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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:
Cerar quits party he founded after SMC joins Janša coalition
LJUBLJANA - Miro Cerar, Slovenia's outgoing foreign minister, announced he was quitting the party he founded, saying the Modern Centre Party (SMC) lost its face after joining the new coalition led by Janez Janša of the right-wing Democrats (SDS). While not yet saying if he will return to serve as MP, Cerar acknowledged he had "seriously considered [SMC head] Zdravko Počivalšek's proposal to head the National Assembly", but only so "the SMC could protect the principle of the division of power and serve as a liberal corrective to a right-wing government". Revealing the offer to Cerar had in fact been withdrawn, Počivalšek said the party needed to undergo a consolidation and go forward.
PM: Slovenia will have to react quickly if migrations surge
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will have to react very quickly if migrations increase after Turkey decided to open its borders with Greece, outgoing Prime Minister Marjan Šarec told reporters. Šarec said Slovenia would act in line with an agreement with other European countries. But if no such agreement is reached, it will have to rely on its own forces, he added. "We will not be able to allow people to cross the country freely without papers. So we are preparing all possible scenarios." Legislative changes granting additional powers to the army are ready and may be confirmed by parliament as needed.
Lenarčič says cooperation needed to contain coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič underscored the need for joint action in the combat against the novel coronavirus, saying in a televised debate last night that it was an illusion to think an individual country could successfully contain the outbreak. Appearing on TV Slovenija, the Slovenian commissioner said that the epidemic should be taken seriously although panic was uncalled for. Commenting on Turkey's decision to open its borders to let migrants head to the EU, Lenarčič said "the EU counts on Turkey to abide by the agreement and not to allow an uncontrolled flow of refugees or migrants to the west".
Business welcomes agreement to form a new coalition, unions mission reform plans
LJUBLJANA - The Association of Employers said a new government as soon as possible was the best solution and AmCham Slovenija also welcomed the signing of the agreement to form a new, centre-right coalition, including the intention to reduce administrative barriers and upgrade the tax system. ZSSS trade union confederation head Lidija Jerkič on the other hand noted the document said nothing about an overhaul or reform of the pension, health or tax systems, or the employment relationships act.
SDS opens huge gap to LMŠ in Nova24TV poll
LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) have increased their lead in the latest weekly poll commissioned by the private broadcaster Nova24TV, despite losing voter support compared to a week ago. The SDS polled at 20.4% this time, as much as 7.2 percentage points ahead of the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) of the outgoing prime minister, on 13.2%. The SDS, the party at the centre of an incoming right-wing government, polled at 22.4% a week ago and the LMŠ at 16.2%. The SocDems replaced the Left in third after gaining 2.5 points to 7.8%.
SocDem leader seeking cooperation agreement on the left
LJUBLJANA - The leader of the Social Democrats (SD) called on fellow centre-left parties that will soon be relegated to the opposition to forge a cooperation agreement after Janez Janša forms a conservative government."It is time that the fighting between the parties in the new opposition is pushed to the background and we look for a way to cooperate better," Dejan Židan said in an open letter to the leaders of the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Left and Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB).
European Journalist Federation concerned by threats to Slovenian journalists
LJUBLJANA - The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Slovenian Association of Journalists in condemning the "intensive attacks" on journalists reporting about alleged funding from Hungary of media close to the Democrats (SDS). The EFJ called on the Slovenian authorities to secure a safe environment for journalists. "Death threats can lead to targeted violence and endanger journalists ... Fear and violence should not be part of the journalists' daily life," said EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez.
Renault to produce electric Twingo in Slovenia
NOVO MESTO - The new electric version of the Renault Twingo, expected to be released at the end of this year, will be produced at the assembly plant Revoz in Slovenia, Revoz confirmed. Revoz is currently in the process of getting prepared for the new project, including setting up an additional facility for assembling batteries. Meanwhile, Revoz plans to complete a transition to half-night night shifts by April and thus decrease its production from 950 vehicles per day to 800. It also intends to slash the number of workers by some 250.
Triglav Group net profit increases 4% to EUR 84m in 2019
LJUBLJANA - Triglav, Slovenia's leading insurance group, saw net profit increase 4% to almost EUR 84 million in 2019 on the back of an 11% increase in gross written premiums, which totalled EUR 1.18 billion, show unaudited results. Return on equity improved marginally to 10.9% and the combined ratio, a key insurance industry benchmark, improved to 91.5% from 91.8%. Premium growth was recorded on all insurance markets and in all insurance segments. Non-life insurance premium increased by 10%, health insurance premium by 23%, and life and pension insurance premiums by 4%.
R&D spending up in 2018 after four years of decline
LJUBLJANA - After four years of decline, gross spending on research and development (R&D) increased in 2018 to almost EUR 900 million, or 11% more than in the year before, the Statistic Office said. This is however still 1 percentage point bellow the target of at least 3% of GDP invested in R&D by 2020. The Statistic Office has been monitoring data on R&D investments in the business, public, higher education and non-profit private sectors, with the business sector being the largest with 14,415 out of the total of 23,633 employees.
Ulay, German conceptual artist who lived in Slovenia, dies
LJUBLJANA - Ulay, a major contemporary visual artist best known as a pioneer of body art and collaborator of performance artist Marina Abramović, has died aged 76, Slovenian media reported on Monday. He lived between Amsterdam and Ljubljana for the past decade. In the course of his career he exhibited at major galleries including the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Centre Pompidou in Paris and the MOMA in New York.
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