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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
President Pahor nominates SDS leader Janša for prime minister
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor formally nominated Janez Janša, the leader of the Democrats (SDS), for prime minister after four parties reached an agreement to form a centre-right coalition. Having joined forces with the Modern Centre Party (SMC), New Slovenia (NSi) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), Janša can count on a slim but comfortable majority in the 90-member parliament, which has to vote on the nomination in seven days at the latest. Janša said the coalition agreement showed the four parties were willing to seek compromise solutions and would work to tackle the most pressing issues that Slovenia faces, even as he noted that only two and a half years remained until the next scheduled election.
New govt to revive conscription, secure border
LJUBLJANA - The coalition government that is being formed by Janez Janša is planning to reintroduce military conscription, effectively secure the border, decentralise the country and increase local government funding, as well as introduce a general child benefit. This follows from a 13-page draft coalition agreement obtained by the STA. Unofficial information indicates the four coalition parties have already signed the agreement.
Slovenia remains without any confirmed cases of coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - The government said that all test results for COVID-19 conducted in Slovenia so far - the results for 59 people were in by noon - had been negative. The news came in response to rampant misinformation on social media, with users widely circulating debunked rumours about alleged infections in recent days. Public institutions in Slovenia have started taking precautionary measures to protect staff against coronavirus infections, including by cancelling some events, although the Health Ministry says there is no reason to call off public events. Democrats (SDS) head and likely new PM Janez Janša suggested Slovenia should activate the Civil Protection Service.
Pahor does not expect breakthrough in first meeting with Milanović
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor toned down expectations ahead of a meeting with Croatian counterpart Zoran Milanović scheduled for Thursday. He said the meeting would be "very important" but would serve to establish mutual trust rather than achieve a convergence of positions. The plan is to broach border arbitration. While Croatia does not recognise the arbitration tribunal's award, the presidents will discuss how it may be possible to determine the course of the border as set by the arbitration tribunal in a reasonable time, Pahor told the press.
Serbia sells 83% of Komercijalna Banka to NLB for EUR 387m
LJUBLJANA/BELGRADE, Serbia - The Slovenian NLB bank announced it had signed an agreement with the Serbian government to acquire the 83% state stake in the bank Komercijalna Banka. The deal worth EUR 387 million is pending regulatory approval and is expected to be finalised in the last quarter of the year. As a result of the transaction, NLB's market share in Serbia will increase to over 12.1% by total assets, making it the third largest banking group in the country, the Slovenian bank added.
Slovenia making little progress in tackling key socio-economic challenges
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia has made little progress in tackling key socio-economic challenges the country faces, including one of the financially most important issues, the long-term care of its ageing population, shows a European Commission report. Some progress has been achieved in the professionalisation and independent oversight in public procurement, and in labour market policies that increase the employability of low-skilled and older workers by improving labour market relevance of education and training. Limited progress was also detected in economic policies facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Central Slovenia to get EUR 93 million for development projects
LJUBLJANA - Central Slovenia, one of Slovenia's 12 statistical regions, will get EUR 93 million in EU and state subsidies for 21 development projects under an agreement signed on Wednesday. Just over EUR 45 million of the total funding comes from EU cohesion funds, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said after signing a supplementary regional development agreement with Metod Ropret, the head of the Osrednjeslovenska Development Council. A combined EUR 67.5 million will be invested in fourteen projects promoting multi-modal urban mobility.
Analysts say new coalition long-term project, disagree on SMC
LJUBLJANA - Commenting on the formation of a new coalition around the Democrats (SDS), analysts agreed that the four-party coalition is a long-term project, while disagreeing on the role and strength of what is seen as the key partner, the Modern Centre Party (SMC). Slovenia will get a centre-right government with a noticeable left-leaning touch, Andraž Zorko of the pollster Valicon has told the STA, pointing to the SMC as the weakest link due to being the one which could tear the future government apart. Meanwhile, Rok Čakš of the news portal Domovina assessed that the SMC is "without doubt the biggest winner" of the coalition talks, while NSi could be less satisfied, but is not a loser as it will assume responsibility for relatively important departments.
Two Slovenian regions eligible for EU green transition funds
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Two Slovenian regions, Savinjska in the east and the central Zasavska region, are among a hundred EU regions eligible for financing from the EU fund for a fair green transition. The regions picked are either heavily dependant on coal or have the highest carbon emissions, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said. Some EUR 7.5 billion have been set aside for the fund, of which EUR 92 million have been allocated to Slovenia.
Watchdog takes action against 2018 attempted takeover if Cinkarna
LJUBLJANA - The securities market watchdog has taken action against the Vienna-based Ring International Holding over market manipulation related to its attempted takeover of Cinkarna Celje. The private company published a takeover intent in June 2018 after manipulating the market to reduce the price of the chemical company's shares.
Slovenia spearheading right to healthy environment campaign
GENEVA, Switzerland - Foreign Ministry State Secretary Matej Marn, who attended the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, said that a group of countries led by Slovenia would start a discussion on declaring a right to a healthy environment at a global level. Marn highlighted Slovenia's commitment to international law, respecting human rights and effective multilateralism and pointed at the influence of the technological and AI development on human rights.
Debate hears green path, circular economy a must for Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - A panel debate on the European green deal saw Environment Minister Simon Zajc claim that a green path is a must for Slovenia as it would otherwise remain too dependent on foreign countries. He also pointed to the importance of circular economy, as those who fail to adopt it would very soon fall out of competition. Speaking at the event hosted by the newspaper Finance and BKS Bank, the minister noted that the new European Commission had set very ambitious and determined goals in the environment and transition to zero-carbon society.
Pahor decorates former Justice Minister Šturm
LJUBLJANA - Former justice minister and Constitutional Court judge Lovro Šturm received the Silver Order for Services from President Borut Pahor. Pahor also conferred the Order for Services on former Ljubljana mayor Jože Strgar and Slovenski Dom, a Slovenian cultural association from Zagreb. Šturm was honoured for his "extraordinary contribution to the implementation of the rule of law and the Constitution".
Slovenia donates EUR 30,000 for aid to Yemen
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia has donated EUR 30,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian aid to Yemen, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, adding that Slovenia has thus fulfilled its obligation for this year stemming from the pledge given at the donor conference for Yemen in Geneva a year ago. Slovenia promised in Geneva to donate EUR 100,000 to WFP for Yemen between 2019 and 2021. The donation announced today fulfils the country's obligation for this year.
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