News

02 Nov 2021, 11:09 AM

Eat, Drink, Cook & Enjoy November Gourmet Ljubljana 2021

For a long time now things have been bad, and strange at best, for travel, tourism and hospitality in Slovenia and beyond. Back before the masks there were big plans for 2021, with the country set to enjoy the spotlight of the title European Region of Gastronomy for the year, along with the wider attention that goes along the 6^th month presidency of the EU Council. But we do at least seem closer to the end than the beginning, and fun times without restrictions could be back again, with impromptu trips, visits and activities a natural part of life as the rules fall away or are simply ignored.

Photo: JL Flanner

Which is a roundabout way of saying we don’t want to jinx things by saying Ljubljana’s baaaack or get all overheated, just that the good folk at Ljubljana Tourism are back with another “November Gourmet Ljubljana”, bringing more life to a traditionally quiet time of year and easing the city into the month-long, annual attraction that’s December. The project is a joint campaign of hospitality service providers, hotels, food producers, wine makers, brewers, distillers and public institutions.

As yet there’s no English program (that may come here), but the Slovene one works reasonably well with Google Translate and can be found here.

So there’s a full month of activities and events, from the simple turn up and enjoy good food and drink to the more hands-on workshops. Together the varied program presents not only Ljubljana as the natural showcase for the best of all the varied regions of Slovenia have to offer, but also the more local delights specific to the city and it’s surroundings, as well as it’s role as a hub, attractor and connector with the broader region, with guests from around Europe.

Some of the speakers - see the details here

There are seminars and workshops, tasting events, themed meals and five-day cooking courses. There’s a series on meat and a class on confectionary, how make mini sweets and sweet snacks. There are also gin, beer and wine events, with the focus of the latter being Martinovanje on 13 November, the national coming out party for new wines and a great way to spend a day buzzed, culturally enriched and fortified by nibbles and sips in the company of others. See it all and make plans at the website..

Martinovanje some years ago

Rounding out the first week is the latest edition of the European Food Symposium. Originally scheduled for March but postponed for obvious reasons, it’s being held from 6-8 November and will bring an international collection of speakers and practitioners to the city. There’s a lot going on, including a Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl and Adventure Dinner. You can learn about the symposium and its exclusive events at the official website.

Luka Košir in the kitchen, making the dish at the top of this story. Photo: Marko Delbello Ocepek

Whether your interest in food and drink is limited to grabbing a sandwich while sipping a beer or talking to a grocer about the terroir of their carrots, you’ll find something to make you happy during the month of delights that starts today. What’s more, your venue for such pleasures will be the always charming, easy to navigate and difficult to spend a fortune in Ljubljana.

02 Nov 2021, 04:25 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday, 2 November 2021

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:

Janša urges realistic approach to implementing climate goals

GLASGOW, UK - PM Janez Janša highlighted the need to create a realistic path to implement the goals from the Paris climate agreement as he addressed the World Leaders Summit, a high-level political event held in Glasgow as part of the ongoing COP26 climate conference. Moving away from coal and oil is a key element in reaching the set goals, and nuclear energy could replace fossil fuels as a transition source of energy, Janša said, as quoted by his office. He said it was urgent to act to limit climate warning, urging all countries to contribute their share. "It is high time to create a realistic path to the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal," he said.

Covid infections keep rising, positivity rate hits nearly 50%

LJUBLJANA - A total of 1,257 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Slovenia on Sunday, up from 707 the previous Sunday, with the positivity rate reaching a record of almost 48%, show the latest figures released by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). Eleven Covid patients died. There are now 603 Covid patients in hospitals, up 31 from Sunday, which is the first time since 2 May that the number of hospitalisations surpassed 600. 142 are in intensive care, up 4 from yesterday.

Regular testing starts in hospitals, social care institutions

LJUBLJANA - As the epidemiological situation is deteriorating further, regular coronavirus testing was introduced in all hospitals and social care institutions today while employees in all sectors who are not vaccinated or reconvalescent will need to be tested more frequently, every 48 hours. Voluntary self-testing for primary and secondary school pupils and university students is intensified from once to twice a week. It is now recommended for all school children, including those in the first six years of primary schools, who have so far been exempt from the rule.

Fundraising campaign for STA relaunched

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Journalist Association (DNS) relaunched a fundraising campaign to secure funds for the STA, which has not received any budget fundinf for its public service since the start of the year. As part of the "Za obSTAnek" campaign (For STAsurvival), EUR 5 can be donated via SMS donations, while larger donations can be transferred onto a special DNS bank account. The DNS first launched such a campaign on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, raising EUR 275,000 in a month.

Cigarettes more expensive

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian tobacco prices rose under the changes to excise taxes the government confirmed in September. A pack of 20 cigarettes is now 10 cents, or around 2.5%, more expensive. The second round of tobacco excise duty rises will follow in April next year. Once both rises are implemented, the retail price of cigarettes will be by an average 4.6% more expensive, bringing EUR 15.6 million annually to the national budget.

Dead commemorated around the country

LJUBLJANA - Slovenians marked the Day of Remembrance of the Death, or All Saints' Day, by visiting graves to pay respects to the dead. Officials meanwhile laid wreaths at memorials to the victims of wars and war-related violence. President Borut Pahor and a delegation of senior state officials laid a wreath at the memorial to all victims of war and war-related violence at the main state commemoration in Congress Square in Ljubljana. Speaker Igor Zorčič then laid wreaths at several memorials at Žale cemetery in Ljubljana.

Minister Jaklitsch visits Slovenians in Udine area

CIVIDALE, Italy - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch visited the Slovenian ethnic minority in the area of Udine (Videm) in Italy's region Friuli-Venezia Giulia on Sunday, ahead of the Day of Remembrance of the Dead, or All Saints' Day. On behalf of Slovenia, she laid wreaths at two memorials, and visited the grave of Slovenian patriot and culture worker Viljem Černo (1937-2017), while also meeting Resia Mayor Anna Micelli.

Trucks banned from overtaking on all Slovenian motorways

LJUBLJANA - Heavy trucks are banned from overtaking on the Slovenian motorways as of today after the ban kicked in on the A1 motorway, that is between Šentilj (NE) and Koper (SW), on 15 January. A violation carries a fine of 300 euro. The ban for trucks heavier than 7.5 tonnes on the Šentilj-Koper motorway has produced good results, improving traffic flow, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said on Twitter as he announced the new measure.

01 Nov 2021, 19:28 PM

COP26: Janša Calls for Realism in Climate Goals

STA, 1 November 2021 - Prime Minister Janez Janša highlighted the need to create a realistic path to implement the goals from the Paris climate agreement as he addressed the World Leaders Summit, a high-level political event held in Glasgow as part of the ongoing COP26 climate conference.

Moving away from coal and oil is a key element in reaching the set goals, and nuclear energy could replace fossil fuels as a transition source of energy, Janša said.

He stressed it was urgent to act to limit climate warning. "It is high time to create a realistic path to the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal," he was quoted by his office.

As the presiding EU country, Slovenia makes efforts towards this goal, yet the EU, contributing just 8% of global CO2 emissions, cannot solve the problem on its own.

He thus urged all countries to produce their offers saying that "everyone must take their share of responsibility to ensure that our common efforts are effective".

"Our goal is to reduce emissions by 55% until 2030 and we are making efforts to modernise our climate and energy legislation," Janša said.

However, he stressed that the common measures are by far not enough to reach the goals set at the Paris climate conference in 2015.

"By the UN's estimate, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 will be by 16% higher than it was in 2010."

Janša also said he understood hesitation, so he stressed that "our efforts must not endanger social cohesion and economic development".

He believes that "technological and political innovations will enable finding new ways to implement all the three set goals".

He said more investment in new technologies is needed to develop cleaner, safer and more efficient energy, such as energy from hydrogen or fusion.

Slovenia remains firmly committed to reach the common goals with a realistic approach. "We have adopted a long-term strategy which sets the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and the path to it."

Janša moreover urged all countries to contribute to the best of their abilities, and concluded by saying: "Let's make sure that this summit is a success."

On the sidelines of the two-day world leaders summit, Janša held several bilateral meetings, including with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

He also met Indian PM Narendra Modi, European Council President Charles Michel, Czech PM Andrej Babiš, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, Maltese PM Robert Abela, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, among others.

The prime minister, who will end his visit to Glasgow on Tuesday, is also scheduled to meet some other world leaders, and IAEA boss Rafael Mariano Grossi.

01 Nov 2021, 19:24 PM

Heavy Trucks Now Banned from Overtaking on All Slovenian Motorways

STA, 1 November 2021 - Heavy trucks are banned from overtaking on the Slovenian motorways as of today after the ban kicked in on the A1 motorway, that is between Šentilj (NE) and Koper (SW), on 15 January. A violation carries a fine of 300 euro.

The ban for trucks heavier than 7.5 tonnes on the Šentilj-Koper motorway has produced good results, improving traffic flow, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said on Twitter as he announced the new measure.

The government and national motorway company DARS thus agreed to expand it to the entire motorway network, the minister explained.

The ban on the A1 motorway was imposed for the period between 6am and 6pm, while heavy trucks were still allowed to overtake at night, as well as at sections with three traffic lanes.

Even before that, trucks were not allowed to overtake during the morning and afternoon rush hours on certain sections of A1.

Overtaking for trucks is meanwhile completely forbidden in tunnels and motorway junctions, and also on some ring roads in urban areas.

01 Nov 2021, 04:47 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Monday, 1 November 2021

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:

Slovenia celebrates Reformation Day

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia celebrated Reformation Day on Sunday, a public holiday that marks more than just the start of the Reformation Movement in 1517, it also celebrates the beginnings of the Slovenian language. Prime Minister Janez Janša stressed in his message
that the first printed book in Slovenian had laid a more solid foundation for the survival of both the Slovene language and the Slovene nation. Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič said that "even today, we must not lose sight of the message of the reformist revival that when we are stuck in the quagmire of our own disagreements and divisions, change is necessary and must be sincerely pursued by all".

1,663 new coronavirus infections recorded on Saturday as positivity rate tops 40%

LJUBLJANA - A total of 1,663 new coronavirus were recorded in Slovenia on Saturday, fresh data by the National Institute of Public Health show. The test positivity rate was the highest since the start of the epidemic, at 42.1%. Six more patients died, according to government data. 572 Covid-19 patients are in hospitals today, up 14 from yesterday, including 138 in intensive care unit, which is six more than the day before, the government said on Twitter.

Kadunc takes over as STA acting director

LJUBLJANA - Igor Kadunc, former director general of the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, takes over as the acting director at the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) on Sunday. He stressed that ensuring financial stability of the STA would be his priority as a prerequisite for the normal functioning and existence of the agency. Kadunc pointed out that there had been no problems with the implementation of the law on the STA before, since its entry into force in 2011.

Nine years after Drava floods, courts still processing claims

MARIBOR - It will be exactly nine years at the beginning of November since the Drava river flooded the majority of its course in Slovenia to leave extensive damage to homes and businesses. Damage lawsuits filed against the Austrian power utility Verbund over the flooding are still being processed and the state is in negotiations with the company. Several court cases against Verbund are ongoing in multiple courts in Slovenia, brought by municipalities as well as individual companies. The total value of claims is estimated at EUR 107 million.

31 Oct 2021, 13:04 PM

Slovenia Marks Reformation Day

STA, 31 October 2021 - Slovenia is celebrating Reformation Day on Sunday, a public holiday that marks more than just the start of the Reformation Movement in 1517, it also celebrates the beginnings of the Slovenian language.

In line with demands that religious books should be in a language that the people understand, the Slovenian Reformation Movement produced the first books in the Slovenian language.

The first one, Cathecism (Katekizem), was written by the Protestant priest Primož Trubar (1508-1586) in 1550, followed the same year by his second book Abecedarium (Abedecnik).

The two books, and subsequent books by other Protestant writers, are seen as the foundations of the Slovenian language but also of Slovenian culture and national identity coming several centuries before the idea of Slovenian nationhood was first articulated.

This point was also highlighted by Prime Minister Janez Janša in his message and by Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti in his speech at the main Reformation Day ceremony in Krško on Friday.

Janša said that the first printed book in Slovenian had laid a more solid foundation for the survival of both the Slovene language and the Slovene nation.

"Just as the Slovenian literary language placed us among the culturally developed nations of Europe five hundred years ago, so today, in times of globalisation and the blurring of national boundaries, the Slovenian language (still) remains a key part of our cultural heritage and identity. The centre of national consciousness. It is the bond that binds us together, preserves us and is the foundation of our identity," Janša wrote in today's message.

Simoniti said the Reformation had "paved the spiritual path" for the Slovenian language, providing the foundations for its development as a literary language and for Slovenian national identity.

Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič said in his message that "even today, we must not lose sight of the message of the reformist revival that when we are stuck in the quagmire of our own disagreements and divisions, change is necessary and must be sincerely pursued by all".

He believes that even more than half a century after the Reformation, concern for the fundamental questions of every human being - the question of freedom, justice and human dignity - continues to be imposed. "It is our responsibility to find adequate answers to these questions," he wrote in his message.

"Political parties must not divide us, but unite us, they must stand up for the good of all citizens, because only in this way can they ensure a functioning state", Bishop Leon Novak pointed out in his sermon on Reformation Day in Murska Sobota. In this context, he said, particular attention must be paid to language and the form of speech.

Reformation Day has been a public holiday since 1992.

31 Oct 2021, 12:55 PM

Positivity Rate Hits 42%

STA, 31 October 2021 - A total of 1,663 new coronavirus were recorded in Slovenia on Saturday, fresh data by the National Institute of Public Health show. The test positivity rate was the highest since the start of the epidemic, at 42.1%. Six more patients died, according to government data.

The 7-day average of new daily cases increased by 23 on the day before to 2,263 as the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people rose by 49 to 1,312.

The estimated number of active infections rose to 27,686.

572 Covid-19 patients are in hospitals today, up 14 from yesterday, including 138 in intensive care unit, which is six more than the day before, the government said on Twitter.

The youngest patient in hospital is 19 years old and the youngest patient in intensive care is 21.

So far, a total of 1,119,181 people or 53% of the population have been vaccinated. The share for those over 18 years old is at 63%, and for those over 50 it is at 74%.

31 Oct 2021, 04:16 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Sunday, 31 October 2021

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:

Positivity rate nears 40% as almost 3,000 new cases recorded

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 2,985 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the second highest daily figure in the current wave, as more than 39% of all PCR tests came back positive. Hospital numbers remained flat as 561 patients were hospitalised this morning, up by three, and the number of intensive care cases declined by two to 132. Nine patients with Covid-19 died. The latest figures bring the 14-day case notification rate per 100,000 population to 1,263, up by 73 from the day before.

Fmr president accuses govt of being undemocratic

SEVNICA - Milan Kučan, Slovenia's former president, has accused the current government of being undemocratic as he told a ceremony that the next election will "decide about the return of democracy". He said Slovenians had to send the clear message that "we are not willing to submit to the way the current government is governing, which is alien to Slovenia." Kučan said the government was undermining the Constitution and the rule of law, and indeed abandoning the rule of law altogether.

Language and culture in focus as minister visits minority in Austria

KLAGENFURT, Austria - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch paid a visit Friday to the Slovenian minority in Gailtal/Zilja, a valley in Carinthia. The preservation of Slovenian language and culture as well as bilingual education were in the focus. Instruction at bilingual primaries is not at the expected level, and what parents miss the most is the live presence of Slovenian language in everyday speech, the Office for Slovenians Abroad said.

Mobile banking outpacing online banking

LJUBLJANA - Mobile banking apps are being used by more and more Slovenians, the number of mobile bank users among natural persons having already surpassed the number of online banking users by the middle of this year. In the second quarter, a total of 1,041,918 natural persons and sole proprietors used mobile banks in Slovenia, while 1,011,274 used online banking, according to data by Slovenia's central bank Banka Slovenije. The gap widened even further in the third quarter.

30 Oct 2021, 09:01 AM

Friday Anti-Govt Protesters Announce 12 November for Events Across Slovenia

STA, 29 October 2021 - Bicycle protesters, who have been protesting against the government every Friday for 80 weeks, gathered for another rally in Ljubljana this evening, this time to address the issues of green infrastructure, green mobility, public transport and housing. The protest's organisers announced another "mass, pan-Slovenian protest" for 12 November.

Some government representatives "attempted to divert attention" from alleged corruptive practices and inability to do their work by focusing on "highly suspicious mail" in the past week, said the organisers, adding that "extremely questionable 'threatening letters', which according to the mail security protocol could not have reached the addressees in the first place, will not prevent people from being justifiably critical of the government's work and expressing their views".

The protesters marched from Republic Square, where they gathered first, to a post office to send letters to Prime Minister Janez Janša and Defence Minister Matej Tonin, noting that the mail did not include death threats but a firm request backed by arguments for resignation and a snap election.

This was in reference to the developments of the past week as a number of coalition officials, including Janša and Tonin, reported receiving death threats via mail, some of them also received a live ammunition round. A special police task force has been tasked with the investigation of these incidents.

The organisers said in a press release that they would send a letter to the police as well, as they believe that there was police repression present at last Friday's protest and the right to protest was restricted. According to the organisers, a number of Friday protesters were ID'd because they were standing in the street where the Culture Ministry building is located.

Today, the protesters called for setting up green infrastructure, building 30,000 non-profit flats by 2030, amending Article 78 of the Constitution to enshrine decent living conditions for all citizens, banning "extortionate rents", and providing more bike lanes.

The organisers announced that on 12 November there will be another "mass, pan-Slovenian protest" to unveil the protesters' guidelines for reforming politics and society and their key demands.

The largest Friday protest to date took place in late May when what is likely to have been tens of thousands of people protested against the government's actions. The rally, dubbed Pan-Slovenian Uprising for Early Election, included various groups and movements and was supported by trade unions and part of the opposition.

30 Oct 2021, 10:04 AM

What Mladina & Demokracija Are Saying This Week: Epidemic & Election vs Deep State

The covers and editorials from leading weeklies of the Left and Right for the work-week ending Friday, 29 October, 2021.

Mladina: Govt's epidemic strategy guided by upcoming election

STA, 29 October 2021 - Mladina says in its latest editorial that the government's Covid-19 strategy is actually "crazy business" that has nothing to do with the epidemic, because the basic premise that prevents the government from having a strategy and that steers the country's fight against the epidemic has a name - election.

"It sounds banal, and actually even criminal, but the Slovenian government today takes (or does not take) measures based on the fact that general election will be held in the country in half a year," the weekly says in Price of Pre-election Period.

Half of the voters who may take part in the election refuses vaccination, sending an indirect message that they also reject the majority of the anti-epidemic measures, which is why the government has been taking illogical and inconsistent measures.

"When it comes to all measures, the main line of thinking of the prime minister and other coalition party presidents is how possible individual measures taken by the government will impact the sentiment of voters in the upcoming election."

Taking action during an epidemic does have a political effect on the electorate, but this applies to every government, Mladina says, noting that Miro Cerar (2014-2018) had the refugee crisis and Alenka Bratušek (2013-2014) had the financial crisis.

"What comes with politics is politicians being able to look beyond the party and personal interests and take measures that will probably be damaging to them politically, but beneficial for the country and its residents."

According to the weekly, this is especially true for the current government and the time of epidemic - it is without a doubt a historical moment in which true statesmen sacrifice their possible future career in the name of higher goals.

"This government is not doing that, this is something Janez Janša is not capable of. That man continues to think only about himself, like all autocratic leaders. It is not about the nation, it is about him."

The weekly notes that Slovenia cannot afford another six months of pre-election time, because it immediately needs a government that will not look at the epidemic and measures to stem it through the lenses of the upcoming elections.

"The price of this calculating and egomaniac conduct is not counted in euros, but in lives," concludes the commentary.

Demokracija: Parallel mechanism of deep state still alive

STA, 28 October 2021 - Demokracija says in its latest commentary that the "parallel mechanism of deep state" from the period of transition is still very much alive in Slovenia and that money for completely political and ideological needs keeps returning to the country.

Today, deep state is being falsely defended by presenting the parallel mechanism as a system that benefits the Slovenian nation and as part of preparations for monetary aid during the independence efforts, the weekly adds in Parallel Mechanism.

The commentary discusses a book on the topic by economist Rado Pezdir, which talks about millions of euros disappearing abroad (mostly in tax havens) and returning in the form of various privatisation stories.

"What makes the book invaluable is that it uses concrete examples to describe how the parallel mechanism functions: from classic crime (cigarette smuggling) by the communist avant-garde and cooperation with (Italian) mafia after WWII."

The refined financial operations at the turn of the millennium show that the mechanism is very much alive and certain circumstantial evidence shows that the violent street protests in Ljubljana are financed in agreement with career criminals.

"The parallel mechanism defends what it holds dear the most: enormous quantities of money, care for heirs of communism, integrity of its (im)moral system and its interpretation of the world," Demokracija says.

It notes that the battle to dismantle this mechanism does not take place in plain daylight, but "at the most visceral levels," and in truth it is a battle between good and evil, between truth and lies.

"The left-wing experiment that has built the parallel mechanism in the first place has been taking place for more than three-quarters of a century in Slovenia, but sooner or later it will crumble under the weight of history," concludes the commentary.

All our posts in this series are here

30 Oct 2021, 08:00 AM

Last Week in Slovenia: 22-28 October, 2021

What follows is a weekly review of events involving Slovenia, as prepared by the STA.

If you’d like to keep up on the daily headlines then follow those here, or get all our stories in your feed on Facebook.

FRIDAY, 22 October
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Coming out of a two-day EU summit, PM Janez Janša said an important conclusion on the discussion on the primacy of EU law was that a solution needed to be sought in cooperation with Poland not against Poland. Speaking about the discussion on rising energy crisis, he said green transition should be seen as a solution, not a problem, repeating that the transition to a fossil-free future would not be possible without nuclear energy.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - After a two-day NATO ministerial, the first in-person session in over a year, Defence Minister Matej Tonin said the meeting confirmed Slovenia's reduced NATO capability goal of one instead of two battalion-size groups. As EU Council chair he said he made it clear to the allies that the EU's strategic autonomy was not meant to compete with NATO or the US.
        VIENNA, Austria - Foreign Minister Anže Logar took part in the Central 5 meeting with his counterparts from Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia, which called for further cooperation between their countries in particular in the economic recovery. They also discussed Eastern Partnership, calling for greater engagement by the EU.
        KOPER - The management board of port operator Luka Koper agreed with the supervisory board to resign effective from 16 November. Chief supervisor Franci Matoz, known as PM Janez Janša's lawyer, said the management, led by CEO Dimitrij Zadel, had performed well, but they concluded a new management team was needed for the company's strategic development.
        LJUBLJANA - Bojan Petan, the CEO of spa Terme Čatež and publisher DZS, expressed doubt about the authenticity of the leaked recording of his alleged conversation 14 years ago with Andrej Vizjak, the economy minister of the time, saying he did not remember having such a conversation. Like Vizjak, now serving as environment minister, he called for the authorities to investigate the origin of the tape in which Vizjak is heard telling Petan how he should avoid paying tax in the battle for control of Terme Čatež.
        LJUBLJANA - Some doctors voiced concern about the ethical aspect of a scheme adopted by the government the day before to incentivise GPs and their teams to actively promote vaccination in a bid to boost Covid-19 inoculation.
        LJUBLJANA - The government decided on 21 October to donate 612,064 doses of the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine to the COVAX initiative. The vaccine doses, which Slovenia ordered under a joint European public procurement contract, are to be shipped to Africa. The cabinet also revoked the 28 September decision to purchase an additional 100,000 doses of the Janssen vaccine from Hungary.
        LJUBLJANA - Dejan Židan, an MP for the opposition SocDems, called on Health Minister Janez Poklukar to appoint a competent group of experts to look into the verification of rapid antigen coronavirus tests bought by the ministry from Majbert Pharm in December 2020. This was after a former senior microbiologist at the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food told a parliamentary inquiry the tests and verification were inadequate, alleging she lost her job for pointing that out.
        ATHENS, Greece - Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič underlined the importance of multilateralism in responding to present-day challenges and the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans as he addressed the plenary session of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament from Council of Europe countries.
        LJUBLJANA - The US multinational food processing corporation ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) acquired a minority stake in Acies Bio, a Ljubljana-based biotech company whose main activity is biotechnology R&D and consulting. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

SATURDAY, 23 October
LJUBLJANA - Commenting on the tensions in the country, President Borut Pahor told the news portal N1 the president did not have the power to decide on the government's fate, while he said both political blocs should restore trust in dialogue and cooperation.
LJUBLJANA - Delo reported that the Defence Ministry asked the anti-graft watchdog for permission not to include an anti-corruption clause in contracts for a purchase of Oshkosh armoured personnel carriers from the US and a purchase of a transport aircraft from Italy. The paper said the ministry paid for the APCs before receiving a written reply from the watchdog, while in the aircraft case, the request was denied. The ministry said it had been told by the watchdog the clause was optional in the Oshkosh case prior to signing the deal.

SUNDAY, 24 October
        LJUBLJANA/SLOVENJ GRADEC - On United Nations Day, Slovenia called for strengthening of effective and rule-based multilateralism, with the UN playing the primary role based on inseparable connection and mutual complementation of peace, security and development, and on human rights with respect of international law and goals and principles of the UN Charter. UN Day was also marked on 22 October in Slovenj Gradec, a United Nations Peace Messenger City, which heard President Borut Pahor express Slovenia's strong commitment to multilateralism and the role of the UN in the global architecture.
        LJUBLJANA - The commercial broadcaster POP TV released its latest poll, which showed the ruling Democratic Party (SDS) enhancing its position as the leading party by gaining almost four percentage points from September to 18.6%, as President Borut Pahor was unseated by NSi MEP Ljudmila Novak at the top of popularity ranking of politicians to fall to fifth, his poorest showing yet.
        INNSBRUCK, Austria - Žan Kranjec finished 3rd in the Alpine Ski World Cup season opening men's giant slalom on the Rettenbach glacier above Sölden.
        LJUBLJANA - The 25th Ljubljana Marathon was dominated by Kenyan runners, with Ernest Kibet Tarus winning the men's race in 2 hours 22 minutes and 39 seconds, and Kwamboka Momanyi Grace winning the women's competition (2:38:10). Last year the event was cancelled due to Covid-19.

MONDAY, 25 October
        LJUBLJANA - Police confirmed they were investigating death threats mailed to several top politicians on 22 October, including PM Janez Janša and Defence Minister Matej Tonin. The mail contained letters with death threats and live ammunition. Similar threats were also sent to Interior Minister Aleš Hojs, the deputy groups of the opposition National Party (SNS) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), the SNS leader and a DeSUS deputy, and unofficially Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek. The threats drew condemnation from across the political aisle amid calls for de-escalation of political rhetoric, while the ruling party suggested inaction by prosecution on past threats was in part to blame, a claim rejected by the Supreme State Prosecution.
        KOPER - Slovenia marked Sovereignty Day in memory of the last Yugoslav army soldiers leaving Slovenian soil 30 years from Koper ago. Addressing the state ceremony in Koper, Defence Minister Matej Tonin warned of "toxic" political debate in the country and called for easing of tensions. In other messages, Prime Minister Janez Janša called for efforts to boost Slovenia's security resilience, while Speaker Igor Zorčič called for responsible and efficient policies and President Borut Pahor emphasized dialogue and cooperation.
        LJUBLJANA - Novo Brdo, a new housing estate that is to be one of the largest in Ljubljana, was inaugurated to provide homes to 498 vulnerable families and individuals. It was made possible with the help of a loan of the Council of Europe Development Bank.

TUESDAY, 26 October
        LJUBLJANA - The five centre-left opposition deputy groups boycotted the National Assembly's session in a bid to make it inquorate ahead of key votes, but failed because one of them, Speaker Igor Zorčič, remained present to chair the session. Coalition-sponsored proposals were passed, while a vote on the nominee for Constitutional Court judge, Rok Svetlič, was postponed to a future session on the proposal of the ruling Democrats (SDS).
        KIGALI, Rwanda - Foreign Minister Anže Logar attended an EU-AU ministerial meeting, pledging support by Slovenia and the EU in the efforts to forge a stronger partnership between both unions based on frequent cooperation and a long-term shared vision.
        NEW YORK, US - President Borut Pahor addressed a UN high-level remote debate on climate change ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, stressing the importance of trust in science and the need to increase funding for climate change mitigation.
        LJUBLJANA/BRDO PRI KRANJU - Mariya Gabriel, the European commissioner for innovation, visited Slovenia to take part in the EU Next Generation Innovators Summit & Investment Conference and a conference on the new European Research Area. She called for supporting innovation in Europe to help bring about a transition to a digital, inclusive and green society.
        LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec chaired an emergency session on EU energy ministers to discuss response to rising energy prices, but he told reporters after there was no unity over whether it would be sensible to take specific intervention measures at the EU level.
        LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted to call on all government agencies and officials to take into account the recommendations for improvements in human rights after it discussed the Human Rights Ombudsman's 2020 the week before. The report identified 473 violations of human rights and other irregularities, and put forward 128 recommendations.
        LJUBLJANA - The Peace Institute presented the results of a study which found extensive and active discrimination in Slovenia, mostly on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, nationality, skin colour and religion. The analysis showed 84% of respondents reported being discriminated against.
        LJUBLJANA - Brewer Pivovarna Laško Union, part of the Heineken Group, announced it would stop brewing beer in Ljubljana due to an outdated cooling system and move production to its other location in Laško. While the company said the change would not affect the product portfolio or the Union trade mark, it could not say yet how the staff would be affected.
        LJUBLJANA - EKWB, a Komenda-based company developing and producing components for water cooling systems for custom-made high-performance computers, won the Golden Gazelle Award for best fast-growing company, presented by the publisher Dnevnik.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia ranked 26th among 134 countries in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index for 2021, after placing 31st among 132 countries in 2020 in the report compiled by French business school INSEAD, Swiss staffing company Adecco and tech giant Google.

WEDNESDAY, 27 October
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Janez Janša met European Council President Charles Michel to discuss key dossiers of the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU, as well as energy prices, migration, the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership.
        LJUBLJANA - After Slovenia recorded more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day with hospital and ICU facilities filling fast, Health Minister Janez Poklukar warned the country was headed toward a disaster similar to that seen in Bergamo unless the trend is reversed. He announced at least a partial lockdown if number of ICU cases rose from current 130 to 160-180. Regular testing is being introduced in all hospitals and care homes and the self-testing frequency for non vaccinated or reconvalescent employees is being shortened to 48 hours, and for students twice a week.
        LJUBLJANA - The five centre-left deputy groups in parliament tabled a motion of no confidence in Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak as a direct consequence of the release of a leaked recording in which he is heard in his capacity as economy minister in 2007 promising favours in exchange for cooperation to Bojan Petan, the CEO of the spa company Terme Čatež, at a time the latter sought to privatise the company. Vizjak described the charges as constructs, but said he was looking forward to the opportunity to put the record straight over what he repeated was a montage tape.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - As chair of the EU's Home Affairs Council, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs hosted the first session as part of the inter-institutional negotiations on Europol mandate's review, the so called trialogue that also features the European Parliament. The day before Hojs told the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol the mandate's review was a key priority of the presidency.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - On conclusion of a three-day visit to Brussels, Minister for Digital Transformation Mark Boris Andrijanič said he presented to the European Commission Slovenia's digitalisation plans, particularly the digital voucher project, and proposals regarding the new EU chips act.
        LJUBLJANA - The opposition Social Democrats (SD) announced that the Velenje Local Court had upheld their EUR 10,000 damages claim against Prime Minister Janez Janša for claiming the party was headquartered in a "stolen Jewish villa". In a default judgement issued because Janša failed to pick up court mail and respond to the lawsuit, the court also ordered to Janša to apologise for the claim. Indicating an appeal, Janša said the court was made up of SD members or supporters, which met with protest from the Association of Judges.
        STRASBOURG, France/LJUBLJANA - Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović called on the Slovenian government to reinstate public funding for the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) in line with national laws. This was as the head of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) Uroš Urbanija invited Igor Kadunc, the new STA director, for a working meeting next week.
        LJUBLJANA - The upper chamber of parliament imposed a suspensive veto on a bill amending the pharmacy practice act that would lift the ban on vertical integration of pharmacies and drug wholesalers in cases when the wholesaler is incorporated by a public pharmacy or municipality. To override the veto, an absolute majority of 46 votes would be required at the National Assembly.
        KLAGENFURT, Austria - German-Slovenian town names were put up in the villages of Mače (Matschach) and Sveče (Suetschach), thus increasing the number of towns and villages with bilingual signs in the Austrian Carinthia province to 171.
        LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office reported that Slovenia had the highest negative natural increase since WWII last year at -2.5 per 1,000 inhabitants after 24,016 people died, 16.7% more than in 2019.
        LJUBLJANA/MARIBOR - Protests against the Covid pass mandate were held in several Slovenian towns, including in Ljubljana where a few hundred people gathered, much fewer than in the previous weeks.
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor awarded the Golden Order of Merit to the National Museum of Slovenia on its 200th anniversary for its outstanding contribution to the formation and preservation of Slovenian cultural, scientific and national identity.
        LJUBLJANA - Jorg Kristijan Petrovič, first deputy president of the Slovenian Court of Audit, was put forward as Slovenia's candidate for European Court of Auditors by the government once again, after the relevant parliamentary committee turned down his nomination without debate in mid-October.
        KRANJ - The Jenko Prize for best poetry collection in the past two years was awarded to Nina Dragičević for To Telo, Pokončno (This Body, Upright), which focuses on the body and its multifaceted nature, including experiences and future possibilities.

THURSDAY, 28 October
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - PM Janez Janša held talks with European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, with the government not revealing details beyond that the discussion revolved around the key dossiers of Slovenia's EU presidency. A Commission official said the discussion touched on Slovenia's failure to appoint its members of the European Public Prosecutors' Office (EPPO).
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Replying to EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova's letter about the STA situation, Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti said the government agreed the state is required to finance the STA under the law, but the funding must be transparent and public service done in accordance with the law. "But mainly it should be free of charge as defined by the law," he said.
        LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Association of Judges expressed protest after PM Janez Janša accused the court that ordered him to pay damages in a defamation suit brought by the opposition Social Democrats (SD) of political bias. The Supreme Court called for more decent communication between the branches of government.
        VILNIUS, Lithuania - Slovenia slid one spot to 12th in the latest EU gender equality index released by the European Institute for Gender Equality, scoring 67.6 points out of 100, practically level with the EU average.
        LJUBLJANA - Unofficial media reports said Slovenia's oldest paint manufacturer Jub is to be taken over by Dulux Australia in a deal worth around EUR 191 million. Under the deal, the new owners pledged to keep Jub's headquarters and production in Slovenia, the newspaper Finance said.
        LJUBLJANA - Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič said in an interview with the N1 news portal that the parliament was operational for now, however he believes that the government is not doing its job well and that elections are needed. He revealed he was involved in talks on potentially forming a new party, along with the other unaffiliated MPs.
        LJUBLJANA - The Competition Protection Agency (AVK) approved United Group's acquisition of the Sport Klub TV channels. After long and painstaking procedures, it has now found the concentration compatible with the rules of competition, as the market situation changed significantly with the entry of Arena Sport as new competitor.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia placed fifth on Lonely Planet's list of top 10 countries to visit in 2022 as the travel brand highlights the country's diverse gastronomy and numerous possibilities of active experiences. Slovenia is described as a green destination as its sustainable policy and natural riches are put front and centre.

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