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This summary is provided by the STA:
Rapid test enough to confirm infection as of 1 February
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is further restricting the use of PCR tests as of Tuesday with a new testing protocol under which rapid antigen tests will be enough to confirm a coronavirus infection. The certificate of recovery obtained in this way will only be valid in Slovenia for now, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said, indicating likely changes in this area in the future.
Businesses welcome govt energy relief package, but not all
LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has welcomed the government scheme to help businesses cope with rising energy prices, while regretting the step has not been taken sooner. The GZS also said it was not optimistic about energy price trends in global markets. The Chamber of Craft and Small Business (OZS) is less happy about the scheme, finding the measures discriminate against its members.
Controversial changes to penal code removed from parliament's agenda
LJUBLJANA - The much criticised amendments to the penal code that could result in white-collar crimes becoming statute-barred relatively quickly have been removed from the agenda of the January plenary session of the National Assembly at the request of four centre-left opposition parties and the group of unaffiliated MPs. The proposal was backed with 46 votes while 31 MPs voted against.
Janša finds not everyone happy about good economic trends
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša expressed disappointment in parliament that some should be unhappy about the good economic results posted by Slovenia, urging the opposition to compete in who does better rather than doubt about incontrovertible facts. Asked to comment on Slovenia's performance, including in view of the Economist ranking the country second among 23 select OECD countries in terms how well it has coped with the economic aspects of the pandemic, he said that the "OECD comprises the most advanced countries in the world. Our impressions may vary but numbers are objective".
Epidemiological curve still on the rise
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases was still up in weekly comparison on Sunday, as 8,575 new infections were detected. Health Minister Janez Poklukar announced that from today more detailed data on hospitalisations would be released to distinguish between patients who have been hospitalised because of Covid and those who are in hospital due to other illnesses but have also caught Covid.
PM and chief prosecutor clash over letter sent to Brussels
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša told the National Assembly on Monday that State Prosecutor General Drago Šketa had allegedly sent a letter to Brussels demanding that Slovenia should be asked to meet certain conditions in order to be paid out EU funds, which he labelled as bordering on a coup. Šketa rejected the allegation, saying that he did not propose any action against Slovenia to European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi or to anyone else either in writing or orally.
Pahor due in Vatican on Sunday for official visit
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor will visit the Vatican on 6 and 7 February at the invitation of Pope Francis to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Slovenia and the Holy See. Announcing the visit, the president's office said it would provide an opportunity for an exchange of views on relevant issues of current and future times. This will be Pahor's third meeting with Pope Francis. He is also due to meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, among others.
Companies positive about access to financial sources in 2021
LJUBLJANA - Companies report that access to most sources of finance improved last year, shows the latest survey by Banka Slovenije, conducted among 1,182 companies, which also notes that access to financial resources remains one of the least problematic constraints on business operations. Around 45% of companies cited limited access to qualified staff or experienced managers as the most problematic factor.
Opposition welcomes energy aid package, but says comes too late
LJUBLJANA - The centre-left opposition was unanimous in saying the government's measures to mitigate energy-price hikes were welcome, but also that they came several months too late and left out several groups of population, as it has commented on a set of measures worth around EUR 200 million adopted for households and companies. Soniboj Knežak of the Social Democrats (SD) noted that pensioner with pensions below EUR 1,000 were included, while over 10,000 workers who receive a lower monthly pay were not.
Universities find Research Agency appointment procedure unsuitable
LJUBLJANA - The universities of Ljubljana, Maribor and Nova Gorica criticised the government over the replacement of the management board of the Slovenian Research Agency. They hope the appointment of a new acting director at the weekend will not negatively affect the agency's independent work. The responsible minister has denied the charge.
Group of academics calls for restoring democracy in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - A group uniting civil initiatives and liberal academics has issued a call for unity and restoring of democracy in Slovenia ahead of the general election. The Alliance for Democratic and Just Slovenia has urged left-leaning parties in particular to forge alliances before the election and called on citizens to go to the polls.
Banks warn about harmful consequences of Swiss franc loan bill
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian banks came out strongly against a bill the upper chamber of parliament has tabled to help several thousand borrowers who took out loans in Swiss francs at low interest rates while their monthly instalments skyrocketed when the Swiss central bank stopped protecting the value of the currency. "A petition is being prepared for constitutional challenge of the bill, including a proposal to stay it, because the bill is unimplementable," Anita Stojčevska of SKB Banka told the press.
NGOs critical of planned subsidies for industrial energy consumers
LJUBLJANA - Responding the government's recent decision to subsidise large companies due to rising energy prices, environmental NGOs Umanotera and Focus said that the planned subsidies for selected large industrial consumers of energy are socially inequitable and "make a mockery of climate efforts". These same companies already enjoy a number of discounts and refunds on energy purchases amounting to tens of millions of euros a year, the NGOs noted.
Number of unexploded ordnance items found in 2021 up by 20%
LJUBLJANA - The Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief performed 654 interventions related to unexploded ordnance items in Slovenia last year, which means almost two per day and 30% more than last year. A total of 4,271 unexploded ordnance items were found in 2021, up by 20% on the previous year. The increase in terms of total mass was even greater, with 13,363 kilograms of bombs removed, a 70% increase compared to 2020, Igor Boh of the administration's bomb disposal unit said.
Farmers warn of damage caused by wildlife
LJUBLJANA - Farmers have been pointing out the serious damage caused by wild animals, as the Slovenian Forest Service estimates that it amounts to between EUR 400,000 and EUR 800,000 per year. The most affected region is Pomurje in the north-east, and the damage is most often caused by wild boars and deer.
Tina Vrščaj wins Blue Bird prize for novel for adults
LJUBLJANA - The Blue Bird Prize for the best novel for adults that has not yet been published goes to Tina Vrščaj for Na Klancu, which will be published by Cankarjeva Založba this year. Vrščaj's novel, a story about family and love written in "numerous, more or less clear scenes" and "foremost in dynamic dialogues", was picked as the best among 60 texts. The author will receive EUR 10,000.
