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This summary is provided by the STA:
Controversial indecent behaviour amendment voted down
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly narrowly voted down controversial amendments proposing to introduce fines for indecent behaviour when detected by a police officer. 43 MPs voted in favour and 44 against. Originally, the amendments to the protection of public order act envisaged fines of EUR 500 to EUR 1,000 for insulting senior officials and their families. After strong backlash in the public against the proposal, the definition was expanded on the committee to make indecent behaviour towards anyone punishable by a fine. The centre-left opposition insisted that the proposal sought to silence criticism of those in power. The ruling coalition argued it was to prevent street violence.
EU ministers discuss measures to tackle energy crisis
BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU energy ministers discussed ways to tackle rising power and gas prices. Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said the Commission could validate "short-term temporary measures" to tackle the effects of the rising prices. She listed tax and excise policies, targeted measures for the energy poor, temporary measures for households and small companies, and direct support for consumers as measures that would be "in accordance with EU regulations". Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec described the Commission's Fit for 55 package as a much needed step forward and said the general consensus was that the package was good, but there was quite a bit of work ahead.
Almost 1,190 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, ten deaths
LJUBLJANA - A total of 1,186 PCR tests returned positive on Tuesday for a positivity rate of 20%, the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) said. The number of active cases in the country is estimated at 13,743. The number of patients in hospitals was up further, to 384, including 105 in intensive care, and ten Covid-19 patients died, the government said. The 7-day average of new cases was down by 26 to 1,001 but the 14-day incidence per 100,000 increased by 5 to 649. A total of 7,318 people received a Covid-19 vaccine shot on Tuesday.
Pahor meets Erdogan on sidelines of UN General Assembly
NEW YORK, US - President Borut Pahor, who is in New York for the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, held several bilateral meetings on Tuesday, including with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss cooperation, Afghanistan and migrations. Pahor and Erdogan assessed the Slovenia-Turkey relations as very good, especially since 2011 when the countries signed a strategic partnership, with cooperation especially good in economy. Pahor expects the joint economic commission to meet soon.
Pahor for boosting ties with Vietnam, Cape Verde
NEW YORK, US - President Borut Pahor continued a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly by meeting his counterpart from Cape Verde Jorge Carlos Fonseca, and from Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Being the first such top-level talks, Pahor and Nguyen agreed the meeting could provide a boost to the bilateral relationship and all-round cooperation between the two nations. Interest in deepening political ties was also expressed as Pahor met Fonseca. The pair agreed that time had come for a top state visit.
Slovenia calls for more aid for Yemen at UN event
NEW YORK, US - Foreign Ministry State Secretary Stanislav Raščan called for an increase in aid for Yemen as he took part in a special event on the humanitarian crisis in the country on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. He expressed concern over the ever larger gap between the humanitarian needs and the available funding. Along with the need to increase the funding for the country the international community would have to make sure that the aid reached the most vulnerable groups.
Assistance provided to evacuated Afghans
LJUBLJANA - Local Afghan staff who were evacuated from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country are having their lives sorted out in Slovenia with the government making arrangements concerning welfare, housing, healthcare and education. They will receive cash welfare payments, their healthcare will be paid for, and education will be provided. The government Office for Integration of Migrants will provide assistance in integration and the Defence Ministry will provide housing for a year rent-free.
Slovenia, Australia to talk double taxation avoidance deal
CANBERRA, Australia - Slovenia and Australia will start negotiations to conclude an agreement on avoidance of double taxation next year, the Slovenian Embassy in Canberra announced, adding that such an agreement was expected to have a positive influence on the volume of economic cooperation between the countries, especially in investment. Slovenia presented its version of the agreement to Australia in June 2018, and it is thanks to the effort by the embassy, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry and other bodies that the negotiations will now finally start.
Audiovisual services act falls short in revote
LJUBLJANA - An audiovisual services act whose core provision was a 6% levy on content providers to finance a new fund for the production of domestic content fell two votes short in a parliamentary vote after it was vetoed by the upper chamber of parliament. The National Council veto came after sharp criticism by content providers as well as the Association of Slovenian Journalists. Content providers such as TV stations and video-on-demand platforms would be required to earmark 6% of their gross annual revenue to the special fund, which would be under the control of the Culture Ministry.
Rules on pet care tightened up
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that seeks to better protect pets, increase their well-being and enhance the responsibility of their owners. Under the amendments to the animal protection act, it will be prohibited to tether dogs, except in specific situations such as in the case of guard dogs at farms. Electric collars are being outlawed as well. Guard dogs at farms will be allowed to be kept on a lead at least five metres long that will allow the dog to move around at least four metres in each direction. The latter will need to be implemented by 1 January 2024.
Dividends boost profit of Sovereign Holding
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) saw its half-year net profit increase more than five-fold year-on-year to EUR 26 million, chiefly as a result of much higher dividend entitlements. Return on equity rose to 6.4% from 4% in the first half of last year. SSH reported having generated EUR 47.8 million in operating profit in the first half of the year. Assets and capital increased by EUR 125 million, which is attributed in part to growth in stock market prices.
Businesses regret withdrawal of social security contribution cap
LJUBLJANA - Employer representatives regretted the government's decision to withdraw a cap on social security contributions from an omnibus de-bureaucratisation bill. "We have realised with regret that as a society, we are not able to reach agreement on Slovenia's key development challenges and on further prosperity of its residents," they said. As the government withdrew several proposals from the bill it was not discussed by parliament today as planned, and the whole parliamentary procedure will start anew.
Nuclear physicist Cizelj named to SSH supervisory board
LJUBLJANA - Leon Cizelj, a nuclear physicist working at the Jožef Stefan Institute, was named a member of the supervisory board of Slovenian Sovereign Holding, as the National Assembly voted 46:36 in favour of his appointment. Cizelj succeeds Igor Kržan, who stepped down from the five-member supervisory board in January. Cizelj is best known in the public as the author of projections of the coronavirus epidemic.
TBP sees revenue down 16% in 2020, still finishes with profit
LENART - TBP, the Lenart-based producer of push-pull bowden cables and plastics employing more than 900 people, saw its revenue decrease by 16% to EUR 54 million last year. The company nevertheless posted nearly half a million euro in net profit, a quarter of the figure in 2019. The company attributed the declining numbers to the Covid-19 pandemic, with CEO Danilo Rojko saying in the annual report that a "tumultuous and demanding year is behind us". Investments planned for this year amount to EUR 2.3 million, total revenue is expected at EUR 61 million and net profit above EUR 2 million.
EUR 28m approved for natural disaster relief equipment
LJUBLJANA - The Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy said it had approved European funds for a project to secure equipment for protection, rescue and assistance in the event of floods. The project is worth EUR 28 million, of which EUR 20 million will come from the EU cohesion funds. The Civil Protection and Disaster Relief Administration will get 40 special cargo vehicles, 164 exchangeable containers and 10 high-performance pump units.
Tobacco tax increasing as of November
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian tobacco prices will rise in November and again in April next year under changes to the excise duty regulation that the government adopted today. A pack of cigarettes will be 4.6% more expensive on average once both rounds of tax increases are implemented. The government projects annual receipts to increase by EUR 15.6 million annually as a result of the tax hike.
Average July wage slightly down to around EUR 1,950 gross
LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in Slovenia in July stood at EUR 1,941, down 0.6% nominally and 0.2% in real terms on June. Totalling EUR 1,250, the average net pay was down 0.5% in nominal terms and 0.9% in real terms, the Statistics Office said. The average gross pay for July dropped by 1.4% in the public sector over June, while increasing by 0.1% in the private sector. Broken down by sectors, it was the highest in financial and insurance companies, at EUR 2,701.
Consumer confidence continues to deteriorate
LJUBLJANA - Consumer confidence in Slovenia deteriorated for the third month in a row in September as the relevant indicator was down by one percentage point compared to August, which the Statistics Office attributes to more pessimistic expectations regarding the economic situation in the country and financial situation in households.
Slovenia win two team bronzes at Canoe Slalom World Championships
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Slovenian kayak and canoe teams won two bronze medals at the outset of the Canoe Slalom World Championships, in the men's team slalom and the men's team whitewater event. Peter Kauzer, Martin Srabotnik and Niko Testen won the bronze medal in the men's team slalom behind France and Slovakia. In the whitewater event, Anže Urankar, Simon Oven and Nejc Žnidarčič were bested only by the surprise winners Germany and France
