LJUBLJANA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two Slovenian ministers resigned on Sunday following the death of a 48-year-old man who was attacked in southeastern Slovenia, in an incident that has reignited debate over social inclusion and security policies concerning the country's Roma community.

Minister of the Interior Bostjan Poklukar and Minister of Justice Andreja Katic tendered their resignations hours after the victim, assaulted in front of a bar in the city of Novo Mesto on Saturday, died in hospital. Prime Minister Robert Golob accepted their resignations.

The resignations come only months before Slovenia's general election scheduled for March.

According to police, a 20-year-old man from the local Roma community has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack.

The Roma people are recognized as a national minority in Slovenia, numbering between 7,000 and 12,000, about 0.4 percent of the population. They mostly live in the country's southeast and northeast regions.

Despite legal protection under the 2007 Roma Community Act, many Roma settlements remain informal and face poor living conditions, limited access to education, and high unemployment. Some areas lack adequate infrastructure such as running water and electricity.

The attack and the subsequent resignations have sparked a nationwide debate about public safety, social integration, and government accountability.

Janez Jansa, head of the opposition center-right Slovenian Democratic Party, urged Golob to step down. Golob rejected the call, saying the government would soon propose legislative amendments to strengthen security and improve living conditions in vulnerable communities.

Analysts said the incident underscores long-standing challenges in integrating the Roma community into Slovenia's social and economic fabric. While the government has invested in education and employment initiatives, progress has been slow due to persistent marginalization and community mistrust. ■