Public appeal by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk

Ljubljana, 10.3.2008  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, calls upon all representatives of public institutions, civil society and other bodies to refrain from the inconsiderate use of the name of the late President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnov¹ek. President Türk shares the opinion of the family of the late President that we should seek responsible and appropriate ways to honour the memory of Dr Drnov¹ek as a statesman and personality who was sensitive to the needs of people, environmental issues and human-friendly development.

The President of the Republic, Dr Danilo Türk, is acting in response to a request from the late President’s family concerning initiatives to honour his memory. Despite good intentions, the hasty use of the late President’s name or erection of monuments may not be consistent with his family’s wishes.

The President of the Republic requests that, out of respect for the memory of Dr Janez Drnov¹ek, decisions on proposals of this kind are postponed to a later period, when they may be given more careful consideration. At the same time, any such decisions should take the wishes of the late President’s family into account in full and should be taken in consultation with the family and with due regard for expert opinions.