Matoz promises a depoliticized police force

Franci Matoz, the confirmed candidate for Slovenia's interior minister, has pledged to lead a depoliticized police force, emphasizing his commitment to serving the country.

“

Excessive organizational fragmentation in practice does not allow for a systemic approach to addressing complex issues.

Matoz, who has extensive experience in public administration and law, acknowledged the expanded scope of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration following the integration of the Ministry of Digital Administration. He plans to review organizational units and eliminate redundant positions to streamline operations.

To address the shortage of police кадров, Matoz proposed a separate pay system for police officers, enhancements to the career system, and accelerated scholarship and education programs. He aims to prevent security services from poaching police candidates.

“

So that it doesn't happen as it is now, that security services for private security steal candidates for police officers, if I can put it that way.

Further reforms include regionalizing criminal police for greater efficiency, modifying the National Bureau of Investigation's responsibilities due to underutilization, and strengthening cooperation between the police and prosecutors. The highway police will be reinstated with automatic license plate checking capabilities. Matoz also intends to initiate negotiations with the striking police union and begin withdrawing permanent surveillance at former border crossings.

“

The state cannot be an end in itself.

His vision extends to rationalizing and decentralizing public administration across the country, with plans to gradually relocate some departments to the regions. Matoz also intends to introduce binding deadlines for administrative procedures and a presumption of positive opinion, where a lack of timely decision implies approval. He sees digitalization as a key tool for reallocating human resources within public administration to user-facing roles.

“

The predictability of the duration of procedures is a component of legal certainty.