09 Mar 2022, 16:13 PM

New Bust of Jože Pučnik, Key Independence Figure

STA, 9 March 2022 - Jože Pučnik, a leading dissident under the Communist regime in Slovenia who played a key role in the country's independence, was honoured with a bust at Brdo estate on the 90th anniversary of his birth. In his address to the ceremony, Prime Minister Janez Janša drew parallels between the situation in Slovenia at the time and the war in Ukraine.

The bust carries the famous quote with which Pučnik welcomed the outcome of the 1990 independence referendum: "Yugoslavia is no more, now it is about Slovenia", the words that Janša said should be kept repeated today.

Even though Pučnik did not spend much time at Brdo pri Kranju, the estate where state functions are held, Janša said the location for the bust was picked because it was here that one of the most momentous political decisions was taken.

After the plebiscite on 23 December 1990, where Slovenians voted overwhelmingly for independence from Yugoslavia, Janša said there were many doubts about Slovenia breaking free from Yugoslavia.

Pučnik then called a meeting at Brdo of the DEMOS government, which unified over the decision for independence, said Janša who at the time served as defence minister.

He said Pučnik was not burdened by grudges or the difficulty of building consensus between the great number of parties forming the DEMOS government, but fought for the Slovenian nation's right to self-determination.

"I'm glad Slovenia's main airport carries his name and that streets and squares are named after him," said Janša, regretting that this was not the case in the capital Ljubljana.

Janša said that just before his arrival at Brdo he got a call from Australian PM Scott Morrison, who inquired about the EU's steps in the coming days and weeks. What happens in Ukraine will also determine what happens in the South Pacific and elsewhere in the world in terms of peace and respect for international law, Janša quoted Morrison.

He noted that many Ukrainians who live in various European countries are now returning home to help defend the country. "Pučnik too came from the comfort of a foreign country into the turbulence of Slovenian Spring."

Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti praised Pučnik for his fearlessness which allowed him to keep his faith in life and the future. He saw the future in Slovenia and was one of its pillars.

The bust of Pučnik was unveiled by Janša and Pučnik's son Gorazd Pučnik.

In tribute to the 90th anniversary of Pučnik's birth, a guard of honour laid a wreath at Pučnik's grave in his home village of Črešnjevec in the north-east on behalf of President Borut Pahor. One of the halls in the Presidential Palace was named after Pučnik in 2015.

Pučnik (1932-2003) was one of the most outspoken Slovenian critics of dictatorship and lack of civil liberties in Yugoslavia during the Communist regime. He was incarcerated two times in the late 1950s and 1960s because of his critical writing, after which he emigrated to Germany.

After returning to Slovenia in the late 1980s, he co-founded the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDSS) in 1989 and remained its leader until 1993. From 1989 to 1991, he also headed DEMOS, a coalition of parties that won the first multi-party election in Slovenia after World War II.

In 1990 he run in the election for the president of Slovenia's collective presidency, but was defeated in the run-off by Milan Kučan. Pučnik was deputy prime minister in 1992 and in the 1992 election he was elected MP. He retired from politics in 1997. He died in Germany in 2003.

09 Mar 2022, 10:24 AM

Net Profits Up 75% at Cinkarna Celje, €33 Million in 2021

STA, 9 March 2022 - Chemical company Cinkarna Celje, which specialises in titanium dioxide production, posted a net profit of EUR 33.2 million for 2021, a year-on-year increase of 75%. Driven by exports, sales rose by 12% to EUR 192.5 million, according to an unaudited report released on Wednesday.

Profit before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was up by 58% to EUR 51.8 million and operating profit (EBIT) surged by 77% to EUR 40 million.

The company says the increase in sales was driven by robust demand in all markets and the total value of exports reached EUR 175.1 million, up 11% year-on-year.

"There is currently a shortage of titanium dioxide supply on the market, which is reflected in year-on-year increases in prices," the press release says.

While significantly higher prices of titanium dioxide in Asia have generated higher demand for products from western multinationals and local producers, input-side pressure also increased, driving up the prices of raw materials.

Going forward, the company sees "high uncertainty" due to the current geopolitical situation. Higher energy prices in Europe than in Asia and North America "could have a stronger impact on the competitiveness of the supply of European producers," it says.

However, the company has a significant cash buffer, with cash assets rising by 59% to EUR 59.7 million at the end of the year.

09 Mar 2022, 10:15 AM

Slovenia’s Schools Closed As Education Staff Go On 1-Day Strike

STA, 9 March 2022 - Close to 40,000 teachers and other staff at schools, kindergartens and universities across Slovenia are expected to go on strike on Wednesday to demand higher wages as well as bonuses for extra work during the Covid-19 epidemic.

Due to the general strike, schools and kindergartens will be closed but day care will be organised for the youngest children whose parents have nowhere else to take them.

Lectures, research and other activities will also be suspended at higher education institutions. "The only exception is pre-scheduled exams and diploma presentations, clinical training vital to patients' health and meetings to discuss strike demands," the Higher Education Union has said.

Staff at kindergartens and primary and secondary schools will strike at their workplace and their union SVIZ urged them to gather in front of schools or in schoolyards at five minutes to noon and turn their backs in a show of discontent.

SVIZ declared the strike after its members as well as non-teaching staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of the industrial action.

They set eight strike demands, the most important of which they say is signing a deal with the government to get paid for the extra work and exposure to virus during the Covid-19 epidemic, and higher wages for all staff working in education to make up for the disparities created after other sections of the public sector secured rises.

The government says the strike is unwarranted arguing that the average wage bracket of teachers is above that for groups of employees such as soldiers, police officers and nurses which had already secured rises.

On the eve of the strike, Education Minister Simona Kustec said they were willing to discuss systemic solutions and reform of the public sector pay system with the unions but the government had made a commitment not to place additional systemic burdens on the public finances ahead of the election.

The ministry also said that kindergartens, primaries and music schools received more than EUR 149 million for Covid-related bonus payments from October 2020 to June 2021.

Considering the great number of institutions where the staff opted for the strike, SVIZ boss Branimir Štrukelj says the industrial action "cannot pass off without causing problems in particular for the parents of kindergarten and primary school children".

He appealed to parents to support them in their demands, while denouncing the Education Ministry's instruction to headteachers that they should guarantee a minimum teaching process during the strike as unlawful. Unlike in healthcare, the right to strike in education is no way limited, the unionist said earlier this week.

However, the ministry invoked an article in the strike act which says that public services need to provide minimum activities during a strike necessary to keep people and property safe and allow work elsewhere to go on.

SVIZ says the strike would continue until their demands are met, although schools will only be closed on Wednesday. They are planning to meet next Monday to decide whether to resume the action under this government or break it off and resume talks with a new government formed after the 24 April general election.

09 Mar 2022, 07:35 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, 9 March 2022

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 to activate temporary protection act for Ukrainian refugees by Friday

LJUBLJANA - The Interior Ministry will propose the government activate an article that will provide immediate temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees by Friday, Minister Aleš Hojs announced. The ministry is working on a regulation whereby the government would activate the temporary protection of displaced persons act after EU home affairs ministers last week agreed to activate the temporary protection directive for the first time ever. The directive means that the refugees will be granted a temporary residence permit in the EU, access to the labour market, accommodation, education, social care and healthcare.

Fuel prices reach record levels

LJUBLJANA - Prices at the pump surged with both diesel and regular petrol reaching all-time highs. Regular petrol cost between EUR 1,555 and EUR 1,564 and diesel was between EUR 1,662 and EUR 1,670 depending on provider. Along motorways prices are even higher, by a few cents on average. Prices have been rising for several weeks but have now surged by more than five cents per litre in a single day and in some cases even more.

Govt to intervene to prevent fuel price "explosion"

MEDVODE - The government will discuss rising fuel prices on Wednesday with two ministers assuring reporters today that the government will step in to secure sufficient supplies from commodity reserves and a sustainable pricing policy. Slovenia has sufficient reserves not to be hurt by somewhat prolonged disruption to supply of oil derivatives, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said during the government's visit to the north of central Slovenian region.

PM says it will soon be clear whether EU will also ban Russian gas, oil

KAMNIK - PM Janez Janša said that in the next two or three days it would be clear whether the EU will also ban Russian energy imports and thus follow the example set by the US and UK, as he addressed a debate that wrapped up the government's visit to Slovenia's central region. The time frame of Russia's invasion of Ukraine will depend on this decision, he said, adding that a draft resolution stated that Europe should become energy independent from Russia, but the dilemma remained on how and when.

Pahor, Anastasiades discuss bilateral relations, Ukraine war

NICOSIA, Cyprus - President Borut Pahor started a two-day official visit to Cyprus by meeting his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades. The pair discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and topical issues such as the war in Ukraine, climate crisis, migration and energy security. Pahor said they had both strongly condemned the Russian invasion, which he said was a grave violation of international law. He noted that it was important to achieve a ceasefire so that a peaceful solution could be found.

Speaker, Ukrainian ambassador note importance of aid to Ukraine

LJUBLJANA - Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič received Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Brodovych, with the pair discussing the current situation in Ukraine and Slovenia's draft resolution on the matter, which will be voted on in parliament on Wednesday. Brodovych once again expressed his gratitude for Slovenia's support and assistance. "We noted that it is also of the utmost importance that the parliament sends a strong message of support to Ukraine," Zorčič said.

Coronavirus cases on the rise again

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 3,141 new coronavirus cases for Monday, up by more than 20% over the week before and the highest daily figure since 18 February. The trend has turned upwards as expected two weeks after the relaxation of most restrictions. Overall hospital numbers rose slightly as well with 269 patients hospitalised due to Covid-19, but the number of those in intensive care remained level at 74. Five patients with Covid-19 died.

Committee okays blanket ban on fracking

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Infrastructure Committee endorsed in second reading the government-sponsored amendments to the mining act, which now include a blanket ban on fracking, a proposal both coalition and opposition MPs had tabled. The current mining act, adopted in 2010, has led to "many errors, internal inconsistencies and inconsistencies with other regulations", said Infrastructure Ministry State Secretary Blaž Košorok, adding that some areas had not been regulated at all.

Construction of Lendava geothermal plant to start next month

LENDAVA - A pilot project designed to extract geothermal energy from abandoned oil and gas wells in Lendava is to start next month, as company HSE Invest, representing partners in the project, filed for a construction permit for the 50 kW geothermal plant. The project of a subsidiary of the state-owned power utility HSE, energy group Petrol and chemical company Nafta, is seen as a potential use case for abandoned wells around the world. It is expected to be built by May 2023.

Demands for gender equality presented at rally

LJUBLJANA - Several hundreds of people gathered in Ljubljana's Congress Square on International Women's Day to express opposition to gender-based discrimination against women. Five comprehensive demands were presented as part of the rally that sought to improve the position of women in society and ensure gender equality. The demands presented by several associations, NGOs and trade unions deal with education, raising awareness of equality and gender stereotypes, decent work, economic discrimination against women, prevention of violence against women and children, general, sexual and reproductive health, and parity.

Slovenia-based Russians rally to express support for Ukraine

LJUBLJANA - Almost a hundred people gathered in Prešeren Square in Ljubljana to express support for Ukraine at an anti-war rally organised by Russians living in Slovenia who oppose Russia's attack on Ukraine. "There is an attempt to silence our fellow citizens by their own government with the use of truncheons, fines, imprisonment, censorship. We must not and cannot be silent regardless of consequences," the organisers said in their invitation to the rally, which was shared on social media.

Women on Women award goes to four collectives, one activist

LJUBLJANA - The City of Women has conferred the Women on Women Award on an artist and four collectives that continue to offer assistance "in almost impossible conditions". The awards went to author Suzana Tratnik, the women's choir Kombinat, SOS Telephone, a helpline for victims of domestic violence, the Koroška Pride Institute, and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, a recently established NGO.

Priest's comment on women in sports named most sexist statement

LJUBLJANA - Andrej Vončina, a priest and secondary school teacher, has been given the Silver Thistle for the most sexist statement of 2021/22 for saying that "professional sport diverts women from their mission while their biological clock is ticking" and that heritage said "where a woman can reach her full potential and where she is free". The Silver Thistle is given out by the gender issues portal Spol.si and the organisers of the feminist and queer festival Red Dawns.

08 Mar 2022, 16:48 PM

Slovenia to Offer "Immediate Temporary Protection" for Ukrainian Refugees by Friday

STA, 8 March 2022 - The Interior Ministry will propose the government activate an article that will provide immediate temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees by Friday, Minister Aleš Hojs announced on Tuesday.

The ministry is working on a regulation whereby the government would activate the temporary protection of displaced persons act after EU home affairs ministers last week agreed to activate the temporary protection directive for the first time ever.

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The directive means that refugees from Ukraine will be granted a temporary residence permit in the EU, access to the labour market, accommodation, education, social care and healthcare.

Slovenia already has the relevant act, but the government needs to take a special decision to activate it. The minister hopes it will be activated by Friday at the latest.

The activation will speed up protection granting procedures, Hojs said, adding that Ukrainian refugees would not be required to ask for international protection on their arrival in Slovenia.

Nataša Potočnik, the head of the migrations directorate, told Radio Slovenija that the mechanism would be available to those who were a resident of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, meaning both Ukrainian citizens and other citizens living in the country at that time would be eligible to be processed under the mechanism.

The latter are required to prove they had an international protection status or a residence permit in Ukraine at the time and cannot return to their country of origin.

Those who have already lodged an application for international protection under the regular procedure, which usually takes more time, can opt out of this and choose to be processed under the temporary protection mechanism, she said.

Temporary protection can be granted for one year with the possibility to be renewed twice. While having a temporary protection status, people can apply for international protection, she added.

The ministry provided police data this afternoon showing that 502 Ukrainian nationals had asked for international protection in Slovenia through Monday.

Even more are travelling through Slovenia. "According to the available data, we estimate that several thousand refugees transit through Slovenia per day," the police said. Hojs said earlier that most were headed to West European countries.

The minister announced that an information system would be put in place to register refugees from Ukraine, "so it's clear where and who is accommodated and whether they are still in Slovenia".

There has so far been no agreement on potential relocation of Ukrainian refugees between EU countries as Poland said it would sustain the pressure itself.

"Should the pressure of refugees increase further, Slovenia has made it clear that we are ready to accept a substantial number of refugees," said Hojs.

Slovenia could provide capacities to accommodate between 20,000 and 30,000 refugees and take care of roughly 200,000 in total. However, at the moment accommodation is available for between 1,000 and 2,000, he estimated.

The accommodation centre in Logatec currently accommodates 135 Ukrainian refugees, including 79 children, whereas the rest are women, said Katarina Štrukelj, the head of the government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants. The ministry is looking for new capacities to accommodate them.

The ministry itself has made available accommodation facilities at the seaside resort of Debeli Rtič with other locations to be inspected in the coming days, including in Murska Sobota in the north-east of the country.

According to Defence Minister Matej Tonin, 2,500 Ukrainian refugees are registered at private accommodations in Slovenia, with their relatives or acquaintances.

The office has launched an open call to obtain information on candidates willing to provide accommodation for refugees from Ukraine. Due to numerous enquiries, the deadline for applications has been extended until Wednesday at noon, the office told the STA.

Health Minister Janez Poklukar said that Slovenia would provide medical care for Ukrainian refugees, and that all healthcare providers had been notified that the refugees are entitled to emergency health services.

Commenting on the integration of Ukrainian children into Slovenia's educational system, Education Minister Simona Kustec said that educational models were in place for this at primary and secondary school levels.

Depending on the flow of refugees, Slovenia will decide whether to take an individual approach in individual environments and schools, or a more systemic approach in the event of a larger refugee wave. Some Ukrainian child refugees are already being introduced into the Slovenian school system, she added.

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08 Mar 2022, 14:43 PM

Govt Plans Action to Deal with High Fuel Prices

STA, 8 March 2022 - The government will discuss rising fuel prices on Wednesday with two ministers assuring reporters on Tuesday that the government will step in to secure sufficient supplies from commodity reserves and a sustainable pricing policy.

Slovenia has sufficient reserves not to be hurt by somewhat prolonged disruption to supply of oil derivatives, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said during the government's visit to the north of central Slovenian region.

He spoke as prices at the pump hit all-time highs today as a result of the impact of the war in Ukraine. Long lines formed at service stations yesterday as people rushed to fill up and some pumps run out of fuel.

"In line with the intervention from the commodity reserves, we will decide how to ensure a sustainable pricing policy in the coming month. In any case, the state will make sure that the prices won't explode," he said.

The government will intervene if necessary both in terms of volumes and prices. A session dedicated to this issue will be held on Wednesday and the Economy Ministry is working on various scenarios for the future, Počivalšek said.

The Commodity Reserves Agency told the STA that it held a reserve of petroleum products that significantly exceeded the 90-day average consumption in Slovenia. The exact quantity of commodity reserves, including petroleum products, is confidential.

Prime Minister Janez Janša, joined by Počivalšek and Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec, held a meeting with the country's leading fuel retailers on Monday evening to discuss the stockpiles and supplies of oil derivatives over the next weeks and measures to ensure undisrupted supply even if supplies from Russia are suspended.

Počivalšek said the retailers briefed them on their reserves, supply flows and issues. "We in turn told them how we see a sustainable pricing policy in the future."

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Matej Tonin described an embargo on gas and oil imports from Russia as the most powerful tool available to the West to stop Russian war in Ukraine as it would get to the "very heart" of its financing.

Such a move would be the quickest to stop the war. Thus, Slovenia's position is that the sanctions should be stepped up to the maximum at once "even if it hurts us a little".

Given that Russia provides about 12% of global oil supplies, Tonin is confident that Slovenian oil traders can find new suppliers.

Slovenia could weather the period of delays and disruption to supply with oil reserves. "With reserves, we give oil traders room for manoeuvre to secure other sources," said Tonin.

Speaking of gas, he said there had been assurances from those responsible EU stockpiles were sufficient to get through the winter and spring as efforts were under way to replenish the stocks to the maximum extent.

Production could be stepped up by some European countries such as Norway while the EU is also in talks with the Arab world to increase supplies, he added.

The Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry urged the government today to secure farmers fuel to work the land from commodity reserves in case of disrupted supplies, warning that the fallout from the war was huge already.

08 Mar 2022, 12:18 PM

Priest's Comment on Women in Sports Wins Year’s “Most Sexist Statement”

STA, 8 March 2022 - Andrej Vončina, a priest and secondary school teacher, has been given the Silver Thistle for the most sexist statement of 2021/22 for a comment on women in professional sport.

Vončina made the statement on 17 February 2022 for the weekly Reporter. He said that "professional sport diverts women from their mission while their biological clock is ticking. Professional sports also has many damaging factors that destroy women. It is similar in other areas as well. Heritage is not to be ignored and it says exactly where a woman can reach her full potential and where she is free."

The statement reveals how narrow-minded its author is, reducing women to their reproductive function and paradoxically claiming that women will be free only if they limit themselves in making decisions, said the organisers, the gender issues portal Spol.si and the organisers of the feminist and queer festival Red Dawns.

Sexist statements had been collected all year, with the public nominating statements published in various media and on social networks.

A total of 13 statements were shortlisted and put to an online vote between 21 February and 4 March. 552 people cast their vote.

08 Mar 2022, 10:27 AM

Fuel Prices Reach Record Levels in Slovenia

STA, 8 March 2022 - Prices at the pump surged on Tuesday with both diesel and regular petrol reaching all-time highs due to high prices of oil on the global markets and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

Regular petrol cost between EUR 1,555 and EUR 1,564 and diesel was between EUR 1,662 and EUR 1,670 depending on provider. Along motorways prices are even higher, by a few cents on average.

Prices have been rising for several weeks but have now surged by up to five cents per litre in a single day and in some cases even more.

In anticipation of the price hike, there were long queues at service stations yesterday evening as people rushed to fill up, leading to fuel shortages at some smaller service stations.

Slovenia fully liberalised fuel prices in October 2020. Before that, only prices along motorways were fully liberalised.

Fuel retailers have said they have sufficient reserves and do not expect supply disruptions in the coming days.

Senior government officials held a meeting with top executives of the three largest fuel retailers in the country - Petrol, OMV and MOL - last night.

The government did not reveal the details of the talks beyond saying the discussion revolved around reserves and supplies in the coming weeks, and supplies in the event fuel shipments from Russia are interrupted.

08 Mar 2022, 10:04 AM

Women's Day Marked in Slovenia

STA, 8 March 2022 - Calls against a deteriorating situation of women in society will be in the spotlight of this year's International Women's Day events in Slovenia. A number of events are planned, including a rally in Ljubljana at which NGOs and trade unions will highlight inequalities in various fields and call for respecting women's rights.

The rally will call for a decent minimum wage as well as for teaching about gender stereotypes at school and expanding screening programmes to more age groups.

Calls to parties to field women candidates in their traditionally electable districts for the April general election will also be made, Women's Lobby head Ana Kalin has told the STA.

"New parties, which still don't know in which districts they can win a seat in parliament, should make sure the share of women on lists of candidates is 50%," she says.

It is important that Slovenian law sets down quotas, but this is not enough to ensure that more women are elected to parliament, she says.

This issue will be debated by National Council, the upper chamber of parliament, which will host a panel on women's participation in politics.

At the Ljubljana Faculty of Arts, the Days of Gender Equality will open featuring a number of events focussing on equal rights and opportunities until 13 April.

The City of Women will give out the Women about Women award, which is conferred on "women for fighting for a better world".

The STA and the commission for equal opportunities in science, a Ministry of Education advisory body, will host an online discussion on women scientists in the media.

Work-life balance will be in the focus of an event organised by the ZSSS confederation of trade unions to present a review of this concept in collective bargaining agreements.

Minister Janez Cigler Kralj said the view of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities is that the "acquired women's rights are untouchable" while the ministry also gives special attention to measures leading to a more equal labour market, including work-life balance.

The war in Ukraine has strongly affected the lives of women, which calls for being even more aware of the importance of women in society, he added in a message.

Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina on the other hand said education and awareness raising is key to enhance gender equality as women are still prevalent in low paid jobs, there are too few in leadership positions, while they also often face violence.

He welcomed last year's redefinition of rape to reflect only-yes-means-yes international standards, urged safeguarding the rights previous generations acquired and cautioned against "shifts towards retraditionalisation".

Mira, the women writers' section of the Slovenian PEN, warned that female writers are not equally represented in the curricula and the texts at high school leaving exams. "Teaching literature without including female authors is misleading and wrong," reads its 8 March message, signed also by several well known authors and artists, members of PEN, the Association of Libraries and the Women's Lobby.

The Nurses and Midwives Association highlighted the fact that in Slovenia, women account for over 85% of all employees in this sector while they have little say in deciding on health policy. Apart from improving working conditions and pay, a better work-life balance should be secured and career development enabled.

In a statement before International Women's Day, SOS Telephone, a helpline for victims of domestic violence, said that women's rights are constantly violated, which can lead to femicides.

Statistics show that an average women in Slovenia, one of the four EU members with more men than women, was 45.1 years old in 2021, almost 3 years more than an average man and almost 2 more than in 2011.

Nearly 30% of women in Slovenia have completed tertiary education; the share has been larger than the share of men with tertiary education ever since 2011.

Life expectancy for girls born in Slovenia in 2020 is 83.4 years, which compares to 77.8 years for boys.

Early Statistics Office figures show that an average monthly gross pay in 2020 was just over EUR 1,900 for women and EUR 1,955 for men.

Preliminary Eurostat figures meanwhile show that the pay gap in Slovenia in 2020 was among the narrowest in the EU-27, at 3.1%.

The initiative to celebrate a day dedicated to women was given at an international conference of socialist women in Copenhagen in 1910 by German communist Clara Zetkin.

The day was first marked in 1911 in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark, but on different days. The same year it was marked in the Slovenian city of Trbovlje.

In 1977, the UN General Assembly declared 8 March International Women's Day in remembrance of the day in 1857 when textile workers in New York protested against inhumane working conditions and low wages.

08 Mar 2022, 04:14 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday, 8 March 2022

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:

Almost 400 Ukrainian refugees seek asylum in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 381 Ukrainian citizens have stated their intention to ask for international protection in Slovenia, police data shows. Meeting Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Brodovych, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said Slovenia was prepared for increased numbers of Ukrainian refugees and would provide capacities as needed. He reiterated Slovenia's support for Ukraine as the Ukrainian ambassador thanked Slovenia for its aid, a release from the ministry said.

Queues at petrol stations in expectation of fuel price hikes

LJUBLJANA - After media reports that fuel prices will go up significantly on Tuesday due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, queues formed at service stations around the country. Some stations temporarily ran out of diesel fuel. The newspaper Finance reported the price of diesel could reach a new record on Tuesday, at EUR 1.65 a litre. PM Janez Janša said there was no need to panic as Slovenia had sufficient supplies, announcing additional government measures in case of radical retail price hikes.

Poll shows Slovenians deeply pessimistic over Ukraine war

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian public see the war in Ukraine as a much bigger cause for concern than they did Covid-19 at any time of the pandemic. A poll conducted by Valicon in Slovenia and three other countries in the region puts the rate of people being personally concerned about the war and its impact at 85, which compares to the high of 72 during the Covid-19 pandemic. 71% of respondents in Slovenia blame Russia for the war, 37% the US and 22% NATO, 17% Ukraine and 11% the EU. Several answers were possible.

Facade of Russian-owned mill causes upset over Ukraine war

JESENICE - The facade of the steel maker SIJ Acroni's cold rolling mill in Koroška Bela has upset some employees and residents. They believe the building's yellow and blue facade with a red star and sickle on top is a provocation related to the war in Ukraine. The SIJ group, owned by the Russian Zubitsky family since 2017, rejected the allegation. It said the star had been placed on the building's roof as a workers' symbol a few decades ago, with the facade painted last year to match the auxiliary facility.

RTV Slovenija staff protest against increasing pressure

LJUBLJANA - RTV Slovenija journalists held a news conference to demand full editorial independence and protest against deteriorating working conditions, mobbing and political pressure. They pointed to unwarranted criticism from the Government Communication Office. TV Slovenija journalists also protested after Jadranka Rebernik was appointed editor-in-chief of TV news programmes instead of a candidate backed by the staff. The journalists' association DNS and trade union labelled the appointment unlawful.

Opposition boycotts session on diplomatic appointments

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee held a session to hear the remaining presentations by candidates for Slovenia's future ambassadors. After the first six candidates for ambassadorial positions, who are expected to be posted abroad in the summer, were presented to the committee in mid-February, today's closed-door session heard another five. The centre-left opposition staged a walk-out because they received the relevant documents only at the session itself.

SDS moves back to top spot in latest Mediana poll

LJUBLJANA - The ruling Democrats (SDS) gained 3.3 percentage points to 18.3% in the latest poll conducted by Mediana to return on top, leapfrogging the Freedom Movement, the party of Robert Golob. The latter lost 2.2 points to 18%. The Social Democrats (SD)are in third at 7.7%, up by 1.1 points. The government's rating improved compared to the previous month as President Borut Pahor continues to top the list of the most popular politicians, followed by Golob and National Council Speaker Alojz Kovšca.

SDS withdraws lawsuit against Šarec

LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) have withdrawn a lawsuit against Marjan Šarec, the leader of the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), over comments he made in March 2020 concerning the party's methods and financing. Layer Franci Matoz did not provide the grounds for the withdrawal. The Mladina magazine, which first reported the news last week, said the party was certain to lose the suit given that a court had previously cleared sociologist Rudi Rizman, who was sued by the party over similar comments.

No more face masks at schools

LJUBLJANA - Kids and staff at schools no longer have to wear face masks from today. Masks remain obligatory in all other indoor public spaces. The relaxation, approved by the government last week, applies to kindergartens, schools and universities. Slovenia phased out a number of coronavirus restrictions on 21 February, including mandatory self-testing at schools and the Covid pass in most settings, with the latter remaining applicable at health organisations, care homes and prisons.

Cases up 16% week-on-week on Sunday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 746 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, a week-on-week increase of 16% that comes two weeks after a substantial relaxation of restrictions. This was the third day in a row that cases were up on the weekly basis. The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 continued to drop and stood at 1,140, whereas the seven-day average of new daily cases rose slightly to 1,656. Covid-19 hospitalisations dropped to 255, of which 74 in intensive care. Six patients died, shows official data.

Fewer cancer cases detected during epidemic

LJUBLJANA - Launching a five-day cancer awareness campaign, Sonja Tomšič, the coordinator of the Slovenian cancer management programme, said that 30% fewer cancer diagnoses than usually were set during the first wave of Covid-19 and about 10% fewer in the next waves. However, fewer diagnoses do not mean less cancer. Now that the epidemic is waning, the number of newly discovered cases is again as expected but "we still haven't made up for the delay in discovery" caused by the epidemic, she said.

Violence against women on the rise during epidemic

LJUBLJANA - Experts taking part in an online debate on femicide organised by SOS Telephone, a helpline for victims of domestic violence, ahead of International Women's Da, said that five to seven murders of women within a family or partnership are recorded in Slovenia every year. They also warned of a rise in femicide during the Covid-19 epidemic. Mirjam Kline from the Supreme State Prosecutors' Office said in about half of the cases, victims decided not to file charges.

Exports up 20.5% y/y in January as imports surge 52%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia exported EUR 3.5 billion worth of goods in January, or 20.5% more than in the same month last year, while imports surged by 52.1% to EUR 3.9 billion, the Statistics Office said. A trade deficit of EUR 400 million was thus recorded for the exports-to-imports coverage of 89.2%. Exports to the EU member states were up by 28.8% year-on-year to EUR 2.4 billion, while imports from these countries increased by 38% to EUR 2.4 billion.

Bad bank again selling its 13% stake in Cinkarna Celje

LJUBLJANA - The Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC) is soliciting binding bids for its 12.83% stake in the chemical company Cinkarna Celje. The deadline for submissions in what is a new attempt by the state-owned bad bank to sell the stake is 6 April, shows the announcement published in the business newspaper Finance. BAMC has been without its voting rights in the Celje-based company since January, as the statutory deadline for the bad bank to sell the assets it had acquired before 2016 is expiring.

Ljubljana refuge of Syrian writer Souzan Ali

LJUBLJANA - Syrian author Souzan Ali has been living in Ljubljana since last summer after she sought refuge in Slovenia's capital under the UNESCO City of Literature programme and the ICORN network of cities helping persecuted writers and other artists. Ali is on a writing residency at the Slovenian Pen Centre. Her work was presented on the eve of International Women's Day. Ljubljana has so far welcomed six refugees in cooperation with the ICORN network, which includes 75 cities, mostly in Europe.

Križnar wins Raw Air, Bogataj third

OSLO, Norway - Nika Križnar won the Raw Air ski jumping tour in Norway after placing fourth in the final event on Sunday. Olympic champion Urša Bogataj finished second in the final event for third place overall, behind Sara Takanashi of Japan. "I'm not too pleased with my jumping since I made quite a few mistakes. But winning the tour is something special, I'm really happy about that," said Križnar, the second ever winner of Raw Air after back-to-back wins by Maren Lundby.

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