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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Šarec says Commission decision on Croatia and Shengen political, Slovenia expects compliance with rules
LJUBLJANA - Commenting on the European Commission assessing that Croatia has met the conditions to enter the Schengen zone, PM Marjan Šarec regretted that such an important decision had been made right before the end of the Commission's term. Speaking of a political decision, Šarec expects Croatia to meet all technical and legal conditions. "We had already said that if the decision was political, then Slovenia would also act politically and in line with its interests," Šarec reiterated. The opposition Democrats (SDS) were alone in their support for the Commission decision, but several other MPs also warned against the option of Slovenia, which is suing Croatia for EU law violation with respect to the border arbitration, blocking Croatia's Schenen zone accession.
Fiscal Council warns of risks surrounding budget plans
LJUBLJANA - The Fiscal Council has found the proposed budgets for 2020 and 2021 to be in compliance with fiscal rules, but expressed concern because they do not factor in the financial impact of bills that are being adopted. "As far as fiscal rules go, these are complied with," the council's head, Davorin Kračun, told reporters. However, he also pointed to "risks that cast shadow" of doubt that the fiscal rules will be implemented.
Bill on recourse over bank bail-in finally passed
LJUBLJANA - A government-sponsored bill designed to provide legal recourse for holders of subordinated bank liabilities wiped out in the 2013 bank bailout was passed in a 46:34 vote. But it may take a while before the erased investors are compensated, as the central bank had announced a constitutional review. The bill provides easier access to recourse for up to 100,000 potential plaintiffs, both shareholders and holders of junior bonds wiped out on instruction of the EU. It was passed after the Constitutional Court said in 2016 that a provision from the law on banking did not give the subordinated creditors and shareholders effective access to recourse.
President attends Emperor Naruhito's enthronement
TOKYO, Japan - President Borut Pahor attended Japanese Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony in Tokyo, which marked his formal ascension to the throne. Pahor said in a tweet that his participation in "this unique historic event" was of symbolic nature and would deliver an opportunity to further reinforce bilateral ties between Slovenia and Japan and the countries' political dialogue. The president will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday.
Erjavec says Croatia ready for EU presidency regarding defence
ZAGREB, Croatia - Defence Minister Karl Erjavec met his Croatian counterpart Damir Krstičević in Zagreb, with the pair agreeing that Slovenia and Croatia's defence cooperation was excellent. Erjavec did not want to comment on whether Croatia was prepared for joining the Schengen area. Erjavec said that the question was not relevant for his ministry, while Krstičević said that his country was ready to enter Schengen and that he expected a go-ahead from the European Commission, which was later today indeed given.
Cerar to visit United Arab Emirates next week
LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar is to pay a working visit to the United Arab Emirates next Tuesday and Wednesday. As part of the trip, Cerar will inaugurate the Slovenian Embassy in Abu Dabi, which has been operating as the first Slovenian embassy in a Gulf country since 2018, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. Cerar is scheduled to meet counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, while he is also to chair with UAE Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoor the first meeting of a joint commission for Slovenia-UAE economic cooperation.
Poklukar visits Slovenian officers on Serbian-N Macedonian border
PREŠEVO, Serbia - Slovenian Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar and his Serbian counterpart Nebojša Stefanović visited the Preševo border crossing with North Macedonia, where members of the Serbian and Slovenian police jointly control the migrant flow and prevent illegal crossings of the border. As part of the visit to the border crossing in southern Serbia, Stefanović said that the cooperation of the countries in the prevention of illegal migration showed that it was possible to provide security to citizens and prevent illegal migration with a joint effort.
Facing public uproar, MPs give up planned new priviliges
LJUBLJANA - A bill that would have introduced a number of privileges and benefits for MPs was voted down in the National Assembly even though it had been initiated by almost all MPs bar those of the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) and the Left. The majority withdrew their support after the changes came under fire from the public. The privileges that drew the most criticism were tax benefits, significantly raised transport allowances, a secured right to unemployment allowance after a single day as an MP, and what seemed like a legal vacuum preventing the penalising of MPs who simultaneously serve in posts deemed incompatible with public office. A bill was meanwhile passed that aims to make the National Assembly more autonomous, and more independent from the government.
Parliament provides more funds for medical profession trainees
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed changes to the medical practitioners act providing more funds for medical profession trainees. Hoping to address the shortage of doctors, the 2020 draft budget earmarks EUR 80 million for medical traineeships, while the actual cost is estimated at EUR 91.7 million. The additional funds will be provided by the public Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS).
MPs raise minimum hourly rate for student work to EUR 4.56 net
LJUBLJANA - Parliament backed legislative changes that raise the minimum net hourly rate for student work from EUR 4.13 to EUR 4.56. The opposition Left, which initiated the raise, had been pushing for more, but failed to get support from the coalition and remaining opposition parties, which fear businesses may have trouble handling the new rate. The raise becomes effective on 1 January 2020.
SDS voices support for state guarantees for two key infrastructure projects
RAVNE NA KOROŠKEM - The largest opposition party, the Democrats (SDS), announced its support for the government-sponsored bill on state guarantees for loans to build a vital north-south motorway and a second rail link between Divača and the Koper port. Speaking at a public debate in Ravne na Koroškem last night, party leader Janez Janša said the bill had shortcomings but would "go through".
Foundation stone laid as Housing Fund starts expanding stock
LJUBLJANA - The foundation stone was laid for the construction of nearly 500 flats in the Ljubljana Brdo borough. The EUR 57 million project is only the first step of the national Housing Fund to build additional 1,500 rental flats as part of expanding its portfolio by 10,000 new flats by 2025. The Novo Brdo housing estate will expectedly be ready for its residents to move in in 2021.
Pipistrel completes aircraft order to Indian govt
AJDOVŠČINA - Pipistrel, the Slovenia-based ultralight electric aircraft maker, has delivered nearly 200 aircraft to the Indian ministry of defence, the company announced, saying that it was happy to finish the delivery despite warnings from other players in the industry that this was too tall an order for the company. Pipistrel said it had met the delivery conditions, while services like maintenance, customer support and supply of spare parts will be provided for a long time after this first stage is completed.
Household disposable income higher in 2018
LJUBLJANA - The average disposable income of Slovenian households was up 5.8% across Slovenia in 2018 on the year before. The northern Koroška region had the highest disposable income per citizen, followed by south-eastern and central Slovenia, the Statistics Office said. Meanwhile, the lowest disposable income was recorded in the north-eastern Pomurje region. The average Slovenian household disposable income stood at some EUR 11,870.
Prešeren's muse Julija Primic in focus of new opera
NOVO MESTO - An opera dedicated to Julija Primic (1816-1864), the muse of Slovenia's most celebrated poet France Prešeren (1800-1849), is being created in Novo Mesto, a city in south-east Slovenia where she spent the final 14 years of her life. Scheduled to premiere in February, the opera is being composed by Aleš Makovac and directed by Rok Rappel Rocc, while the libretto has been written by historian and literary historian Igor Grdina, an expert on Prešeren.
Enfant terrible of Slovenian art scene wins Ježek Award
LJUBLJANA - Public broadcaster RTV Slovenija has bestowed this year's Ježek Award on rebellious singer-songwriter and performer Marko Brecelj. He will receive the award, which celebrates lifetime achievement in satire on radio and TV, on Sunday. Brecelj is widely known as the founder and lead singer of Buldožer, an iconic progressive rock band from the 1970s which was inspired by Frank Zappa's music.
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