POLITICS, / By Sta

Ljubljana, The nine candidates standing in the 22 October presidential election have talked to the STA about how they see Slovenia's role in the international community, in particular from the aspect of challenges such as mass migrations and terrorism. They also said which global leader they would meet first as president.

Candidates are listed as they appear on the ballot.

Suzana Lara Krause (non-parliamentary Slovenian People's Party (SLS))

Terrorism is the plague of modern society and migrations are another complex issue, and the resolution of both those issues calls for cooperation of many players. Mass migrations should be addressed at their roots, but unfortunately the practice is quite the opposite. The number of migrants responding to [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel's invitation is such that she probably regrets it now. Migrations in the broadest sense will keep happening; there are also many Slovenians who earn their living abroad.

If elected, Krause would like to meet Emmanuel Macron, France's youngest president to date.

Angelca Likovič (The Voice for Children and Families, a non-parliamentary party)

Migrations are the biggest threat to women. The sense of safety is lost. Women will need to take some precaution. For the younger ones Likovič would advise mastering at least the basics of martial arts; as for the older: we can get ourselves some pepper sprays. That is how far we have come. She has been thinking for a while of getting something for herself. The army and police force will need to get beefed up too.

Maja Makovec Brenčič (ruling Party of the Modern Centre (SMC))

The more successful the EU, the more successful Slovenia. This is why Makovec Brenčič would like for Slovenia to remain in the closest-knit core of the European Union. Slovenia importantly co-shapes the EU today, something that could be seen during the migration crisis when Slovenia was actively involved in the resolution and served as a key link between member states and beyond.

As president I would first meet the presidents of all neighbouring countries for the sake of preserving the good neighbourly relationships, as well as the presidents of other Western Balkan countries.

Boris Popovič (non-parliamentary Slovenia Forever)

Despite the important geostrategic position of our country, Slovenia's geopolitical power equals zero, which is one of the things Popovič intends to change as a priority as president.

He would meet first US President Donald Trump, followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, then Chinese President Xi Jinping, then French President Emmanuel Macron and obviously the presidents of all of the republics of our former common country.

Andrej Šiško (United Slovenia, a non-parliamentary party)

Šiško sees Slovenia as a bridge between east and west, and as a country that can give a lot to Europe and the world at large. First we need to realise well who we are, what is our heritage and what this means to people on planet Earth, he said. Sadly, most Slovenians are unaware of that, because they have intentionally kept us in the dark about our forefathers.

Mass migrations and terrorism must be prevented, which is why security is of key importance at this time.

Marjan Šarec (Marjan Šarec List, a non-parliamentary party)

Despite its small size, Slovenia needs to have its voice heard. This means that we need to have allies, but we also need to say clearly that we want an efficient EU. When it comes to securing the Schengen border, this means extra equipment and extra staff on the borders of these countries. Terrorism has largely been generated by the superpowers, which share the responsibility for hot spots.

Šarec's first trip abroad as president would be to Zagreb, because the problem with Croatia is the most critical at the moment. Considering that French President Emmanuel Macron is three weeks younger than him, he believes they would surely find answers their generation has to those issues.

Borut Pahor (independent)

Pahor sees two strategic tasks for Slovenian foreign policy: to stay in the closest-integrated core of the EU and keep the initiative in shaping the EU's new vision, and to preserve good relations with the neighbours. There is no doubt that it is in the interests of EU countries that the EU is strong within and externally and as such a successful strategic partner to the US. This is also why orderly relations with Russia are extremely important for security and prosperity in Europe.

Pahor said he had and would continue to plan his trips abroad based on judgement what is best for Slovenia. It is customary though for the president to visit the European capital first.

Ljudmila Novak (opposition New Slovenia - Christian Democrats (NSi))

Regardless of its size, Slovenia has great potential to be an important player in the international community. Slovenia has a good diplomatic service, which she regrets to say has poor leadership at the moment. As bad leadership Novak also understands differing positions between key Slovenian foreign policy players. Slovenia must put in its word for the migration issue to be resolved at its root rather than at the EU's external borders.

She would first meet the presidents of neighbouring countries because it is with them that the country must have especially close and good ties.

Romana Tomc (opposition Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDS))

Tomc believes cooperation is the key to success in tackling migrations and terrorism, in particular when it comes to terrorist threats. If each country does as it pleases, if we do not have linked databases, there will no optimum success. There are quite a few questions on migrations, the most important being how many refugees we can accept, what is the upper limit. As far as economic migrants are concerned, each country should decide considering its economic capabilities.

Tomc's first meeting as president would probably be with the leaders of neighbouring countries.