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This summary is provided by the STA:
Freedom Movement approves merger with LMŠ, SAB
LJUBLJANA - The senior coalition Freedom Movement approved with more than 90% of votes mergers with the non-parliamentary parties the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) and the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) in an online congress. This comes after members of the LMŠ and SAB had already given the green light for the merger. The merger is to be completed in the first half of July, while the first congress of the new party will be held before the local elections in autumn.
Bad bank replaces two executive directors
LJUBLJANA - The non-executive directors of the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC) dismissed Andrej Lazar and Kristina Šteblaj from their positions as BAMC executive directors and appointed Mitja Križaj and Žiga Pfeifer as acting executive directors to replace them. They will take up their posts on 1 July. Meanwhile, Matej Pirc remains an executive director. The replacements of BAMC executive directors are not unexpected, as they follow recent appointments among non-executive directors.
Psychoanalyst Krajnik enters presidential race
LJUBLJANA - Nina Krajnik, a philosopher and psychoanalyst, announced she is entering the presidential race. She will run as an independent but will accept endorsement by like-minded political parties. Krajnik says her politics is different since she is creating space for "everybody's truth and desire." Her desire is to connect people. "If we do not stand together during crisis, we are never together," she said. Little known before a recent TV interview and described by some as the first alt-right candidate, Krajnik has already been endorsed by some prominent figures on the right.
Govt plans to amend law on seizure of proceeds from crime
LJUBLJANA - The new government intends to amend legislation on the confiscation of proceeds from crime in a manner that will ensure a more effective confiscation of such assets. The plan also involves the creation of a special body that would better manage confiscated assets. The Justice Ministry told the STA that the key for effective confiscation of proceeds from crime was that it is secured in time and temporarily confiscated. The current legal basis is seen as sub-optimal.
PM meets NGOs to launch cooperation
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob met a number of NGOs, saying afterwards that the first step had been made toward a fruitful cooperation with the civil society. A government needs an active civil society because NGOs work among people and are able to address and resolve issues fast, the prime minister said. The meeting today agreed that the civil society will be invited to cooperate before legislative motions are filed in procedure.
Govt rating at 53% in POP TV poll
LJUBLJANA - The first monthly approval rating of the Robert Golob government stands at 53.1%, about eight points higher than the rating the Janez Janša government had right after it took office, according to a poll run by POP TV. Almost a third of respondents, 31.6%, oppose the current government, whereas just over 15% are undecided. The Freedom Movement polled at 28.4%, down almost two points on the month before, with the Democrats trailing at 18.9%, down almost a point.
Parliament discusses opposition bills, communicable diseases act
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly started a week-long session dominated by several dozen bills the opposition tabled on the opening day of the new parliament. Government amendments to the communicable diseases act and the first parliamentary inquiry are on the agenda as well. While the coalition is expected to vote down all opposition bills, the long-awaited amendments to the communicable diseases act will be passed given that this was one of the pledges of the coalition parties during the election campaign. Voting starts on Wednesday.
Interior minister pledges politics will not use police for its interests
LJUBLJANA - Politics must never again overpower the police force or abuse it for its particular goals, Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar said as the country observed Slovenian Police Day. She intends to restore the public's trust in the force and has also apologised for what she sees as unacceptable actions under the previous government. The police will no longer work for politics but for the community, she said, expressing the wish for cooperation with civil society.
Minister notes unity in support for more ambitious green goals
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Following a meeting of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, where more ambitious green energy and energy efficiency targets were endorsed, Infrastructure Minister Bojan Kumer noted that the unity displayed at the ministerial underlined the importance of endorsing the entire Fit for 55 package. Responding to the final green light for new rules on gas storage, he said the discussion made it clear that this time the bloc really needed a coordinated, unified European approach.
Minister meets Slovenians in Croatia, notes importance of learning Slovenian
RIJEKA, Croatia - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon visited Rijeka for his first official visit to the Slovenian community in Croatia. Arčon said the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad would like to be proactive in setting clear goals for the next four years together with members of the community. One of the objectives will be promoting the Slovenian language and culture in Croatia.
Top court says mask and hand disinfection mandate unconstitutional
LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court added the mask mandate introduced by the previous government in closed public spaces in 2020 to the list of unconstitutional measures related to the epidemic, again stressing that legislative changes as opposed to only decrees were necessary for such interventions. The measures were lifted during the court's deliberation of the case, but the court said it decided to deliver a ruling nevertheless also because the case could become relevant again.
Slovenian Business Club sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Business Club (SBC) and the Rdeča Žoga Foundation, founded by entrepreneur Joc Pečečnik, sent a humanitarian convoy with food and basic necessities to Ukraine. SBC members have raised over EUR 100,000 to help those affected by the war. Two truckloads of food and emergency supplies were deployed to the Mukachevo collection centre. From there, the aid will be sent out to those most in need.
Covid cases keep rising, but hospital figures low
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is in the midst of a growing new wave of Covid with the latest statistics showing cases steadily rising, even as hospital figures continue to decline. A total of 461 cases were confirmed over the weekend, more than double the figure recorded last weekend. One person with Covid died. As of this morning there were 30 persons in hospital with Covid as their primary condition, down from 36 a week ago, of which six are in intensive care, down from five.
Tjaša Andree Prosenc awarded Olympic Order
LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Tjaša Andree Prosenc, a former figure skater and roller skater and long-time member of the executive board of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia (OKS), was awarded the Olympic Order to become the fourth Slovenian to receive this honour. She received the Olympic Order, conferred by the International Olympic Committee, for her outstanding contribution to the Olympic Movement.
