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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša urges stronger cooperation in fight against pandemic at ASEM
LJUBLJANA/PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Prime Minister Janez Janša called for stronger cooperation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic as he addressed the Asian-European Meeting (ASEM) by videolink. "Better cooperation and an effective response to crises such as health emergencies requires cooperation and mutual coordination," he said. "To fully overcome the pandemic, we need to strengthen solidarity and resilience of our societies. The EU is fully aware of this and is therefore the biggest per capita vaccine donor in the world," Janša said.
Slovenia hails EU agreement on digital markets and services
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU ministers in charge of competitiveness clinched a political agreement on two key digital acts - on digital markets and services at a session chaired by Slovenian Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and Digital Transformation Minister Mark Boris Andrijanič. Počivalšek lauded the agreement an important milestone on the path to create a more open and competitive digital market, while Andrijanič and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton This described the achievement as a historic day for EU consumers.
Opposition critical of changes to appointment delegated prosecutors
LJUBLJANA - Centre-left opposition parties expressed criticism of the amendments to the act on the public prosecution regarding the appointment of Slovenian prosecutors delegated to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) just as Slovenia's two prosecutors received full five-year terms. The EPPO and the European Commission would not comment on the amendments, which would give the government more say in the appointment of delegated prosecutors. Speaker Igor Zorčič suggested parliament should vote the proposal down. Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič said the amendments were not finalised yet.
MPs give go-ahead for higher budget spending cap
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly on Thursday in favour of the government's proposal to raise the cap on state budget expenditure for this year by EUR 670 million to nearly EUR 15 billion. The government said the rise was to allow the financing of Covid-19 response measures to continue undisrupted, but the centre-left opposition argued the government had lost a grip on public finances. The amendment to the budgeting framework regulation for the 2020-2022 period was backed by 45 votes in favour and 42 against.
Ban on sale of certain plastic products put into law
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously passed an act prohibiting the sale of certain plastic products, including disposable products, with the aim of reducing the quantity of discarded packaging and, consequently, improving public health. In line with the act, with which a relevant EU directive is being transposed in Slovenian law with some delay, it will be prohibited to sell products from OXO-biodegradable plastics and disposable plastic products in Slovenia.
Parliament votes fracking ban fit for further reading
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly backed a proposal for a ban on hydraulic fracturing in Slovenia, tabled by three centre-left opposition parties, on first reading in what is the fifth attempt to thwart British company Ascent Resources's fracking plans in the north-eastern Prekmurje region. The relevant amendment to the mining act, sponsored by the Left, Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), and Social Democrats (SD), would ban the extraction of hydrocarbons by fracking in Slovenia.
Another attempt to endorse totalitarianism resolution fails
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly failed to muster the majority needed to pass a declaration to support the European Parliament's 2009 resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism. This was the fifth attempt by the ruling Democratic Party (SDS) to endorse the resolution which condemns all totalitarian regimes, with the previous one failing in March 2019. 42 MPs of the coalition parties and the opposition National Party (SNS) voted in favour of the declaration, while 45 centre-left MPs voted against.
Govt adopts bill to facilitate licensing of doctors
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted amendments to the medical services act that facilitate licensing of doctors, transfer the jurisdiction of professional exams to the Medical Chamber and simplify hiring of foreign doctors with regard to Slovenian language skills. Health Minister Janez Poklukar said the changes would improve the functioning and accessibility of the healthcare system, in particular at primary level. Junior doctors not yet assigned speciality are to work for the first three months in family medicine or emergency medicine.
Parliament unanimously passes amendment to healthcare act
LJUBLJANA - The parliament passed on Wednesday evening an opposition amendment to the act on emergency measures in healthcare with 86 votes in favour and none against, introducing financial compensation for the self-employed, partners in companies and farmers in the event of a quarantine order due to Covid-19 or subsequent childcare obligations. The benefit payment is set at EUR 250 for each occurrence of a quarantine order, with a maximum limit of EUR 750 in one month. The amendment will apply retroactively, from 1 July onwards.
Downward trend in Covid infections continues
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged another 2,668 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, a figure down both on daily (3,144) and weekly (3,662) levels, show figures by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). Overall hospital numbers dropped slightly to 1,145, but the number of ICU cases rose to a new record of 286. Eleven patients with Covid-19 died, the government reported. Both the 7-day average of new cases and 14-day incidence per 100,000 population decreased.
Simoniti says Drama renovation to continue, but with lower budget
LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti acknowledged on Wednesday that the renovation of the SNG Drama theatre in Ljubljana will be delayed, which was the reason for the resignation of theatre's director Igor Samobor. Simoniti indicated this was because the ministry wanted to clear up certain issues to make sure the project was transparent. Simoniti dismissed Samobor's claims the ministry did not communicate with the theatre.
Govt proposes changes to Financial Administration, tax procedure
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the Financial Administration act and the tax procedure act as part of efforts to upgrade the tax system. According to the government, the new legislation is to increase the legal safety of taxpayers and cut the red tape. The changes envisage organisational changes within the Tax Administration that should speed up proceedings and increase efficiency. They introduce a panel for deciding on the most complex tax proceedings.
TV Slovenija news journalists protest 2022 production plan
LJUBLJANA - Journalists of the news programme of the television arm of RTV Slovenija protested over the relevant draft programme and production plan for 2022, calling on the programming council of the public broadcaster to reject it on Monday and adjust it so that it "appropriately implements the mission of RTV". The main issue was that news content was being shrunk with some programmes moved from channel 1 to 2. TV Slovenija acting director Valentin Areh rejected the claim, saying the idea was to put the interest of viewers first.
STA among recipients of Watchdog Awards for journalism
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Journalists' Association announced this year's recipients of the Watchdog Awards, as the jury noted that Slovenian journalism had remained responsible, professional and ethical despite a challenging year. The most prestigious Watchdog Award went to Glorija Lorenci, a journalist at the Večer newspaper. One of the Watchdog Awards for outstanding journalistic achievement was awarded to the editorial board of the Slovenian Press Agency.
Govt forms council for open issues with Evangelical Church
LJUBLJANA - The government decided to establish a government council to address open issues with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia. The new body will be in charge of identifying, recording and examining the open issues between the state and what is the largest Protestant church in Slovenia. The council will be led by State Secretary at the prime minister's office Bojan Pograjc, the government said after its session.
Retailer Mercator rebounds from loss on slightly higher sales
LJUBLJANA - Mercator, Slovenia's largest retailer, recovered from last year's deep loss as it posted a net profit of EUR 12.6 million for the first nine months of the year. Sales revenue was up by almost a percent to EUR 1.63 billion, shows the group's earnings report. Operating profit (EBIT) stood at EUR 57.5 million compared to an operating loss of almost EUR 28 million in the same period last year. The company said sales were also up by 2.9% on pre-Covid 2019, on the back of strong sales in its core market in Slovenia, where sales were up by nearly 5% on the same period in 2019.
EU's SET Plan discussed at Bled conference
BLED - A sustainable energy transition, and the role of innovation and investment to enhance it, is in the focus of a two-day conference on the EU's SET Plan which began in a hybrid format in the town of Bled. The event is organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure and the European Commission. The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) is designed to boost the transition towards a climate neutral energy system through the development of low-carbon technologies in a fast and cost-competitive way.
Slovenian Digital Coalition forum starts in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - An open forum of the Slovenian Digital Coalition started in Ljubljana, with the progress of digitalisation in Slovenia and European digital market regulations at the forefront of the debates. Speakers at the forum also stressed the importance of strengthening digital competences. The main points of interest for the coalition are regulation, environment, infrastructure, education and inclusion.
NGOs call for zero tolerance of violence against women
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian non-governmental organisations called for zero tolerance of violence on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. They warn that women still often do not get the help they expect and need, highlighting the importance of cooperation among all political groups and other institutions in this field, and legislation that strives to boost the protection of victims of sexual violence and harassment.
Slovenia gets contact point for encouraging EU values
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia got its national contact point for the EU project Citizens, Equality, Rights & Values (CERV), which will support organisations of the civil society to strengthen the rights and values that are shared by all EU countries promoting pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and gender equality. CERV is a project worth almost EUR 1.5 billion aimed at building open, democratic and inclusive societies based on the rule of law.
Pogačar wins the Velo d'Or
PARIS, France - Slovenian Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar received the 2021 Velo d'Or, a prestigious cycling prize awarded by the French sports publisher l'Equipe. The 23-year-old ended the year at the top of the World Cycling Union (UCI) rankings, having become the 13th rider to defend the Tour de France title. Last year's laureate Primož Roglič came in second.
Mura pull off sensational win against Tottenham
MARIBOR - Slovenia's national football champions Mura made history by delivering a shock 2:1 defeat to Tottenham in the 5th round of the UEFA Europa Conference League to the thrill of roughly 5,500 spectators at the Maribor stadium. The lowest ranked team in this new competition, Mura claimed their first points. The winning goal against the top favourite of Group G was scored in the stoppage time by Amadej Maroša. This was after Harry Kane cancelled out Tomi Horvat's sensational opener.
Combined estimated worth of 100 richest Slovenians record-high
LJUBLJANA - The 100 wealthiest Slovenians are worth a combined EUR 7.1 billion, which is a record amount and almost a quarter or EUR 1.3 billion more than a year ago. There are no changes on the top, with the assets of Iza Sia Login and Samo Login being almost double of that of the second-placed couple of Sandi Češko and Livija Dolanc. The largest increase in the assets of the 100 richest Slovenians since 2008 is a result of higher estimates at stock markets, the newspaper Finance said as it unveiled the ranking.
Importance of health literacy underlined at expert meeting
LJUBLJANA - A national health literacy survey, presented at a health experts meeting, found that 48% of the adult population in Slovenia has limited health literacy. "The survey is the first of its kind in our country and represents one of the steps towards a national strategy to raise health literacy," the Health Ministry said. Meanwhile, the survey also showed the level of digital health literacy among Slovenian students to be quite high, even though half have difficulty assessing the reliability of information.
