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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša sees Slovenia among 15 most competitive countries
LJUBLJANA - Addressing an AmCham event, PM Janez Janša said Slovenia had the potential to become one of the 15 most competitive countries in the world, which could be achieved by improving the supporting system for business, de-bureaucratisation and a more efficient public sector. He noted the country ranked 35th among 63 countries in the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, but given its potential it could easily rank much higher. He assessed Slovenia lagged in terms of the support environment provided by the state.
Janša says stricter measures not needed at the moment
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša said that despite a higher number of Covid-19 cases than in the first wave, hospitalisation figures in Slovenia were still manageable and did not yet call for stricter measures. Addressing an AmCham Slovenia event, he said Slovenia was still in "the orange zone". The government has already drawn up plans for the future and will present them beforehand, with the measures also depending on hospital bed occupancy numbers.
99 test positive for coronavirus in 2,382 tests on Monday
LJUBLJANA - A total of 99 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 were confirmed in 2,382 tests on Monday, while no deaths were recorded, show most recent data released by the government. The national Covid-19 tracker site shows there were 1,656 active cases in Slovenia, with 84 patients requiring hospital care, including 16 in intensive care. The figures indicate Slovenia is flattening the curve of contagion, after a record 192 new cases on Thursday.
Logar talks shared 2021 EU presidency in Portugal
LISBON, Portugal - Foreign minister Anže Logar and his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva discussed their countries' upcoming stints at the presidency of the Council of the EU as Logar Lisbon. The ministers agreed that both countries shared views on many European and international issues, including the need for the EU's solidarity, unity and resilience in face of current and future global challenges. Portugal will hold the presidency in the first half of 2021 and Slovenia in the second.
PM to seek agriculture minister's dismissal
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša agreed with coalition partners to ask parliament to dismiss Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec after she declined to step down herself. Announcing the decision after a meeting of coalition parties, Tomaž Gantar, Pivec's interim replacement as the leader of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), said he expected the National Assembly to take a vote on Pivec's dismissal next week. The date is to be determined at a meeting of deputy faction leaders on Friday.
Minister Černač advocates flexible cohesion policy
LJUBLJANA - Zvonko Černač, the minister without portfolio for development and European cohesion policy, called for a flexible, simplified and goal-oriented approach to cohesion policy in the EU's next multi-annual financial framework, as he addressed a high-level debate hosted by the German EU presidency. "We need to understand that member states have individual needs when it comes to recovery and future investments. National authorities know best which individual sectors have been hit hardest, which is why bureaucracy cannot judge what the most important things are for an individual country," he said.
Amendments passed to improve social security of soldiers
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed changes to the defence act, allowing some soldiers to stay on duty even after turning 45, while others will be employed by other state bodies without a pay cut. The changes were passed with the support of opposition Social Democrats (SD), Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) and National Party (SNS). The amendments simplify reassignment of service members over the age of 45 to other state bodies and introduce several other solutions aimed at increasing the appeal of the military profession.
Parliament enacts Sunday shopping ban
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed legislation that will close stores on Sundays and public holidays with the exception of small shops at places such as service stations, airports, train and bus stations and in hospitals and other small shops where the customers will be served by proprietors themselves with the assistance of students and pensioners. The amendments to the retail act, sponsored by the opposition Left, were passed by 72 votes to 13 with bipartisan support.
Parliament amends prosecution act
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed amendments to the state prosecution act under which a prosecutor's decision to dismiss charges for offences carrying more than three years in prison will have to be signed off by the head of the prosecution service. For offences carrying prison sentences of eight or more years, the head of the prosecution will need to consult two other prosecutors before endorsing the decision of the prosecutor in charge of the case. This is when the prosecutor has found no signs of criminal offence alleged or no reasonable suspicion the alleged act has been committed.
Slovenian-Chinese business council set up at GZS
LJUBLJANA - A Slovenian-Chinese business council was set up at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) on Monday to strengthen cooperation and business relations between the two countries. More than 30 founding members decided for the move to create better conditions for strengthening the ties and friendship between Slovenia and China, and help companies access the Chinese market. "It is essential for Slovenian companies to cooperate with the world; being involved in international business operations is key for creating added value," GZS director general Sonja Šmuc was quoted as saying.
No interest in Adria Airways brand
BRNIK - The brand of the bankrupt Slovenian air carrier Adria Airways has attracted no interest even after the asking price was halved to EUR 50,000 in the second attempt to sell the brand. No bidder paid the EUR 10,000 security deposit by 11am on Tuesday, the official receiver Janez Pustatičnik told the STA after the deadline passed on Monday at midnight. So far only the air carrier's operating licence has been sold, for EUR 45,000, but the buyer, Air Adriatic, has been granted an extension to revive it.
Trade union wants free face masks for everyone in education
LJUBLJANA - The SVIZ trade union of teachers called on the government to provide face masks for all participants in the education process, from kindergarten to university, in the fifth stimulus package. The union also called on the government to hire more staff to lift the burden off the "tired and overburdened staff at kindergartens and schools". It denied claims by PM Janez Janša that the trade union opposed the wearing of masks at kindergartens and schools.
Survey shows some 6% do not wear masks where required
LJUBLJANA - A survey conducted by Mediana suggests Slovenians usually wear masks but do not agree on whether these should remain mandatory in schools. Nine out of ten respondents said they usually wear masks where mandatory or recommended, and nearly 70% said they always put on a mask in such situations and a quarter said they do usually. However, 4% said they usually do not wear a mask when required, while nearly 2% said they never wear a mask. Nearly 50% believe masks should no longer be mandatory at schools, while 30% believe the reverse.
Slovenia observes first Intl Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia marked the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste with the main message from NGOs being that consumers will have to change their habits and attitude towards food to generate less food waste and thus protect the environment as well as natural resources. To mark the event, the Slovenian Consumer Association (ZPS) signed a statement with other stakeholders, from the state administration and business organisations on cooperation in reducing food loss and waste.
A third of govt tourist vouchers redeemed
LJUBLJANA - More than 820,000 electronic tourist vouchers worth over EUR 113 million, a third of the total sum available, were partly or fully redeemed until Monday, data from the Financial Administration show. The Economy Ministry said a recent survey had shown 90% of Slovenian residents intended to spend the vouchers by the deadline at the end of the year. The poll, carried out by Valicon between 18 and 21 September, showed 36% had already spent their vouchers, whereas 50% still intended to do so.
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