Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
This summary is provided by the STA:
Govt adopts strategy to phase out coal for electricity production by 2033
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a national strategy to phase out coal and restructure coal regions in line with the just transition principles. The document envisages that coal used for electricity production will be fully phased out by 2033 at the latest, the Government Communication Office said after the government session. TEŠ and the coal mine operator Premogovnik Velenje responded to the news by saying that the green transformation was a demanding and responsible task, and that they would be actively involved in the process. Environmental NGOs believe Slovenia should phase out coal by 2030.
Tonin says EU shouldn't forget about Bosnia-Herzegovina as it focuses on Ukraine, Mali
BRUSSELS, Belgium/BREST, France - Defence Minister Matej Tonin attended an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in France's Brest, warning that while focussing on Ukraine and Mali, the EU must not forget about the Western Balkans, especially Bosnia-Herzegovina, because Russia had certain interests in the region, which could deteriorate the situation there.
Pension indexation confirmed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed in a unanimous vote amendments to the pension and disability insurance act that provide a tiered indexation of pensions as a means of bridging the gap between pensions and wages caused by austerity measures during the economic and financial crisis. The pensions of those who retired before the end of 2010 will increase by 3.5%, for those who retired in 2011 by 1.7%, and for all the others by 1%.
Changes to procurement of medical devices passed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed changes to public procurement legislation which regulate purchases of medical devices by introducing a system of reference prices. The coalition claims this will result in lower prices, while the opposition warns that more taxpayer money will be channelled into private pockets. Under the new legislation, the reference price will be defined in a public procurement procedure and set by a newly-established government office in charge of central records.
MPs endorse higher language standard for bilingual schools
LJUBLJANA - The parliament passed changes to the legislation that set a higher Italian language standard for staff working in Slovenian-Italian bilingual kindergartens and schools. The amendments to the act on special rights of the Italian and Hungarian minorities in the field of education were endorsed in a 44:33 vote. The changes were tabled by the two MPs representing the minorities, Ferenc Horvath in Felice Žiža, and received support of the coalition.
SSH state asset custodian plans 5% yield this year
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) plans a 5% return on assets in the portfolio under its management for this year, which is slightly less than the estimated return for 2021, shows the annual capital asset management plan for 2022, which was approved by the government today. A slight increase in return is expected in 2023.
Omicron wave keeps spiralling
LJUBLJANA - A total of 6,855 new coronavirus cases were reported in Slovenia for Wednesday, a day after a record of more than 7,400 were confirmed. Hospitalisations continued to decrease, and additional seven people with Covid died, show fresh government data. The estimate of active cases topped 50,000, according to the National Institute of Public Health. The PCR test positivity rate stood at 51%.
Digital minister happy with EU presidency achievements
LJUBLJANA - Mark Boris Andrijanič, the minister for digitalisation transformation, finds Slovenia has attained many successes in his brief during its term at the helm of the EU. He noted in particular the digital services act, the declaration on digital rights and principles and the first ministerial conference of the Three Seas on digital transformation. "Our presidency of the Council of the EU has proved that even a small country can be an effective and successful mediator between all member states," he said.
Maximum wage rise for doctors heading to Constitutional Court
LJUBLJANA - The presidents of Slovenia's five trade union associations have asked the Constitutional Court to have its say on a provision in the latest Covid relief law that raises the pay ceiling in the single public sector wage system only for the benefit of doctors and dentists. They disagree with the government that the maximum wage rise for just one group of public employees has anything to do with emergency measures aimed at tackling the Covid-19 emergency.
Culture minister urged to resign as several culture organisations left without funds
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Social Democrats (SD) have urged Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti to immediately resign after it has become clear that several prominent independent culture producers or artists were left without funds as part of a 2022-2025 call for applications worth EUR 3.8 million. SD MP Marko Koprivc said "some of the most important and most prominent culture workers in Slovenia have been left without funding for the four-year period". Media reports suggest these are choir Carmina Slovenica, alternative musical group Laibach, festival City of Women, theatre company Glej, performing arts producers Zavod Maska, Zavod Emanat and Center Delak, and the Nomad Dance Academy Slovenija.
Protesters present petition against political meddling in RTV
LJUBLJANA - After the latest edition of the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija's show Tarča sparked controversy and criticism, a petition was launched in support of the show, its host Erika Žnidaršič, and media freedom at RTV Slovenija, gathering over 6,000 signatures, which were presented to the RTV's programming council. The critical reactions also prompted an urgent meeting of RTV Slovenija's programming council, which resulted in a demand that RTV's management provides additional material for further discussion.
Basovizza Heroes monument granted cultural significance status
TRIESTE, Italy - A memorial site in Italy's Basovizza dedicated to four Slovenian victims of Fascism executed in September 1930, known as the Basovizza Heroes, has been granted a status of cultural importance by Italian regional authorities, the Trieste-based Primorski Dnevnik reported on Wednesday. By doing this, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region has laid the groundwork for the memorial to become a monument of national importance in Italy in the future. The granting of the status was welcomed by President Borut Pahor and the umbrella organisations of the Slovenian minority in Italy.
Bill to remediate Celje Basin voted down
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Infrastructure Committee voted down on Wednesday a bill sponsored by unaffiliated MP Janja Sluga, a former MP of the ruling coalition, that would see the chemical company Cinkarna Celje pay EUR 16 million and the state EUR 7 million in a decade to remediate the heavily polluted Celje Basin. The bill was backed by all centre-left deputy factions, but the coalition and the government argued a systemic bill was needed to tackle the problem not only in Celje but also elsewhere.
Govt proposes key social protection objectives for 2022-2030
LJUBLJANA - The government has adopted a proposal for a resolution on the national social protection programme 2022-2030, with development of the welfare system, reduction of the risk of poverty and higher social inclusion among the key goals, the government said after Thursday's session. Other key goals include improving the availability and accessibility of services and programmes, and creating the conditions for good functioning of social security organisations.
Govt adopts resolution on national programme for higher education
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a resolution on the 2030 national programme for higher education and will send it into parliamentary procedure. According to the Government Communication Office, this is a key strategic document for forming quality goals, standards, measures and policies in Slovenian higher education. The resolution, which is based on the guidelines adopted by the Government Council for Higher Education in April 2021, aims to raise the quality of higher education, make it more flexible and appealing given the needs of the economy and the society as a whole.
Steklarna Hrastnik honoured by German business
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce has declared Slovenia's glass manufacturer Steklarna Hrastnik the winner of its award for innovation for 2021 at its online event that included addresses by German and Slovenian representatives from politics and business and a round-table discussion on sustainable development. The prize is given out by the chamber together with the German Embassy in Slovenia and WISE Institute.
Toyota Yaris Cross voted Slovenian Car of 2022
LJUBLJANA - Toyota Yaris Cross has been selected the Slovenian Car of 2022 in what is the first time in the 30-year history of the contest that the title went to the Japanese car maker. A total of 15 cars vied for the title with the five finalists picked by the readers, listeners and viewers of nine automotive media and shows. The final selection was made by the journalists and editors of the media involved.
