News

25 Mar 2022, 12:26 PM

STA, 25 March 2022 - The government has issued a regulation on electricity self-supply from renewables that will abolish the net metering concept for solar systems that will be put in place from 2024 in line with an EU directive. The regulation also guarantees new ways to get incentives for electricity self-sufficiency, a move that comes after several NGOs urged this.

The regulation, adopted at Thursday's government session, also introduces a new regime for self-supply generators with a connection capacity of less than 50 kilowatts. The connection procedure has been streamlined for the owners of such installations, the Government Communications Office said.

The energy crisis relief law allows households, household communities and small businesses to install an electricity generator connected to the building's grid.

The main advantage of this self-supply system is that the amount of electricity taken from the grid and the amount put into the grid are balanced out, so the consumer pays only the difference if they have taken more than they have put into the grid. If they have taken less, they pay nothing except some charges.

Although the EU renewable energy directive promotes self-supply, the concept of net metering under the energy crisis relief law is not in line with the EU directive on the electricity market, which stipulates that in the future a grid charge will have to be levied for all electricity taken from the distribution grid.

As a result, those who enter the self-supply system after 31 December 2023 will no longer be eligible for net metering under the new regulation.

However, the basic concept of individual and community self-supply remains unchanged or has been upgraded by the act on the promotion of renewable energy sources and the regulation, as it provides exemptions and partial exemptions from certain levies, the possibility for all end-users connected to the grid to enter the self-supply system, and the possibility to receive investment aid in the form of grants.

The new Energy Agency regulations governing the grid charge are also expected to bring benefits for self-supplying homeowners and businesses, which will be essential as sufficient incentives will need to be provided to boost investment in electricity self-supply as much as possible, the government said.

On Monday, two environmental NGOs urged the government to provide at least EUR 100 million in incentives for electricity self-sufficiency and an upgrade of distribution systems to enable households to generate power from renewables, notably solar. They noted the government was not thinking long-term in its efforts to mitigate the energy crisis and was hindering the energy transition.

25 Mar 2022, 09:04 AM

STA, 24 March 2022 - Our Land (Naša dežela), a party formed by ex-Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec, held a congress at Brdo pri Kranju on Thursday to present its platform and candidates standing in the April general election. Pivec, ex-leader of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), said that Our Land will put addressing challenges before ideological topics.

One of the non-parliamentary party's priorities is Slovenia's decentralised development. The party proposes establishing provinces and transferring some of the state's and municipal powers on to them.

The party will push for a thorough reform of the education system to adjust it to the needs of the present time, and for an efficient health reform.

The elderly, business and balanced infrastructure development across the country will also be in the focus of the party's efforts.

Highlighting agriculture, security and energy independence as further key areas for the party to focus on, Pivec said: "Slovenia is a land with favourable conditions to raise the level of self-sufficiency."

The party will have 88 candidates, that is in all 88 electoral districts across the country, with Pivec standing in the Ptuj Ormož district, from where she comes.

Among the candidates are two MPs, independent Mateja Udovč, formerly an MP for the coalition Concretely, and DeSUS MP Branko Simonovič, who has joined Our Land.

Beekeepers Association head Boštjan Noč and ex-Concretely MP Urška Ban, currently a Public Administration Ministry state secretary, will also stand on the Our Land slate.

25 Mar 2022, 09:02 AM

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenia sending Boštjan Lesjak to Kyiv as chargé d'affaires

LJUBLJANA - Boštjan Lesjak will be Slovenia's interim chargé d'affaires in Kyiv, senior Foreign Ministry official Jernej Müller confirmed several unofficial media reports as he spoke on Radio Slovenija. Lesjak, a lieutenant-colonel, was previously an employee of the Defence Ministry, but has been now employed at the Foreign Ministry. On Sunday, PM Janez Janša said Slovenia will reinstate its diplomatic mission in Ukraine after Slovenian diplomats left due to the war. The Slovenian ambassador to Ukraine is currently stationed in Poland.

Janša: Russia's shelling of chemical facilities in Ukraine could lead to disaster

BRUSSELS, Belgium - PM Janez Janša warned that Russia's shelling of chemical facilities in Ukraine could lead to disaster, but he does not believe the Russian army will use chemical or biological weapons on purpose for tactical achievements, because that would be "very unwise as it would cause a disaster of major proportions", he said on arrival at the NATO summit. Asked whether there was any evidence that Russia was shelling chemical factories, he said that one such case was publicly known but that it was not clear yet whether the plant had been a target or collateral damage.

Janša: Ending Europe's dependency on Russian energy irreversible process

BRUSSELS, Belgium - PM Janez Janša urged ending Europe's dependency on Russian energy as soon as possible, as he arrived at the EU summit. "This unfortunately doesn't mean tomorrow. We support as fast a path as possible. This train is already on its way and has no return. This will probably happen later than we wish, but much sooner than Russia wishes," Janša told the press, adding that the European Commission would present some solutions today.

Pahor talks efforts to boost Slovenia-Qatar cooperation

DOHA, Qatar - President Borut Pahor met Khalifa Al-Kuwari, general manager of the Qatar Fund for Development, on the second and last day of his official visit to Qatar, and was the keynote speaker at the opening of a Slovenia-Qatar economic cooperation forum, his office said. The meeting with Al-Kuwari was dedicated to efforts to boost cooperation between the fund and the Slovenian humanitarian organisation ITF Enhancing Human Security.

Slovenia in talks to get gas from Qatar

DOHA, Qatar - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec discussed ways for Slovenia to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas as he and Qatari Minister for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi discussed how to transport up to two ships of Qatari gas a year to Slovenia through LNG terminals in the northern Adriatic. While free terminal capacity must be secured first, Slovenia "took a great step forward to diversify our gas supplies as Qatar is interested in cooperation too", said Vrtovec, who accompanied President Borut Pahor on his official visit to Qatar together with Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak.

Govt confirms deployment of up to 200 troops in Slovakia

LJUBLJANA - The government confirmed plans to deploy up to 200 Slovenian troops in Slovakia as part NATO's enhanced forward presence on its eastern flank. The total includes support staff and staff serving at headquarters and rotations are possible. The decision, made at a correspondence session late on Wednesday, says the service personnel will participate in the battlegroup's peacetime activities, which includes exercises, training and other peacetime activities, including measures to protect the battlegroup forces.

Committee clears closure of Russia's science-culture centre in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee endorsed in a 9:1 vote the government's initiative to revoke the 2011 agreement with Russia on scientific and cultural centres in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Under the proposal, the Russian Scientific and Cultural Centre in Ljubljana is to be closed. A Foreign Ministry state secretary told the MPs the centre was run by a Russia federal agency that was used to spread Russia's propaganda and fake news, whcih the government believed must be stopped.

Ukrainian refugees get rights to accommodation, work and education

LJUBLJANA - Refugees from Ukraine who apply for temporary protection in Slovenia will have the right to accommodation, financial assistance, access to the labour market and education under a decree adopted by the government based on the act on temporary protection of displaced persons. The decree also provides for the right to family reunification, free legal aid and to be informed on the relevant rights and obligations.

Hojs discusses migration, Ukraine in Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs visited Denmark to discuss the current migration situation with Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration Mattias Tesfaye. The pair also condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine and called for solidarity with Ukraine. The EU's swift and united response was crucial in this situation, they agreed, and this is also reflected in the bloc's unity in welcoming refugees from Ukraine, the Interior Ministry said.

Albaugh declined permit to expand in Rače

RAČE - The Environment Agency (ARSO) issued a decision on 16 March denying US-owned chemical company Albaugh the go-ahead to expand four-fold production of phytopharmaceuticals at its location in Rače in NE Slovenia after a complaint from an NGO. The company initially asked for an environmental permit to expand as early as 2017. ARSO issued the permit in February 2021, but after an appeal by an NGO, the Administrative Court annulled the decision, returning the case to ARSO. The NGO, Rovo, welcomed the decision, while the company, which has 30 days to appeal, has not yet responded to the STA request for comment.

Self-isolating voters to cast ballot at home or by mail

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Voters unable to cast their vote in the 24 April general election in person due to Covid self-isolation will be able to vote at home or by mail, but have to submit an application to vote at home by 20 April, the National Electoral Commission decided as it met for a session. Last week, it decided that voters unable to cast their vote in person due to illness will be able to vote at home before an electoral committee provided that they submit a medical certificate with their application to vote at home. The deadline for this is also 20 April.

Our Land wants to focus on challenges, not ideological topics

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Our Land, a party formed by ex-Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec, held a congress to present its platform and candidates standing in the April general election. Pivec, ex-leader of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), said Our Land will put addressing challenges before ideological topics. The party's priorities will be Slovenia's decentralised development, education and health reform, the elderly, balanced infrastructure development, agriculture, security and energy independence. Pivec said that "Slovenia is a land with favourable conditions to raise the level of self-sufficiency".

Refugees from Ukraine can study at University of Maribor

MARIBOR - The University of Maribor has made it possible for students from Ukraine to enrol temporarily in its study programmes without tuition under the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme. They can also apply for scholarships that will cover their living expenses for the first few months in Slovenia. Students cannot be formally enrolled in the middle of the academic year, but the work done during this period will be recognised as part of the formal enrolment in study programmes for 2022/23, by which time the university hopes there will be nation-wide rules for refugees.

Over 130 Ukrainian refugees enrolled in Slovenian primaries

LJUBLJANA - 131 refugee children from Ukraine have been enrolled in 64 primary schools across Slovenia, Education Ministry data as of Wednesday shows. Addressing reporters at the government press conference, Minister Simona Kustec said the system to involve refugee children from Ukraine into the education process was distinctly inclusive. The ministry said schools were not reporting any difficulties in communication with the children or their parents, or their enrolment.

Public broadcaster staff complain of pressure by leadership

LJUBLJANA - Reporters at public broadcaster RTV Slovenija accused the management and the programming council of exerting pressure on them. "There is pressure on colleagues, we work in extreme circumstances, in impossible conditions," Helena Milinković, a journalist and head of the coordinating body of journalists' trade unions at RTV Slovenija, told a debate on Wednesday evening. She said journalists were being collectively punished for publicly exposing unbearable work conditions but would not be quieted.

Minister calls for improved situation of Slovenian minority in Hungary

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch told a session of the Slovenian-Hungarian commission overseeing the implementation of the agreement on special rights of their respective minorities the situation of the Slovenian minority in the Hungarian region of Porabje had improved over the last decade, but there were still differences in the level of rights, political representation and financing enjoyed by the Slovenian minority in Hungary compared to the Hungarian community in Slovenia.

Growth slows as 3,271 new cases of coronavirus confirmed

LJUBLJANA - A total of 3,271 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in Slovenia on Wednesday, at 6% a slower week-on-week increase than in the past two weeks. Hospital figures continue to decline, but seven people with Covid-19 died, show fresh government data. The latest case count brings the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population to 1,759, up by 46 from the day before.

National Radioactive Waste Agency gets interim head

LJUBLJANA - The government appointed Petra Grajžl, the current head of the environment minister's office, as interim head of the national Radioactive Waste Agency (ARAO). She is taking over on 29 March, when the term of incumbent Sandi Viršek expires, and lead the agency until a new head is appointed but no longer than a year. The ARAO will be in charge of the construction of a special storage facility for low- and intermediate-level waste at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) in Vrbina.

Slovenia, US sign indefinite agreement on Fulbright Program

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and the US have signed a new memorandum of understanding on the Fulbright Program which provides the legal basis for the US government-sponsored international educational exchange programme in Slovenia, the US Embassy in Ljubljana announced. The agreement will be in force indefinitely after the previous one expired in December 2021. It was signed by US Ambassador to Slovenia Jamie L. Harpootlian and Slovenian Education Minister Simona Kustec.

Slovenia in multinational bid to get midwifery on UNESCO list

LJUBLJANA - The government gave its go-ahead for Slovenia to take part in a multinational bid to get midwifery listed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Preparations for the nomination, which needs to be submitted by 31 March, are led by Germany, with the other countries involved being Columbia, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Nigeria and Togo.

24 Mar 2022, 20:44 PM

STA, 24 March 2022 - Prime Minister Janez Janša urged ending Europe's dependency on Russian energy as soon as possible, as he arrived at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday afternoon. "This train is already on its way and has no return," he said.

Slovenia supports the decision, which will be probably adopted today, that Europe frees itself of Russian energy as soon this is feasible, said Janša.

"This unfortunately doesn't mean tomorrow. We support as fast a path as possible," he said. "This train is already on its way and has no return. This will probably happen later than we wish, but much sooner than Russia wishes."

Janša said that the European Commission will present some solutions today. "I can say that those of which we have already heard are effective to a large degree."

Ways of the US helping out with liquefied gas was discussed earlier in the day with US President Joe Biden, who is Brussels.

Some proposals were also given by the Ukrainian side when Janša and his Polish and Czech counterparts visited Kyiv on 15 March, Janša said.

These proposals contain very efficient sanctions on which opinions in Europe practically do not differ, he said.

At the NATO summit, which was held before the EU summit, sanctions concerning military affairs were discussed. Janša said Russia buys certain dual-use products as civilian products but uses them for military technology.

24 Mar 2022, 14:17 PM

STA, 24 March 2022 - The government decided on Thursday that refugees from Ukraine who apply for temporary protection in Slovenia will have the right to accommodation, financial assistance, access to the labour market and education, head of the Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants Katarina Štrukelj told the press.

Štrukelj said that these rights were secured under a decree adopted by the government today that was based on the act on temporary protection of displaced persons.

The decree defines the rights to accommodation and meals in accommodation centres for persons with temporary protection who cannot stay at private providers of accommodation. These persons will also be eligible for a monthly allowance.

Persons who have the option of staying in private accommodation and who do not have their own means of subsistence will be able to apply to the office for financial assistance, Štrukelj said.

Those granted temporary protection will have free access to the labour market in Slovenia and the right to be education at all levels, including in kindergartens.

The decree also provides for the right to family reunification, free legal aid and to be informed on the relevant rights and obligations. The refugees will be able to join integration programmes that include instruction Slovenian.

24 Mar 2022, 11:21 AM

STA, 24 March 2022 - The University of Maribor has enabled Ukrainian students who had to leave their country due to the war to enrol temporarily in its study programmes without tuition under a student exchange scheme. They can also apply for scholarships that will cover their living expenses for the first few months in Slovenia.

The university said in a press release on Thursday that it was looking for solutions that would provide support for students, university teachers, researchers and other staff from Ukraine affected by the war.

It has established a single entry point in English and Slovenian, and opened the e-mail address ukraine@um.si for all questions.

"As enrolment is not possible during the academic year, we cannot formally enrol Ukrainian students, but we will integrate them in the study process as part of the Erasmus student exchanges for a transitional period," the university said.

The work done during this period will be recognised as part of the formal enrolment in study programmes for the 2022/23 academic year, by which time the integration of Ukrainian students in tertiary education is planned to be systemically regulated.

The university is looking to provide accommodation to Ukrainian students in dormitories, centres for extracurricular activities and other suitable state-owned facilities.

Ukrainian students can apply for scholarships, and the student status allows them to get subsidised meals and do student work. The association of psychology students in Maribor has offered them private therapy talks in English free of charge.

The university has also enabled higher education teachers, associates and researchers from Ukraine to join the teaching and research work, and research and development projects as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

24 Mar 2022, 10:56 AM

STA, 23 March 2022 - All four KUL parties and the Freedom Movement issued a joint statement on Wednesday protesting against attempts to subjugate public broadcaster RTV Slovenija and supporting journalists' warnings about irregularities and pressure they experience at work. They pledged to change legislation after the elections to prevent political interference.

The new legislative framework will enable RTV Slovenija journalists to do their work professionally and independently "without politics interfering in their work or in expert management of the public media outlet", reads the statement.

It was signed by opposition LMŠ leader Marjan Šarec, SD leader Tanja Fajon, Left leader Luka Mesec, SAB leader Alenka Bratušek and Robert Golob from the non-parliamentary Freedom Movement.

They said that just like RTV Slovenija journalists, "we are shocked at the dismantling of the public broadcaster, which follows the long financial starvation of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA)."

They also warned that the attacks and subjugation of public media outlets are undermining democracy and the Slovenian statehood.

The statement highlights "the total bending of the rules and violation of regulations" in a number of appointments, including of the supervisory board and programming council, TV Slovenija director, TV Slovenija news programmes editor-in-chief, multimedia centre MMC editor or the two-time appointment of the same director general.

All this is to "intimidate journalists, destroy their independence and professional integrity, and transform RTV Slovenija into a government mouthpiece".

The statement also takes issue with "forced and rushed" changes to TV news programmes that should attract more viewers, but in reality their goal is to "abuse the public service and to fully instrumentalise by one party".

Just as was the case with the STA, the authorities are ignoring warnings from the civil society and the international professional public.

RTV Slovenija is not just a producer of news content but also one of the founding blocks of sovereignty of the Slovenian nation and a key pillar of democracy. "This is the reason why its dangerous political subjugation needs to be stopped immediately," concludes the statement.

The leadership of the public broadcaster rejected the allegations. In a written statement signed by director general Andrej Grah Whatmough, they say they strongly support journalist and editorial independence and condemn any abuse of the public service and its creators to score electoral points.

They say the leadership never exerted pressure on journalists or editors, which "is supported by the fact that none of the many organisations (trade unions and staff organisations) have ever notified the leadership of any case of pressure".

Meanwhile, the statement says that the RTV Slovenija leadership has often warned the public of unacceptable pressure from politics, organisations and other groups of public and reported some to the relevant institutions.

It also said that the Ljubljana Labour and Social Court had endorsed changes to the procedure for the appointment of the MMC editor, which the staff oppose.

Peter Gregorčič, the head of the RTV Slovenija programming council, sees the statement by KUL and Freedom Movement as political pressure on the public broadcaster.

24 Mar 2022, 05:37 AM

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's diplomatic mission in Kyiv to be led by chargé d'affaires

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Janez Janša announced the Slovenian diplomatic mission in Kyiv will operate at the level of chargé d'affaires with full powers for the duration of the emergency situation. He did not reveal who the chargé d'affaires will be, but said that several volunteers had come forward. Citing unofficial sources, media reported the interim chargé d'affaires would be Lt-Col Boštjan Lesjak, who served as a civilian member of the OSCE observation mission in Ukraine after Russia's annexation of Crimea. Defence Minister Matej Tonin indicated the mission would involve staff from his ministry as the opposition denounced what it called "armed diplomatic mission" as an "arbitrary and dangerous" move.

President Pahor discusses cooperation with Emir of Qatar

DOHA, Qatar - President Borut Pahor started a two-day official visit to Qatar by meeting Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. They assessed that there are many opportunities to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in energy, sustainable development, tourism and investment. The Emir, who accepted Pahor's invitation to visit Slovenia, said that as leaders of small and young countries they were both aware of how important it was to find peaceful solutions to all conflicts.

Top court strikes out petition to assess two opposition parties

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court struck out a petition to examine whether the Left and the Social Democrats (SD) may be functioning in contravention of the constitution and whether their programmes may be unconstitutional, deeming it to be totally without merit. The petition was brought by Vili Kovačič, an activist best known for unsuccessfully bidding to defeat the government law on the Koper-Divača rail project in two referenda in 2017 and 2018. The two opposition parties welcomed the decision suggesting the ruling coalition Democrats (SDS) were behind the constitutional petition.

New group of refugees arrives from Ukraine

ŽALEC - A group of 43 refugees from Ukraine arrived in Žalec to be temporarily taken care of by the Celje Caritas before they are accommodated with families. The group had been brought to Slovenia by Tamino Petelinšek, a photographer with the Slovenian Press Agency who had been commissioned by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternity, to photograph a shipment of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Private accommodation offered for 600 Ukrainian refugees

LJUBLJANA - Owners of hotels, hostels and self-catering apartments offered accommodation for around 600 refugees in a public call for applications issued by the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants in early March. Talks with the 153 applicants are under way and agreements are expected to be signed this week, the office told the STA. The call was open to providers who could offer accommodation for at least 20 persons.

Slovenian businesses summit looks at the future

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Green transition and digitalisation, connectivity in all areas, re-industrialisation and the role of the state and the financial system were identified as four main target areas at the Slovenian Business Summit, an annual event organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Brdo estate and featuring most senior government officials. Over 150 measures and goals were set out in a document called Horizons of the Future, which PM Janez Janša called bold. He said they showed the economy's confidence.

Govt presents investment projects in its term

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Ahead of the official start of the election campaign, Prime Minister Janez Janša, and fellow coalition leaders Matej Tonin and Zdravko Počivalšek, presented what Janša called the "biggest investment drive" in Slovenia's history. They said almost EUR 8 billion worth of investment projects had been implemented, were ongoing or were approved along with funds in their government's term at the level of local communities. EUR 1.5 billion comes from EU funds.

New act on money laundering prevention passed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a new act on the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing, replacing the relevant act from 2016. While the government argued the act was needed so as to transpose three EU directives, the centre-left opposition is concerned that it will give relevant authorities too broad powers. Slovenia was running late in transposing the directives into its legislation and has already received warnings from the European Commission.

Proposal to ban pre-election polls voted down

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted down a proposal sponsored by the opposition National Party (SNS) and backed by the ruling Democrats (SDS) to ban publication of political opinion polls for half a year before elections. 33 MPs voted in favour of the bill and 42 against. Both the SNS and the SDS argued that pollsters often created public opinion rather than measured it with SNS saying it was dictated by the left political bloc, which still wielded most influence in the media.

MPs confirm two inquiry interim reports

LJUBLJANA - MPs confirmed interim reports by two coalition-sponsored inquiries into the purchasing of protective equipment and Covid measures, and into the purchase of medical equipment by Slovenian hospitals not related to Covid. But they rejected a report by an opposition-led parliamentary inquiry into the government's handling of the epidemic. The coalition argued the previous government had left warehouses empty of protective equipment, an allegation dismissed by the opposition.

Centre-left protest against developments at RTV Slovenija

LJUBLJANA - The four centre-left opposition parties and Robert Golob's Freedom Movement issued a joint statement to protest against what they see as attempts to subjugate public broadcaster RTV Slovenija and to support journalists' warnings about irregularities and pressure they experience at work. The five parties pledged to change legislation after the elections to prevent political interference in the public broadcaster and let staff do their job professionally and independently.

Minorities expect dialogue, support from new govt

LJUBLJANA/KLAGENFURT, Austria/TRIESTE, Italy - Leaders of Slovenian autochthonous minorities in Austria and Italy expect the new Slovenian government to be formed after the April election to keep engaging in dialogue with them, provide support to resolve open issues, and remain as active on the minority front as Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch has been over the past two years.

Slovenia partly implemented recommendation about hate speech

LJUBLJANA - The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance found that Slovenia had partly implemented the recommendation that it should address serious shortcomings in prosecution of hate speech, including victims lacking a legal remedy when prosecutors dismiss hate speech complaints or do not decide to prosecute. It however failed to implement the recommendation about equality data collection that the commission made as part of its fifth regular report in 2019.

Covid cases continue to climb

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 3,325 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, an increase of 14% on the same day a week ago. The epidemic has been growing since early March, but the situation in hospitals remains stable for now. The 14-day notification rate per 100,000 of the population is at 1,713. The health authorities estimate there are currently nearly 36,300 active cases in the country. An additional three people with Covid died, according to the Health Ministry.

Public health insurer expects EUR 184m in deficit this year

LJUBLJANA - The ZZZS public health insurer recorded EUR 3.64 billion in revenue, which is EUR 383 million more than in 2020. Expenditure was up by EUR 176 million to EUR 3.52 billion. This year, a EUR 184 million shortfall of revenue over expenditure is planned, said director general Tatjana Mlakar. Based on forecasts by the IMAD, the government's macroeconomic think-tank, revenue is to go up by EUR 225 million this year, while expenditure is expected to rise by EUR 260 million.

Consumer confidence lowest since November 2020

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level since November 2020, declining by 12 percentage points, in what is the sharpest drop since the first peak of the pandemic in April 2020, show Statistics Office figures. The indicator measuring consumer expectations about the state of the economy was down 26 points, whereas the indicator measuring inflation expectations dropped by 23 points, to the lowest level since measurements began in 1996.

Revoz stops production over semi-conductors

NOVO MESTO - Revoz, the Slovenian subsidiary of French car maker Renault, was forced to stop assembling cars earlier this week over an irregular supply of electronic components for cars it manufactures in Novo Mesto, south-eastern Slovenia. Production is to resume next week, trade unionist Slavko Pungeršič told the STA. The company is trying to find a long-term solution to the problem.

NLB reportedly suspends sale of asset manager arm

LJUBLJANA - The newspaper Finance reported that Slovenia's largest banking group, NLB, decided to suspend the sale of its asset management arm NLB Skladi, which was launched in mid-2021. "Now is not the time to sell good assets. We may continue the sale at some point in the future," NLB chairman Blaž Brodnjak was quoted as saying by the newspaper. NLB Skladi is the largest asset and mutual fund management company in Slovenia. At the end of last September, it had a 37.2% market share.

SIJ group returned to profit last year

LJUBLJANA - SIJ, the Slovenian steel group in majority Russian ownership, reported it turned to profit last year after posting a net loss of EUR 49.9 million in 2020. Last year, sales revenue stood at EUR 962.7 million, up 36.8% from the year before, while net profit reached EUR 29.2 million, the group's audited results show. The group's EBITDA almost tripled to EUR 100.8 million gross and EBITDA margin was 5.1 percentage points higher at 10.5%.

Alpe-Adria fair focuses on active tourism

LJUBLJANA - The Alpe-Adria fair, the largest trade show for tourism and leisure in Slovenia, opened in Ljubljana after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. The focus of the show, which runs until 26 March, is green and active tourism. Over 130 providers of tourism services from Slovenia, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czechia, Croatia, Italy and Nepal are showcased. A debate held at the fair heard the government would help tourism, possibly with tourism vouchers.

Slovenia's GDP at 90% of EU average in 2021

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenia's GDP, expressed in purchasing power standards, amounted to 90% of the EU average in 2021, a percentage point higher than the year before, Eurostat data shows. GDP ranged from 277% of the EU average in Luxembourg and 221% in Ireland, to 55% in the bloc's poorest country, Bulgaria.

Belgrade gets monument to Slovenian linguist

BELGRADE, Serbia - A monument honouring Slovenian linguist Jernej Kopitar (1780-1844) was unveiled in Belgrade in a gesture that celebrates the friendship of Kopitar and his Serbian counterpart and friend Vuk Stefanović Karadžić (1787-1864), whose statue was erected in Ljubljana in 2016. The work of Slovenian sculptor Matjaž Počivavšek, the Kopitar monument has the shape of a narrow, triangular, hollow prism which is reminiscent of an upright book.

23 Mar 2022, 12:41 PM

STA, 23 March 2022 - Owners of hotels, hostels and self-catering tourist apartments have offered accommodation for around 600 refugees in a public call for applications issued by the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants.

Talks with the 153 applicants are under way and it is expected agreements will be signed this week, the office told the STA.

The call for applications was published in early March and was open for providers who could offer accommodation for at least 20 persons.

As of last week there were more than 3,000 Ukrainian refugees in Slovenia. The majority are staying with relatives or friends, and there are two large groups housed at the Aliens Centre in Logatec and at Debeli Rtič, where the Interior Ministry has holiday facilities for employees.

23 Mar 2022, 11:31 AM

STA, 22 March 2022 - The government has adopted an initiative to revoke an agreement with Russia on scientific and cultural centres, and submitted it to the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee for confirmation. The reason for the step is Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Government Communication Office said the proposal was adopted at Tuesday's session of the government committee on state organisation and public affairs.

The decision was justified with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which the release described as an unacceptable and grave violation of international law and treaties, including the founding Charter of the United Nations.

The agreement, signed in 2011, created the legal basis for the Russian Scientific and Cultural Centre in Ljubljana (Ruski dom v Ljubljani), and a potential such Slovenian institution in Russia, which Slovenia has however never developed.

23 Mar 2022, 10:47 AM

STA, 22 March 2022 - Legendary Croatian footballer and manager Robert Prosinečki has officially taken over as the new coach of Ljubljana's biggest football club Olimpija, as confirmed by the club on Tuesday. During his playing career, Prosinečki was member of some of the greatest clubs in world football.

"After a series of unconvincing performances and results, Olimpija Ljubljana decided for a change on the bench. Now we can present the new coach to the public with utmost pride and satisfaction," the football club said in a press release.

"It is not every day that such a great football name comes to Slovenia. We had the opportunity, and we took it," added representatives of Olimpija.

Robert Prosinečki is widely regarded as one of the best players in Croatia's football history, being one of the few footballers to have played for the largest clubs and rivals in Spain, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

During his successful career that spanned almost 20 years, Prosinečki also played for Sevilla, Standard Liège, Portsmouth, Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade. He also represented Croatia at Euro 1996 and two World Cups, in 1998 and 2002.

It was at the 1998 World Cup that Prosinečki and the Croatian squad managed a historic third-place finish, with Prosinečki scoring two goals. As a result, he is the only player in history to score goals at the World Cup for two different national teams, as he also scored for Yugoslavia in 1990.

Towards the end of his playing career, Prosinečki enjoyed a short spell at Olimpija Ljubljana, where he won the Slovenian national cup trophy in 2003. That was his last trophy as a player, and he scored a goal in the final.

Prosinečki now returns to Olimpija as a manager, having previously led Red Star Belgrade, three Turkish clubs, and Bosnia-Herzegovina's national team, among others. He has signed a contract until the end of the 2023/24 season.

Prosinečki will be introduced to the public in his new role at a press conference on Wednesday. After that, he will lead the team in his first training session, while the opening match awaits him on 3 April, after the international break.

In his first statement, the new coach said that "it is really nice to be back in Ljubljana. The feeling is very good, I'm coming to a club I know well. I also know Ljubljana well and I'm really looking forward to the adventure ahead of me."

Prosinečki has very fond memories of Olimpija. "We played good football ... and I made some very good friends. It is because of them that I kept returning to Ljubljana many times," he told the website of Olimpija Ljubljana.

"Olimpija is a club that always has great, high ambition, and my vision corresponds to this. I want to see a team at work that will play offensive-minded, likeable and successful football. A team that will dominate the pitch."

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