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This summary is provided by the STA:
Slovenia sees daily coronavirus count nearly double to 356
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia saw a new record daily increase in coronavirus infections as those nearly doubled to 356 on Tuesday after a record 3,998 coronavirus tests were performed, data from the government show. The total number of cases has now passed 7,000 and hospitalisations hit a record 122, with 22 patients requiring intensive care. There were no new Covid-19-related fatalities. There are 2,426 active cases currently in the country, data from the tracker site covid-19.sledilnik.org show.
Opposition in talks to form alternative government
LJUBLJANA - Economist Jože P. Damijan, supported by a group of acclaimed scholars and artists, has offered to spearhead a centre-left Constitutional Arch Coalition meant to become an alternative to the Janez Janša government that is, they believe, turning Slovenia into "an illiberal democracy". The leaders of the four centre-left opposition parties confirmed talks were under way. The four parties have a combined 39 seats in the 90-strong National Assembly, so they will also invite the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) to join the talks, but first statements from the two parties suggest they are not impressed by the initiative.
Ministry stresses importance of credible EU enlargement policy
LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry responded on the enlargement package for the Western Balkan and Turkey, which the EU Commission presented on Tuesday, stressing the importance of a credible enlargement policy for peace, stability, security and economic growth of Europe. Slovenia supports the Commission's economic and investment plan, it said in a reference to a document, envisaging up to EUR 9 billion in support to the region in 2021-2027, and EUR 20 billion in potential investment.
Government in Koroška for its first regional visit
SLOVENJ GRADEC - The government paid its first regional visit, travelling to the northern region of Koroška, which in addition to topical issues related to Covid-19 has faced long-standing issues of being cut off from major road routes, and struggling with high unemployment rate and above-average population ageing. The visit featured a series of meetings, including to discuss the Covid-19 situation and the related shortage of doctors.
Črna na Koroškem declared Covid-19 danger zone
SLOVENJ GRADEC - The government has formally declared Črna na Koroškem, site of a major coronavirus outbreak at a residential facility for people with mental disabilities, Slovenia's first Covid-19 danger zone. The declaration, effective today, makes the municipality eligible for aid but does not involve restrictions on movement. "It will make things easier... All it means is the possibility of extra staffing assistance and fewer legal obstacles," the minister said in Slovenj Gradec, one of the stops on the government's day-long tour of the Koroška region.
Pahor and Van der Bellen issue statement ahead of Carinthia plebiscite
LJUBLJANA - By jointly attending the 10 October event marking the 100th anniversary of the Carinthian plebiscite, which left part of Slovenians in Austria, "we remember the past which unites our countries", President Borut Pahor and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen stressed in their joint statement prior to the centenary.
Researcher Jerala points to opportunities and pitfalls of genetic scissors
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian researcher Roman Jerala has labelled the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the two scientists who discovered the CRISPR gene editing tool as long expected. Jerala, who is convinced that this technology will also allow taking on inherited diseases "definitely within ten years or more likely five", pointed to the ethical challenges involved. The scientist, who is also working on improvements for the CRISPR method, made a point of highlighting the ethical dilemmas that such gene-altering technology raises, saying that like most other inventions it could be used for good or for bad purposes.
Public sector unions say regulator merger plan unacceptable
LJUBLJANA - The Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KSJS) assessed the government's plan to merge eight independent agencies into two super-agencies as unacceptable, and expects that social partners will be invited when new legislative changes towards possible streamlining of public administration are drafted.
Committee rejects Left-sponsored changes to STA act
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Culture Committee voted down a proposal by the opposition Left that would require the English desk of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) to report about NGOs and voluntary work in Slovenia, a legal requirement already in place for the agency's Slovenian news service. Representing the government, Miro Petek said that existing legislation already allows the STA to report about all important issues, both in Slovenian and English.
Slovenian MEPs split on 60% CO2 emissions cut
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia's eight MEPs have differing views on the European Parliament's somewhat surprising support for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by 60% compared to 1990. European People's Party (EPP) MEPs think this will have a negative impact on the economy, whereas the members of the S&D and Renew groups welcome the ambitious target. The current CO2 reduction target until the end of the decade is 40%, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a 55% target last month.
Half of Slovenian MEPs met with lobbyists so far
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Half of Slovenia's eight MEPs have so far received at least one group of lobbyists, which puts them slightly above the average in the European parliament. A total of 27 meetings between lobbyists and Slovenia's current MEPs have been held so far, showed data available at the Integrity Watch web portal.
Tinta comics festival focuses on exhibitions this year
LJUBLJANA - The international comics festival Tinta kicked off in Ljubljana and three other cities. Until Sunday, the festival will focus on comic book exhibition projects and bring a selection of contemporary Slovenian and international production. The programme remains comparable to previous years despite the restrictions brought by the pandemic, said the organisers.
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