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This summary is provided by the STA:
National Museum director resigns to protect museum's reputation
LJUBLJANA - Pavel Car resigned as the director of the National Museum in Ljubljana a day after he postponed the opening of an exhibition of works by artists such as Picasso or Miro that raised serious forgery concerns. Car said the strong reaction of the general public and experts had made him realise he had made some mistakes, including entrusting the organisation of the exhibition to a wrong person. The Culture Ministry announced it will launch the selection of a new director based on professional criteria.
Peter Grum becomes tax authority chief
LJUBLJANA - The new government appointed Peter Grum acting director general of the Financial Administration. He succeeds Ivan Simič, who stepped down right after the Robert Golob government was sworn in. "Peter was my pick, I am very satisfied he made this decision," Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič said. Grum, who serves as deputy director of the tax authority in 2014-2020, said his goal was to have a professional, effective and apolitical Financial Administration.
Top court judge Pavčnik relieved of his duties
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted to relieve Constitutional Court judge Marijan Pavčnik of his duties after he asked the court that his nine-year term end early. Pavčnik will thus end his term on 31 December this year. Once President Borut Pahor is formally notified by the National Assembly that Pavčnik was relieved of his duties, he will issue a new call for applications.
Judge Pavčnik took office in March 2017 and would serve out his single nine-year term in 2026.
Govt to analyse legal bases for fines over Covid rule violations
LJUBLJANA - The government tasked the ministries of justice and home affairs to draw up an analysis of the legal bases used in procedures against individuals for breaking Covid-19 containment measures to see whether fines might have been unfair or unlawful. It also annulled all decisions taken by the previous government in December 2021 for legal actions to claim compensation for the costs of policing of anti-government rallies, Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar announced.
Stalemate over breakdown of committee chairs broken
LJUBLJANA - All but two parliamentary working bodies now have chairs and vice-chairs as the Democrats (SDS) put forward their candidates for some of these posts to break the stalemate that had been going on since late May when the party opposed the endorsed breakdown of these positions. The National Assembly unanimously today endorsed the chairs and vice-chairs of nearly all working bodies that had been left without chairmanship due to the disagreement between the SDS and other parliamentary parties.
Substitute MPs, third deputy speaker appointed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously confirmed the terms of five substitute MPs to fill in for cabinet members and appointed in a 57:7 vote Democrat (SDS) Danijel Krivc a third deputy speaker. The opposition stressed Krivec's political experience and his knowing of the parliamentary rules of procedure. Krivec is serving his sixth term as MP. Before becoming MP, he was the mayor of Bovec. The other two deputy speakers are SD MP Meira Hot and Left MP Nataša Sukič.
Govt report on 2020-2022 appointments expected in 60 days
LJUBLJANA - The Public Administration Ministry will produce a final report on a review of appointments and promotions under two previous governments within 60 days, and once the government takes note of the findings, it will share them with the public. Dragan Barbutovski, director of the Government Communications Office (UKOM), said that the intention "is in no way to dismiss people, to make any blanket changes to the staffing moves made between January 2020 and the end of May 2022, or to single out any civil servant". The sole purpose is to determine whether there have been inappropriate or even unlawful practices, he added.
Finance minister says coalition agreement will not be rushed
LJUBLJANA - Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič said the coalition agreement has outlined the direction in which the government is heading, but specific measures will have to be adapted to the state of public finances, as he responded to a recent criticism the Fiscal Council voiced about policies planned by the new government. The government advisory body said that the coalition agreement contained a series of largely general measures which go beyond a four-year term. Boštjančič told the press that he appreciated the Fiscal Council and that he was well aware of the warnings it had made.
Slovenia to remove fence from southern border by year's end
LJUBLJANA - After the new government made a promise to remove the fence from the border with Croatia, the Interior Ministry told the STA this is one of the priorities, with the removal expected by the end of the year. The ministry says it will start working on an operative plan to remove the fence this week and should complete it by the end of June. A public call will need to be published to select a contractor to remove the fence.
Days of Judiciary start with firm stance for branch's independence
ROGAŠKA SLATINA - Opening the Days of Slovenian Judiciary, parliamentary Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič promised her former colleagues she would strive to ensure the independence of the judiciary is strictly respected, that judicial decisions are upheld, and that resources are provided to ensure courts operate smoothly. Supreme Court President Damijan Florjančič said the speaker's presence inspired hope better times lay ahead when it comes to understanding and respecting the role of the judiciary
Mandatory LNG storage proposed under new bill
LJUBLJANA - The Infrastructure Ministry unveiled the draft of a bill that would require gas suppliers to secure storage in other EU countries equalling at least 15% of average annual gas volumes they sell, which is in line with a recently agreed EU regulation. The gas suppliers would have to meet the target by 1 November via direct agreement with gas storage operators or indirect agreements with other players on the gas market, according to the proposed amendments to the gas supply act. Stakeholders have until 23 June to submit comments.
Internal inquiry launched at NBI
LJUBLJANA - Acting Police Commissioner Boštjan Lindav ordered an internal inquiry at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The inquiry was initiated to clarify claims of alleged irregularities in certain investigations related to the procurement of epidemic-related protective equipment and other investigations. Several media reports in recent months have alleged that the NBI is taking an unusually long time with some major investigations.
Vasilka Sancin's candidacy for Human Rights Committee filed
NEW YORK, US - Slovenia formally filed the candidacy of international law expert Vasilka Sancin for a new term on the UN Human Rights Committee after the new government has de-blocked her re-election bid. 17 candidates are now in the running for nine vacancies. Sancin's prospects of election are considered to be low since her candidacy was filed last, after the 6 April deadline.
SDS proposes mandatory drug testing for office holders
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Democrats (SDS) tabled a bill that would require MPs, ministers, state secretaries as well as the prime minister and the president of the republic to undergo mandatory annual drug testing. "It is in the public interest to know whether Slovenian politicians take prohibited drugs," the party says.
Activists warn of attacks against LGBTIQ+ community before Pride Parade
LJUBLJANA - The association organising the annual Pride Parade Festival in Ljubljana warned of a spike in hatred and threats directed against LGBTIQ+ community in the run-up to Saturday's parade, which they partly blame on the previous government. The Pride Parade Association expressed shock after posters raising awareness about hate speech against LGBTIQ+ persons and promoting the community's inclusion had been vandalised. It also drew attention to the "distasteful" columns by Blaž Podobnik in the newspaper Delo. "We will march the more bravely and proudly this Saturday," the association said.
Large fountain stolen from Maribor city park
MARIBOR - A large bronze fountain disappeared from the Maribor city park overnight in an area where construction works are going. The Maribor police department, which suspects someone loaded the fountain onto a truck, is investigating a grand theft. The 1980 fountain Fitoliti (Phytoliths) is the work of Maribor-based sculptor Vojko Štuhec and is the only fountain in Maribor's central park.
