The anthem dispute between Styria and Slovenia continues. The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects the state of Styria to abandon the constitutional anchoring of the national anthem. The Slovenian daily “Dnevnik” reported this on Friday.
The FPÖ’s plans to include the Styrian national anthem in the state constitution have been causing diplomatic tensions with Slovenia for some time. The reason: the anthem sings about Styria from the Dachstein to the “Bed of the Sav” and to the “Rebenland in the Drav Valley” – both areas are now in the territory of neighboring Slovenia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has therefore criticized the anchoring of the national anthem with these controversial lyrics and referred to the “territorial integrity and sovereignty” of Slovenia.
Are German speakers discriminated against in Slovenia?
Recently, Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) rejected this criticism in clear terms and complained, among other things, about “discrimination” against the German-speaking minority in Slovenia.
Slovenia against entrenchment
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of our neighboring country has now spoken out again in the Slovenian daily “Dnevnik”: It is expected that the state of Styria will renounce the constitutional anchoring of the national anthem, which also refers to the Slovenian national territory. “Slovenia is against any relativization of the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the country says.
Instead of initiatives such as the confirmation of a historically outdated anthem, which also mentions part of the Slovenian territory in the text, the Land of Styria should focus on constructive, forward-looking cooperation and joint projects for the benefit of all residents of the border . regions and both countries, says the Slovenian Foreign Ministry.
Regarding the criticism of the Governor of Styria on the lack of recognition of the German-speaking ethnic group in Slovenia, the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the rights of members of the German-speaking ethnic group are guaranteed in Article 61 of the Slovenian Constitution. “The Slovenian government has been conducting a dialogue with them for many years within the framework of an inter-ministerial working group and providing financial resources for the preservation of their culture and language,” it was emphasized.
Carinthian Slovenes also criticize the FPÖ plans
The Council of Carinthian Slovenes was also critical of the FPÖ’s plans in Styria. “Provincial Governor Mario Kunasek has made several mistakes these days with his statements about the Styrian national anthem,” the website reads. On the one hand, Kunasek lacks the necessary two-thirds majority in the state parliament to elevate the anthem to constitutional status, and on the other hand, the issue of the state border in the Bad Radkersburg – Veld – Eibiswald area has long been regulated. in Article 5 of the Austrian State Treaty since 1955. “The Drau therefore flows through Slovenia and not through Styria,” the council said.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
