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This summary is provided by the STA: 

Signs of plateauing as 3,431 new cases confirmed, ICU cases at new high

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 3,431 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the second day in a row that cases declined compared to the week before. The positivity rate declined slightly as well, to 37.6%. However, the number of Covid-19 patients at intensive care units rose by three to reach a record 215, whereas the overall number was up by 34 to 954. A total of 14 patients with Covid-19 died. The Jožef Stefan Institute said that judging by the positivity rate, "the fourth wave of the epidemic has probably reached its peak".

Minister says new lockdown would cause Slovenia to go bankrupt

NOVO MESTO - A potential new lockdown would cause the state to go bankrupt, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said during a government visit to the south-east Slovenia. He said the Covid crisis was not over yet, so everyone should join forces to find solutions as "there will be no more state aid". The latest Covid restrictions are the last attempt at restricting the medical crisis, he said, adding that he was advocating the introduction of the PC rule, meaning only those who have recovered from Covid or have been vaccinated would get the Covid pass.

Mandatory self-testing for school kids deferred to Wednesday

LJUBLJANA - Primary and secondary school students will start self-testing on school premises on Wednesday, the government decided as it delayed the start by two days. Testing will be carried out three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, and will count as a Covid pass for children. Parents will have to sign consent forms to allow their children to self-test at school. Vaccinated school children and coronavirus convalescents will not be required to self-test.

Only one new Luka Koper board member appointed

KOPER - The supervisory board of the state-owned port operator Luka Koper appointed only one new member of the management board for a five-year term, unanimously confirming Robert Rožac, who currently serves as state secretary at the Environment Ministry, while failing to appointing one additional member of the board and its chairman. The supervisors of the operator of Slovenia's sole maritime port are looking for replacements to chairman Dimitrij Zadel and board members Metod Podkrižnik and Irma Gubanec, who recently resigned. Chief supervisor Franci Matoz after the session that the staffing commission had been given until 19 November to conduct interviews with other candidates, and that it was expected to hold a session on this topic on 24 November.

Vizjak optimistic about outcome of Glasgow conference

GLASGOW, UK - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak told the STA that negotiators at the Glasgow climate conference were making progress on virtually all points. "A solution is in sight. I'm optimistic," he said after the plenary session, adding he expected "some kind of agreement" on Saturday morning at the latest. As the European Commission presented some general statements that accompany such conferences, Vizjak said "there was a lot of optimism at the plenary session that at the end of today, probably during the night or in the first half of Saturday, some kind of agreement will be reached."

Chairman of power utility Elektro Maribor dismissed

MARIBOR - The supervisory board of electricity distributor Elektro Maribor dismissed chairman Boris Sovič, in what is the third major staffing decision in state-owned energy firms in two weeks. The supervisors said Sovič had been dismissed due to delays in the achievement of business goals, inadequate preparation for the green transformation, poor oversight of subsidiaries, and loss of trust. Sovič, an ex-Social Democrat (SD) mayor of Maribor who served as the company's chairman since 2012, rejected all the arguments for his dismissal. The president of the supervisory board, Jože Hebar, will take over as interim chairman.

Minister Vrtovec denies involvement in energy firms' staffing

LJUBLJANA - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec rejected claims he was involved in the ousting of several directors of state-owned energy firms. He told Delo staffing was in the exclusive domain of supervisory boards and Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH), while corporate governance rules precluded direct political influence on staffing. He acknowledged there had been expectations from some that he would intervene. "I do not consent to this practice, I reject it, it's alien to me."

EU ministers express support for combatting sexual abuse of children

BRDO PRI KRANJU - The EU home affairs ministers hosted by Slovenia's Aleš Hojs at a virtual conference expressed in a joint statement their political support for finding appropriate tools for discovering and investigating sexual abuse of children. "We stressed the importance of preventive action and raising awareness, but we also expressed our political support to finding appropriate tools for discovering and investigating sexual abuse of children," Hojs said.

Slovenia receives EU formal notice regarding fight against terrorism rules

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission decided to open infringement proceedings against Slovenia to ensure correct transposition of EU rules on combating terrorism. The country has now two months to respond to the formal notice from Brussels, or else faces receiving a reasoned opinion, the next stage in the infringement procedure. The other member states that have received the same latter of formal notice on Friday are Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Sweden and Slovakia.

Commission to present interim report on political interference in police

LJUBLJANA - The chair of the parliamentary commission investigating suspicion of political interference in police, Rudi Medved from the opposition Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), said after the session held a session that it would send an intermediary report to the National Assembly confirming the suspicion of political pressure on police. The announement comes after the commission interviewed the former head of criminal police, Boštjan Lindav, who said he had been replaced based on a political order.

Pahor labels UNESCO as pioneer in solving world's problems

PARIS, France - President Borut Pahor attended a high-level meeting marking the 75th anniversary of UNESCO and held talks with the organisation's director general Audrey Azoulay. He said in his address that UNESCO had a pioneering role in searching for solutions to the world's most pressing problems and challenges. "UNESCO was born out of a realisation that political and economic cooperation is not enough for achieving a lasting peace and that people need to be brought together through dialogue among cultures, and cooperation in science and education," he said.

Biologist honoured for campaigning against hydro power stations

MUNICH, Germany - Slovenian biologist and environmental activist Andreja Slameršek has received this year's Wolfgang Staab Prize for Nature Conservation, which is given out by the German Schweisfurth Foundation. She was honoured for helping to stop several planned power stations that would destroy unique ecosystems along the rivers Mura and Sava. She received the EUR 20,000 prize, conferred annually for achievements in sustainable development of river and flood areas, on Thursday.

Voice of the People initiative starts election campaign

LJUBLJANA - A network of civil society and non-governmental organisations that is forming the Voice of the People initiative started its election campaign at the anti-government protest, presenting ten out of its hundred demands with which it plans to confront political parties ahead of the general election. The initiative aims to "shape the political agenda for our common future from the bottom up" and will demand answers to questions such as whether the consequences of the "harmful legislation adopted in the past year" would be done away with.

Slovenia draw with Slovakia in World Cup qualifier

TRNAVA, Slovakia - Slovenia played 2:2 against Slovakia in the penultimate qualifying game for the World Cup on Thursday evening, a solid performance given that several key players were missing from the team and Miha Blažič was sent off after the second yellow card in the 57th minute. Slovenia players were happy with the team's performance, which Josip Iličić described as a show of character.

Illegal Iranian migrant hit by train near Kozina

KOZINA - A 31-year-old Iranian citizen who had entered Slovenia illegally was hit by a train travelling on the Kozina-Prešnica route near the village of Brgod in south-western Slovenia on Thursday evening. According to the police, the Iranian was standing on the tracks. The train driver noticed him and started honking and braking immediately, but the collision was unavoidable, with the man being hit by the right step of the locomotive. The man was taken to the Izola hospital with serious injuries.

STA, 12 November 2021 - Primary and secondary school students will start self-testing on school premises on Wednesday, the government decided on Thursday as it delayed the 15 November start by two days. Testing will be carried out three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, and will count as a Covid pass for children.

The decree the government changed last evening also says that parents will have to sign a consent to allow their children to self-test at school.

Vaccinated school children and coronavirus convalescents will not be required to self-test.

The children whose parents will opt against at-school self-testing will switch to remote learning, under a decision taken by the education minister.

However, these parents are not entitled to compensation for wages if they take days off from work to stay home with their children.

The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs explained that parents deciding not to allow children to be self-tested is not an external or unexpected event beyond their control as defined in the law on on healthcare emergency measures.

"If a parent wants to stay at home with the child, they will have to make other arrangements with the employer," the ministry added.

By self-testing at school, children will meet the PCT (reconvalescent-vaccinated-tested) rule, which is also required for extra-curricular activities, the decree says.

At-school self-testing will be carried out under the supervision of a person assigned by the head teachers.

Special needs children will also have to self-test, albeit at home.

STA, 12 November 2021 - Slovenia confirmed 3,431 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the second day in a row that cases declined compared to the week before. The positivity rate declined slightly as well, to 37.6%. However, hospital figures continued to rise, and the number of ICU patients is higher than at any time during the pandemic.

The number of Covid-19 patients at intensive care units rose by three to reach 215, whereas the overall number was up by 34 to 954. A total of 14 patients with Covid-19 died.

The latest data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) show the 14-day case notification rate per 100,000 population at 1,938, up by 44 from yesterday. The seven-day average of daily cases stands at 3,140, down by 44.

The Jožef Stefan Institute meanwhile says that judging by the positivity rate, "the fourth wave of the epidemic has probably reached its peak".

The number of Covid patients in intensive care is expected to peak in the last week of November at more than 250, the research centre says on its website, adding that the 300 figure will probably not be surpassed.

"It is now key to consistently observe the reconvalescent-vaccinated-tested (PCT) rule and all the other measures so that the epidemic curve does not start rising again."

The institute has calculated that infections are currently spreading at the reproduction rate of about 1, meaning one infected person infects approximately one person.

All the latest data and charts on covid and Slovenia

STA, 11 November - Prime Minister Janez Janša dismissed the opposition's allegations about government misconduct during the course of the coronavirus pandemic, telling a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday that its decisions were based on opinions by experts.

Opposition MPs quizzed Janša about multiple aspects of government actions, ranging from the decision to roll out mass rapid testing, to the purchase of vaccines and the rationale behind measures that some MPs said had been put in place overnight without giving people adequate time to prepare.

He said mass rapid testing has been rolled out based on the advice of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), the Health Ministry and the ministry's Covid-19 expert group.

Asked whether he had known about rapid antigen tests being unreliable, which is supposedly evident from minutes of meetings of the Covid-19 expert group, Janša said it was general knowledge that rapid tests are more unreliable, which is why all positives are double-checked with PCR tests.

There was a scandal early on involving the supply of rapid tests by Majbert Pharm, some of whose owners had ties to Janša's Democrats (SDS) in the past and had bragged on social media what a "killer deal" they had signed with the state.

Questions have been raised about how their tests were verified, including by a doctor who used to work at the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food and recently came out with accusations that the process was not up to standard.

"I did not write the criteria, the competent services did," said Janša, who also denied having personally decided that the Majbert Pharm tests would be verified at that specific lab.

Janša did acknowledge that there may have been abuses in hazard pay received by public sector employees, but he said the heads of institutions were in charge of determining the bonuses and they were responsible for their actions. Abuses that have been detected have already been sanctioned, he said.

One opposition MP alleged that Slovenia had initially opted to prioritise the AstraZeneca vaccine because it was cheaper than the jab produced by Pfizer, but Janša said this was not the whole story.

"It was not just because this vaccine is significantly cheaper, it was also because it seemed at the time that this would be the first vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)."

Then, when he provisionally took over as health minister after the resignation of Tomaž Gantar, he learnt that the EMA would probably approve the Pfizer vaccine first.

"The same day I ordered the ministry to change the strategy and that Slovenia should order all vaccines available, regardless of the price."

As for allegations that the government is taking measures overnight, Janša said experts were always consulted, and sometimes decisions were not adopted the same week even when experts proposed that they should be.

This was Janša's second testimony in front of the commission. Chair Robert Pavšič said he would be invited to testify again.

STA, 11 November 2021 - All passengers over the age of 12 will have to produce proof of vaccination, reconvalescence or testing on entry to Slovenia as of 15 November, the government decided on Thursday. The age limit has been 15 so far and the change brings it in line with the overall Covid pass mandate requirements in the country.

The government decree also specifies that self-testing is not sufficient proof to enter Slovenia. Passengers will need an official rapid test done no more than 48 hours before entry, or a PCR test done within 72 hours before entry.

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: 

Minister Vizjak no longer enjoys support from NSi

LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Matej Tonin announced on Wednesday that Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak can no longer count on the support of his party New Slovenia (NSi) following the statements he made in a leaked conversation with a spa company boss 14 years ago. Appearing on new shows on the commercial POP TV station and the public broadcaster TV Slovenija, the NSi leader suggested it would be best if Vizjak resigned himself. Vizjak today insisted on his intention to "deny all the allegations against him in a detailed and argument-based response to the motion of no confidence".

Energy CEO claims decarbonisation plan reason for his ousting

LJUBLJANA - Robert Golob, the long-serving CEO of the indirectly state-owned electricity retailer Gen-I, said the reason he failed to get endorsed for another term was that the "politics" turned down a decarbonisation plan drawn up by Gen-I and other players. The plan is feasible. We can decarbonise the whole energy industry by 2035 and that's the scenario we have drawn up," but which he said was rejected by politics. He quoted former army brigadier Tone Krkovič, now an employee with GEN-I, who he said disclosed that Rok Snežić, a tax advisor with ties to the ruling SDS, had clearly indicated that Golob would soon be "removed".

Students who do not obey new Covid rules will study from home

LJUBLJANA - Students who refuse to wear masks or self-test will study from home under new rules that will enter into force on 15 November, Education Ministry State Secretary Damir Orehovec said after schools expressed concern over the lack of a legal basis for action against those who violate rules. Forthcoming stricter measures for primary and secondary schools under which all students need to be tested three times a week on school premises was met with concern from school leaderships over how schools should react in case of opposition from students or parents. A civil initiative has announced a school boycott for Monday.

Passengers over 12 will need Covid pass to cross into Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - All passengers over the age of 12 will have to produce proof of vaccination, reconvalescence or testing on entry to Slovenia as of 15 November, the government decided. The age limit has been 15 so far and the change brings it in line with the overall Covid pass mandate requirements in the country. The government decree also specifies that self-testing is not sufficient proof to enter Slovenia.

Slovenia adds 3,568 more cases to its coronavirus total

LJUBLJANA - The number of confirmed active coronavirus cases in Slovenia has increased to almost 40,000 after 3,568 more cases were confirmed on Wednesday. Data released by the government show 920 Covid-19 patients being treated in hospitals this morning, 31 more than yesterday, as ICU cases rose by 21 to 212 after ten more Covid patients lost their lives yesterday. The seven-day case count average dropped by 134 from the day before to 3,188, but the 14-day incidence per 100,000 rose by 45 to 1,894.

Pahor urges people to encourage each other to get vaccinated

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor called on Slovenians to encourage each other to get vaccinated so as to prevent lives from being put at risk due to Covid-19 at a time when there are safe and effective vaccines available. In a special video message, Pahor noted that it seemed that at the end of September people suddenly stopped to get vaccinated due to certain circumstances. "We must not stop now and give up. Now is the time to join forces," he said, adding that "our joint goal is immunisation".

Janša dismisses allegations of govt misconduct during pandemic

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša dismissed the opposition's allegations about government misconduct during the course of the coronavirus pandemic, telling a parliamentary inquiry that its decisions were based on opinions by experts. Opposition MPs quizzed Janša about multiple aspects of government actions, ranging from the decision to roll out mass rapid testing, to the purchase of vaccines and the rationale behind measures that some MPs said had been put in place overnight without giving people adequate time to prepare.

NLB bank nearly doubles Jan-Sep net profit

LJUBLJANA - NLB bank reported net profit almost doubling to EUR 205.5 million in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the year before. Net operating income rose by 30% to EUR 500 million on the back of a 32% growth in net interest income to EUR 224.5 million, largely due to the acquisition of Komercialna Banka in Serbia. CEO Blaž Brodnjak said the results enabled the bank to "to search for new growth opportunities" in the bank's home region in SE Europe, including potential mergers and acquisitions.

XLAB becomes Delo's business star

LJUBLJANA - XLAB, a company providing remote desktop access and solutions for IT-automation and digital transformation, has won the Delo Business Star award, which media publisher Delo has given out for the fifth year running. The jury praised it for its good reputation in the IT industry and its ability to market products on foreign markets. The company generates abroad almost 90% of revenue, which last year increased by 40% to EUR 10.5 million, while its net profit reached EUR 2.7 million.

Brussels upgrades Slovenia's GDP growth forecast to 6.4%

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commissions projected in its autumn economic forecast that Slovenia's GDP will expand by 6.4% in 2021, a 0.7-point upgrade from its July forecast. In 2022, the country's GDP is to grow at 4.2%, a downgrade of 0.8 points. The 6.4% figure for this year is considerably higher than the 5% average forecast for the EU and eurozone. The forecast for next year is meanwhile closer to the EU and eurozone average of 4.3%. For 2023, the Commission forecasts that Slovenia's GDP will expand at 3.5%, which is 1.1 points above the eurozone forecast. On the other hand, the Commission warns about inflation in Slovenia.

Slovenia avoids having to repay EU funds for Maribor airport

MARIBOR - Slovenia has avoided the risk of having to pay back over EUR 10 million in EU funds for the renovation of Maribor airport infrastructure, where a completely new passenger terminal was opened in 2012, as the airport has remained operational, albeit on a very low scale. The Infrastructure Ministry said that, despite the minimum scale of air traffic, the airport's operation has been preserved and the country has thus avoided having to return EUR 10.54 million in EU funds. However, no sign of a revival in business is yet in sight and the airport's future remains uncertain.

Offices for bilingualism to open in Pomurje and Primorska

LENDAVA/KOPER - Two offices for bilingualism, in Pomurje in north-east and Primorska in south-west, will soon be established at the initiative of organisations and MPs representing the Hungarian and Italian minorities. Funding will be provided by the government with the help of the Government Office for National Minorities. The offices are "yet another step towards implementation of an agreement reached between the government and the two minority MPs regarding the use of Hungarian and Italian languages in the bilingual areas," said minority MP Ferenc Horvath.

22nd Pixxelpoint focuses on phenomenon of forest

NOVA GORICA - The 22nd Pixxelpoint international festival of new media art is getting under way in Nova Goricay, offering a glimpse at projects at the crossroads of art, science and modern technologies. Running under the headline Deep Deep Forest until 18 November, the festival has invited eleven artists or artistic groups to explore the phenomenon of forest. The organiser, the Nova Gorica Culture Centre, has announced that the artists come mostly from Slovenia, but also from Russia, Ukraine and South Korea.

Triptych by three foreign choreographers to open in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - A ballet triptych in which Albanian, Italian and Serb choreographers offer their innovative takes on music for strings by Alban Berg, Bela Bartok and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will open at Ljubljana National Opera and Ballet Company today. The Strings is a production choreographed by Eno Peci, Jacopo Godani and Leo Mujić at the invitation of Renato Zanella, the artistic director of ballet at the Ljubljana company. The choreographies are based on fresh and innovative approaches and are "a reflection of our time that instils confidence into the power of art," the ballet company said.

Priest defrocked over sexual abuse of girl

MARIBOR - A priest from the archdiocese of Maribor has been deprived of priesthood after a Vatican church court found him guilty of sexual abuse of an underage person, the archdiocese says on its website. Anton Kmet lost all rights stemming from priesthood in June, and the measure was confirmed by the congregation for the doctrine of the faith in October. The priest was then informed that the procedure was completed on 22 October, "on which day all rights stemming from being ordained priest ceased".

STA, 11 November 2021 - A priest from the archdiocese of Maribor has been deprived of priesthood after a Vatican church court has found him guilty of sexual abuse of an underage person, the archdiocese says on its website.

Anton Kmet lost all rights stemming from priesthood in June, and the measure was confirmed by the congregation for the doctrine of the faith in October.

The priest was then informed that the procedure was completed on 22 October, "on which day all rights stemming from being ordained priest ceased".

According to media reports, Kmet last served as priest in Makole and also worked in the parish of Studenice, but was dismissed from both jobs in 2019 when an investigation at the church court started.

Janez Lesnika from the archdiocese told newspaper Večer at the time that Kmet was suspected of criminal acts committed while serving as chaplain in Ljutomer in 1998-2001.

Tabloid Slovenske Novice reported he had sexually harassed an underage girl during a trip to the coast, an allegation Koper criminal police opened an investigation into.

However, Lesnika could not tell the STA today whether Kmet had been defrocked because of this criminal act, explaining the procedure before the church court was not open.

The media have also reported that Kmet was sentenced to ten months in prison in 2010 for groping two girls, and served the sentence.

STA, 10 November 2021 - Some 35,000 health and social care employees will benefit from a pay rise under an agreement initialled on Wednesday by two trade unions representing the staff and the government. Hospital nurses can expect the highest rise, of three to six wage brackets. 

Valued at nearly EUR 123 million, the deal brings higher wages to more than 80% of the employees in healthcare, 80% of employees in social care and 40% of support employees in those two activities, or a total of 200 different jobs.

The agreement was initialled on Wednesday by Health Minister Janez Poklukar and Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj, and the heads of the two trade unions, who said negotiations would continue to tackle other issues.

The rises, unofficially ranging from 4% to 25%, will become effective after the respective collective bargaining agreements are signed, which is expected to happen by the end of the week.

"Today, we are a step closer to the goal of a fairer remuneration of work performed by employees in healthcare. We'll resume talks to attain fair pay and decent work conditions for other jobs," said Slavica Mencingar, the head of the union of nursing staff in healthcare.

Irena Ilešič Čujovič, the head of the union of health and social care employees, said the pay deal would have to be followed up by adoption of work standards and norms, which they expect to happen by the end of the year.

The percentage of the pay rise will depend on the job, with the highest increase of between three to six brackets to benefit hospital nurses, in particular those working in intensive care units.

In social care, wages will be raised by four brackets. The rises will mainly benefit nursing staff at care homes, as well as staff in day centres, social services and home care.

Labour Ministry State Secretary Mateja Ribič was quoted by Radio Slovenija as saying that each bracket represented 4%, and that the staff who will have their pay raised by four brackets can count on about 20% higher pay.

According to Ilešič Čujovič, higher wages will also benefit psychologists, social workers and administrative staff in healthcare.

"We have at least started changing valuation of jobs in Group J to address cleaning, kitchen, laundry staff, receptionists and maintenance workers as indispensable links," the trade unionist said, adding that talks would resume in January.

Both her and Mencingar thanked Health Minister Poklukar for his commitment to talks, while Poklukar said the deal was but the beginning of normalisation of staffing situation in health and social care.

The goal is not only to prevent staff from leaving but also to boost staffing. However, Poklukar said the staffing crisis that had been deepening for years could not be fixed overnight.

The Labour Ministry has valued the financial impact of the agreed rises in social care at EUR 37 million, of which EUR 4 million is to be secured in the state budget and the public health insurer ZZZS is chip in EUR 17.4 million.

The difference is the amount that will affect prices of institutional care. Due to higher labour costs, these will increase by 5.6% on average, the ministry told the STA.

Meanwhile, the financial impact of the deal for healthcare is estimated at EUR 85.95 million, which is to be fully covered from the Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS).

STA, 10 November 2021 - The Slovenian Association of Journalists (Društvo novinarjev Slovenije - DNS) has come out in defence of fellow journalists with the news portal Necenzurirano.si who are facing increasing pressure from a tax advisor.

Rok Snežič has brought 39 defamation suits against three journalists of the outlet over their articles about his business dealings and his role in a loan taken out by the Prime Minister Janez Janša's Democratic Party (SDS) in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2017.

The DNS notes that this was the first example in Slovenia of a form of pressure known abroad as Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), actions designed to silence criticism and dissent.

However, Snežič, who Necenzurirano claims has close ties with Janša, has now stepped up his pressure, reporting the journalists to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Financial Administration.

"He alleges they conduct their business unlawfully, are supposedly funded with money of suspicious origin, get paid in cash and other irregularities which the journalists say are false accusations and fabrications with no basis in facts," the DNS said.

The association does not wish to deny those who are hurt by journalists' articles their legitimate right to defend their good name, but it believes the latest "is only a new, graver form of pressure".

The association believes that Snežič has ties to the police as well as to the Financial Administration in what they see as "potential abuse of repressive institutions with the intention to silence journalists".

"Such manoeuvres are frequent in European countries with authoritarian governments and seek to silence critical journalists by criminalising their work and personalities. The goal of such pressure is to suppress all critical media and other critical voices in society."

The association will notify its international partners and relevant institutions of the matter, arguing that such continued stepping up of pressure on journalists jeopardises media freedom.

The case of the Necenzurirano journalists was also mentioned in the latest annual report by the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists, issued in April.

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This summary is provided by the STA: 

Rok Svetlič elected Constitutional Court judge

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly appointed Rok Svetlič a judge on the Constitutional Court. Svetlič received 46 votes with only 46 MPs picking up their ballots because the centre-left opposition boycotted the vote. The coalition was joined by the SNS, DeSUS and minority MPs in endorsing the candidate. This was the fourth attempt to appoint a replacement for Dunja Jadek Pensa, whose term expired in July 2020 but who has stayed on until her successor was appointed. Svetlič stressed he will do all in his power for every singe person to believe that they have a reliable parter in Slovenian law.

Some 35,000 health and social care staff to get higher pay

LJUBLJANA - Some 35,000 health and social care employees will benefit from a pay rise under an agreement initialled by two trade unions representing the staff and the government. Hospital nurses can expect the highest rise. Valued at nearly EUR 123 million, the deal brings higher wages to more than 80% of the employees in healthcare, 80% of employees in social care and 40% of support employees in those two activities. Health Minister Janez Poklukar said the deal was but the beginning of normalisation of staffing situation in health and social care that would hopefully prevent the outflow of staff.

Over 4,480 new coronavirus infections detected

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 4,481 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday in what is the second highest daily number since the start of the epidemic. The test positivity rate stood at 42.4%. Hospitalisations continued to rise and another 20 Covid-19 patients died, according to government figures. The highest number of daily infections was recorded last Wednesday, 4,515. The number of deaths was the second highest since 2 February.

Report: Prosecution employee arrested over info leak to Kavač Clan

MARIBOR - An employee of the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office has been arrested under suspicion of having leaked confidential information to important members of the Slovenian cell of the Kavač Clan, a notorious Montenegrin crime syndicate. The arrest of the woman, reportedly a secretary, who had access to confidential information about orders for house searches and covert surveillance measures comes as criminal police officers conducted searches at the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.

Slovenia donating 300,000 shots of Moderna vaccine to Covax

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will donate 300,000 shots of the Covid-19 vaccine produced by Moderna to Covax, the global initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines. Africa was designated as the priority region. The vaccines are part of the common EU contract and slated for delivery this year. The government said the donation will have a positive impact in the recipient countries in Africa, and on Slovenia's contribution to global health.

Slovenian Jewish community gets synagogue in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's Jewish community has finally got a place of worship as the Ljubljana Synagogue opened in a residential building in Trubarjeva Street on Tuesday in a joint effort by the Austrian Jewish community from Graz and the Slovenian Jewish community. Yesterday's opening was attended by Ariel Haddad, the rabbi for Slovenia, members of other religious communities in Slovenia, diplomats, including Austrian Ambassador to Slovenia Elisabeth Ellision-Kramer, and Slovenian President Borut Pahor.

Fmr STA director off the hook over contract with Dnevnik

LJUBLJANA - The prosecution has dismissed a report against former STA director Bojan Veselinovič over alleged abuse of office related to a compensation contract with the newspaper publisher Dnevnik, filed by STA supervisory board member Radovan Cerjak. The Specialised State Prosecutor's Office said that suspicion of a criminal act had not been sufficiently argued, and that Veselinovič could not be accused of business disloyalty to the STA either. Veselinovič said he had expected such a decision.

Journalists' Association condemns attempt to criminalise media

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Association of Journalists (DNS) has come out in defence of fellow journalists with the news portal Necenzurirano.si who are facing increasing pressure from a tax advisor. Rok Snežič has brought 39 defamation suits against three journalists of the outlet over their articles about his business dealings and his role in a loan taken out by the Prime Minister Janez Janša's Democratic Party (SDS) in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2017. However, Snežič, who Necenzurirano claims has close ties with Janša, has now stepped up his pressure, reporting the journalists to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Financial Administration.

Upper chamber proposes overturning ban on mayors serving as MPs

LJUBLJANA - Ten years after the adoption of legislative amendments that banned mayors from serving as MPs, the issue has returned to the political agenda after the National Council, the upper chamber of parliament, decided to propose reversing the ban with the argument that the incompatibility of MP and mayoral offices do not have a basis in legislation or the Constitution. The motion will now be put to the National Assembly. The majority of the deputy groups said they opposed reversing the ban.

SDS deputy Ljubo Žnidar resigns

LJUBLJANA - Ljubo Žnidar, an MP for the coalition Democrats (SDS), resigned. The party said he stepped down for personal reasons and decided to continue his professional career in the corporate sector. Žnidar started his term in April last year as a replacement MP. He will be succeeded by Karmen Kozmus Ferjan, a public relations officer at the Finance Ministry.

Krško becomes Slovenia's 12th urban municipality

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly changed the law on the establishment of municipalities to grant Krško the status of urban municipality. The proposal for the status change was filed in September by opposition National Party (SNS) MP Dušan Šiško, who today stressed Krško was the geographic, economic, transport, administrative and cultural centre of Posavje region.

Space and secure connectivity to be a priority for Brussels in 2022

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU co-hosted a virtual conference discussing the secure connectivity initiative, the third pillar of the EU space programme. European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton described space and the initiative as one of the European Commission's priorities in 2022. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek called for a harmonised approach to secure connectivity between EU member states where the European Space Agency is seen as an important partner.

Five innovative digital solutions awarded

LJUBLJANA - Five of the almost 100 companies taking part in the Festival of Solutions were declared the most innovative companies and won a ticket to the Expo Dubai. Optifarm was rewarded for developing an IT system to manage short local food chains, iHELP for an app allowing injured persons to contact those in their vicinity, Qlector for a solution to help manufacturers, VitalIT for a solution to encourage organisations engaged in top IT practices to keep their processes simple and EpiCoro for a solution for easier and better user experiences.

Lumar enters into partnership with solid wood wall producer

MARIBOR/MENGEŠ - The Maribor-based manufacturer of low-energy prefabricated buildings Lumar has entered into a strategic alliance with iQwood, a producer of innovative solid wood walls. Lumar director and co-owner Marko Lukić values the tie-up at EUR 1.5 million, the bulk of which is an equity investment in iQwood. Lukić said the goal was to increase production at the Mengeš-based company and to bring its product to foreign markets. "At the same time, the goal is for Lumar to include the added value of solid wood in its portfolio," he said.

Industrial output up slightly in September

LJUBLJANA - Industrial output in Slovenia in September was up by 0.2% compared to August, although it only increased in manufacturing, while other segments recorded a drop. At the annual level, industrial output in September was up by 7.8%, the Statistics Office said. Industrial output in manufacturing was up by 0.2% at the monthly level, while in electricity, gas and steam supply and in mining and quarrying it was down by 4.2% and 4.1%, respectively.

Two Italians acquitted of bank robbery charges

NOVA GORICA - The Nova Gorica Court acquitted two men from Sicily who had been charged with robbing two banks in Slovenia in August and October 2020 after some of the evidence was thrown out. Giacomo Pappalardi and Mario Piacente were released from detention where they had been since October 2020. The prosecution will appeal. Judge Darinka Kogoj said that Pappalardi, 44, and Piacente, 27, had been proven to have engaged in preparation for the robberies, which is however not a crime.

Gajser third overall in Motocross World Championship

MANTUA, Italy - Slovenian racer Tim Gajser finished the FIM Motocross World Championship season in the elite MXGP class in third place after taking 2nd place in the finale in Italy's Mantua. The defending champion had merely a theoretical chance to win the title today.