Vizjak remains environment minister
LJUBLJANA - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak stays on after a motion to oust him failed in parliament in the early morning hours on Saturday. A total of 43 MPs voted for his ousting, three short of the required majority, while 29 were against. The no-confidence vote was backed by its initiators the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Social Democrats (SD), Left, Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) and the deputy group of unaffiliated MPs. MPs from the coalition New Slovenia (NSi), who said before the vote they did not support Vizjak, and the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) abstained, while 29 MPs from the senior coalition Democrats (SDS) and junior coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) backed the minister.
1,286 new coronavirus cases recorded in Slovenia on Friday
LJUBLJANA - A total of 1,286 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Slovenia on Friday, eight more than the day before but 190 fewer than on the same day a week ago. The PCR test positivity rate was at 28.7%, fresh data by the National Institute of Public Health show. Hospitalisations continue to decrease with 703 people still in hospitals today, down 43 from the day before, including 223 in intensive care, down 14 from Friday, the government said on Twitter. Another 19 Covid patients died on Friday.
Jurist thinks access to Constitutional Court should be slightly restricted
LJUBLJANA - Jurist Tone Jerovšek, one of the authors of the Slovenian constitution, believes the constitution is still good and modern even after 30 years. But some amendments would be required, especially regarding access to the Constitutional Court, which he thinks is too wide. During the epidemic in particular it became evident that the current system enables individuals to appeal to the Constitutional Court frequently, while the court is drowning in cases, Jerovšek said.
SSH chairman says state assets managed well this year
LJUBLJANA - State assets were managed well in 2021, chairman of Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) said in an interview with Delo's Saturday supplement. "The return on equity of the portfolio under management will be 1.3 percentage points higher than planned. Based on the current assessment of the companies' performance, it will reach 5.5%," he said.
SPIRIT agency to launch start-up accelerator in Israel
LJUBLJANA - In cooperation with the Slovenian Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Slovenian Entrepreneurship Fund (SPS), the SPIRIT Slovenija agency for the promotion of entrepreneurship and investment will launch in February the first start-up accelerator in Israel, dedicated to Slovenian start-ups. The SPIRIT Slovenija agency announced that six to twelve of the best Slovenian start-ups that submit their applications by 16 January will get the chance to go to Israel.
Association of Journalists and Commentators critical of SAB
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Association of Journalists and Commentators (ZNP) expressed criticism of advertisements published by the opposition Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) on social media. The ZNP thinks the ads "directly and brutally announce a confrontation with numerous media". According to the ZNP, the SAB "counts the days until the election" in the ads "when time will come to persecute 'fake news'" with images suggesting Demokracija, Nova24, Požareport, Moje Podravje, Moj Maribor and other media will be the targets.
Ski jumper Zajc third in Engelberg
ENGELBERG, Switzerland - Slovenian ski jumper Timi Zajc (282.6 points) finished third in a World Cup event in Engelberg, Switzerland. The winner was Germany's Karl Geiger (287.4 points), followed by Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi (286.6 points). Slovenia's Anže Lanišek (265.9 points) was eighth. This is the first podium finish in an individual event for Zajc this winner. The Slovenian ski jumping team featuring Zajc, Cene Prevc, Peter Prevc, and Anže Lanišek finished third in the first World Cup team event this season in Wisla, Poland, on 4 December.
Cross-country skier Lampič third in World Cup in Dresden
DRESDEN, Germany - Slovenian cross-country skier Anamarija Lampič finished third in the women's World Cup sprint event is Davos, Germany. Slovenia's Eva Urevc was sixth. Sweden's Maja Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling won the first and second place, respectively. Team events will be held in Dresden on Sunday, with Lampič and Urevc defending the third place from the previous season.
