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This summary is provided by the STA:
MPs endorse climate strategy resolution until 2050
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed in a 49:17 vote a resolution on climate strategy until 2050 under which Slovenia commits to become climate neutral in the coming 30 years. Before backing it, coalition MPs added a provision saying that Slovenia will use nuclear energy in the long term, which upset part of the opposition. Under the long-term strategy, Slovenia will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90% compared to 2005 until the middle of the 21st century.
Constitutional Court nominee Kranjc one vote short
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly rejected President Borut Pahor's nominee for Constitutional Court judge, Janez Kranjc. He received 45 votes in a secret ballot, one short of the required majority, as 43 MPs voted against and one ballot was invalid. Kranjc is the third consecutive candidate put forward by Pahor to come up short in the parliamentary vote. Pahor's consultations with deputy groups leading up to the vote showed that Kranjc did not have a clear path to 46 votes. The failed appointment means that Dunja Jadek Pensa, whose nine-year term expired in mid-2020, remains on the bench until a successor is appointed.
Ministerial appointment expected on Friday
LJUBLJANA - The appointment of Mark Boris Andrijanič as minister without portfolio for the digital transformation is likely to be on the National Assembly's agenda this Friday. The ruling Democrats (SDS) expect to muster sufficient votes for the appointment. The plan is to conduct the committee hearing on Friday morning and then call an emergency plenary the same day, a proposal to be put to a vote to the college of deputy group leaders on Thursday, said SDS deputy group leader Danijel Krivec. Andrijanič told the STA that digitalisation was an exceptional opportunity for Slovenia.
Slovenian EU presidency focusing on post-pandemic recovery
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj singled out the post-pandemic recovery as the most important task for the Slovenian EU presidency as he appeared before the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Just today the Council endorsed national recovery and resilience plans by the first twelve member states and Šircelj said the presidency planned to launch a debate on fiscal policy in connection with these plans. Quizzed about the flexibility of Stability and Growth Pact rules, the minister said member states needed to be treated individually, while making sure they are not spending beyond their means in the long term.
MEPs quiz Simoniti and Kustec about press freedom, discrimination in education
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti and Education Minister Simona Kustec presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in their briefs to the European Parliament Committee on Culture, receiving several questions from MEPs about pandemic-related challenges, but also about press freedom and discrimination in education. Simoniti was asked about protection of independent media, while Kustec was also quizzed about how poorer families should be guaranteed better access to distance learning.
EU finance ministers endorse first 12 recovery plans
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU finance ministers, meeting under the chairmanship of Slovenia's Andrej Šircelj, endorsed the first 12 national recovery and resilience plans, allowing member states to start drawing EU recovery funds. Šircelj labelled the approval of the plans, which do not yet include Slovenia's, a major step forward in the recovery of the European economy. Slovenia can expect confirmation of its plan at the end of the month, along with Lithuania, Cyprus and Croatia.
Kukovec endorsed for EU General Court judge
LJUBLJANA - Damjan Kukovec, senior lecturer in law at Middlesex School of Law in London, was endorsed as a candidate for judge at the EU General Court, the National Assembly having voted 74:15 in his favour in a secret ballot. Kukovec's was one of the eight applications in the open call. He was okayed as the most suitable candidate by the Judicial Council before being nominated by President Borut Pahor. Among the challenges faced by the EU's General Court, he singled out access to the court during his public presentation. Before he can take up his post, he will be interviewed by Committee 255, which vets candidates for EU Court judges.
Vodopivec Jean gets another term as central bank vice-governor
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly reappointed Irena Vodopivec Jean a vice-governor of the central bank. She will assume another six-year term after her current one ends on 6 October. Presenting her bid in her recent presentation at the Presidential Palace, Vodopivec Jean listed the role of monetary policy in the eurozone as one of the central bank's main challenges ahead. MPs endorsed her reappointment in a secret ballot in a 67:22 vote.
Equality advocate gets second term
LJUBLJANA - Miha Lobnik won a new five-year term as advocate of the principle of equality as the National Assembly voted 53:23 in favour of his reappointment. Nominated by President Borut Pahor after consultations with deputy groups, Lobnik said at his public presentation in June he wanted to continue an inclusive dialogue. Lobnik also highlighted the international dimension of his work and said the experiences would be shared with Western Balkan countries.
Parliament passes three bills to enhance oversight of EU capital market
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed three bills transposing six EU directives to enhance oversight of the EU's capital market. The bills were fast-tracked through parliament with votes of the coalition and two opposition parties, while the centre-left opposition argued that fast-tracking increased corruption risks. Parliament passed the changes to the law on the market of financial instruments as well as a bill on prudential supervision of investment firms and a bill on mortgage and municipal bonds.
Amendments to military service act endorsed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed in a 51:11 vote amendments to the service in the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) act which aim to address long-standing labour issues and the specific rights and responsibilities of soldiers during service. Under the amendments, there will be a 4% pay bonus for soldiers due to the fact that there is a strike ban in place, and off-days for soldiers deployed in missions abroad. New regulations are in place for housing conditions for soldiers and scholarships, and there is now a legal basis for financing secondary education for candidates for voluntary service.
Electronic identification and trust services act passed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously endorsed an electronic identification and trust services act, legislation that will make it possible to use the new biometric ID cards as electronic identification. The legislation will allow Slovenia to register its national electronic identification scheme for cross-border services, which means Slovenian users will have access to public sector e-services on the EU's internal market.
Parliament passes changes to public procurement law
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a set of changes to the public procurement act in a 51:14 vote. The first change to the law since its passage in 2015 aims to simplify public procurement while also making it more transparent, flexible and efficient. The opposition Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) and the Left meanwhile fear it would enhance corruption risks. The bill should make it easier for local governments to buy goods and services under lower value contracts whereby the bill raises the lower value from EUR 20,000 to EUR 40,000, and from EUR 40,000 to EUR 80,000 for construction projects.
Parliament amends agriculture act
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly backed in a unanimous vote amendments to the agriculture act that introduce some significant changes related to the implementation of agricultural policies. The new legislation specifies the persons eligible for agricultural policy measures, the reporting of organic matter to assess emissions, removals of greenhouse gases from agriculture, the monitoring of agricultural soils, and the regulation of fertilisation. Each farmer will have to agree that samples can be taken on their land.
Defence minister hopes Strategic Compass in place soon
ATHENS, Greece - Defence Minister Matej Tonin highlighted the Strategic Compass, a project which aims to strengthen the EU's crisis management, resilience, partnerships and capabilities, as he addressed the Defence Exhibition Athens. He hopes it will be prepared as soon as possible. The Strategic Compass provides key guidelines for common defence and security policy over the next 5-10 years. An important part of the project will take shape during Slovenia's EU presidency, the Defence Ministry said.
E-mobility and alternative fuels core transport priorities
LJUBLJANA - The main priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency in transport are e-mobility and alternative fuels, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said as he presented the presidency agenda to the European Parliament's Transport Committee. This will also be the main topic of an informal transport ministerial scheduled for September. "Priority treatment will be given to the infrastructure aspects of the promotion of a higher share of alternative and emission-free fuels in transport. We will also dedicate sufficient time to specific proposals concerning aviation and maritime fuels," he said.
President says fundamental EU values should be understood the same way
PRAGUE, Czechia - President Borut Pahor called for a strong and effective Europe as he appeared as a speaker at the Prague European Summit, recalling the bloc's fundamental values such as rule of law that he said should be understood the same way. He also received the Visions for Europe Award. Pahor urged all EU citizens to participate in the debates in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe, describing this as a unique opportunity for them to shape the future.
Speaker Zorčič urges social dialogue
LJUBLJANA - Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič urged "Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj and the government to restore social dialogue" as he received a delegation of the trade union confederations that quit social dialogue in mid-May arguing the government ignored the Economic and Social Council (ESS), the main labour relations forum. This should be done so that all stances are considered, not in a manner where the government's social partners "only get acquainted with facts", he added.
Criminal police investigating harassment of MPs
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Police Department said its criminal department was investigating last week's harassment of several MPs by anti-maskers in front of the National Assembly. It also beefed up police security around the parliament building and of parliament staff. More MPs than initially reported they were a target of harassment and threats, the police said, noting that "the numbers show that these were not individual accidental expressions of people's dissatisfaction with MPs".
Slovenian EU presidency exhibition opens in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - As part of the Slovenian EU presidency, Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti opened an exhibition of contemporary Slovenian visual arts at the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday, entitled We Live in Exciting Times. The minister opposed the initial concept of the show, but was pleased with the end result. The show features artists selected by curator Marko Košan from the Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts and paintings and a sculpture that are part of the European Parliament's collection.
Mad Hatter's Wardrobe by designer Hranitelj on display in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Costume designer Alan Hranitelj's exhibition dedicated to the wondrous and creative world of Alice in Wonderland opened in Brussels as part of the Slovenian EU presidency. Mad Hatter's Wardrobe will be on display at the headquarters of the Council of the EU until the end of the year. The exhibition, prepared in cooperation with stage designer Marko Japelj, was opened by Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti, who described it as a plethora of colourful works of art with a fairytale-like or psychedelic effect.
Slovenia supports EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security
LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs took part in a virtual seminar on the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security as chair of the EU's Home Affairs Council, stressing the role of tech development. The aim of the hub is to keep track of innovations and contribute to the development of joint technological solutions for EU member states. "In light of the Innovation Hub I'm looking forward to a more proactive approach to technological development and needs of competent authorities in this area," Hojs added.
Youth for Climate Justice urge Minister Vizjak to resign
LJUBLJANA - The Youth for Climate Justice called on Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak to step down, saying he was careless and unprofessional at his job. Responding to this, the ministry told the STA that Vizjak would continue to strive for preservation of the environment. The call for resignation comes after government-sponsored changes to the waters act were defeated in Sunday's referendum. The call for resignation comes after government-sponsored changes to the waters act were defeated in Sunday's referendum.
Foreign Ministry allots EUR 120,000 for Madagascar poor
LJUBLJANA - Pedro Opeka, the Slovenian missionary in Madagascar, has received EUR 120,000 in humanitarian aid for the country's poorest people under a strategic partnership signed between the Foreign Ministry and the Slovenian chapter the Catholic charity Caritas in June. Caritas said it had launched the first emergency response under that partnership in Madagascar this month in cooperation with Opeka with the ministry allocating the aid for the poorest.
Slovenia reports 84 new coronavirus cases for Monday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 84 new coronavirus cases for Monday, an increase of 75% from the same day a week ago, for what the National Institute of Public Health estimates are now 610 active cases in the country. No Covid-19 patients died and the situation in hospitals remains stable. The rolling 7-day average of new cases rose by five to 59 and the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents increased by two to 28.
