Matej Vodopivec Says Maribor Needs Less Division and More Practical Cooperation

Matej Vodopivec, president of Maribor’s Studenci district community, says local politics has shown him that people with different political views can still work together. In an interview with Večer, he argued that Slovenia is too divided and that cooperation should matter more than party labels. Vodopivec discussed his political links with the Prerod movement led by Vladimir Prebilič and the Pirates, explaining that the values and approach of potential allies matter to him. He also described how people in Studenci with different political convictions manage to work together on local concerns. Taking on leadership of the district community brought surprises, he said. Some projects had been waiting a long time to be carried out, and he reflected on what he found when he assumed the role. His comments also touched on the relationship between district-level work and the wider city administration, where he said a degree of skepticism about how the city is run can be useful. The interview ranged beyond politics. Vodopivec recalled that he had once considered studying history or stage design before becoming a dental technician. He also spoke about his family’s coastal roots and his attachment to Maribor, as well as his views on tourism, development incubators and residents who commute to work in Austria. Asked about the Institute 8 March, led by Nika Kovač, Vodopivec described it as a useful non-governmental organization. He said he supports its work while not agreeing with every position, and offered his perspective on whether it should eventually test itself in elections. The interview presents a local official weighing political alliances, civic activism and the practical needs of his city.