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This summary is provided by the STA:
25 Covid-19 patients die as hospitalisations keep rising
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's death toll from Covid-19 rose to 388 after 25 more patients died on Sunday. There were 557 new cases from 2,244 tests, as the share of positive tests declined to just under 25%, however government coronavirus spokesman Jelko Kacin warned that Sunday data were atypical. Covid-19 hospitalisations rose to 868, of whom 135 are in intensive care. The rolling 14-day average of new cases per 100,000 residents rose to 1,075 and the number of active cases to 22,521. Epidemiologist Irena Grmek Košnik warned the third wave of coronavirus was expected during the flu season in late December.
Opposition speaks of brutal staffing, govt finds it legal and vital
LJUBLJANA - The four centre-left opposition parties accused the government of brutal staffing and of undermining the independence of sovereign institutions as the National Assembly held a session on the topic at their behest. While the opposition sees the replacements as guided primarily by party affiliation and servility as opposed to competence and as excessive and inappropriate during a health crisis, the government and coalition parties insisted that the replacements had been legal, were normal under all governments and that having the right personnel was crucial for effective work.
US ambassador says good relations with Slovenia to remain priority
LJUBLJANA - Good relations with Slovenia will remain a priority for the US regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's presidential election, US Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard said in a video address, published on the embassy's Twitter. "The importance of our defence relationship, drive to strengthen economic ties, and ever-expanding cooperation and collaboration between the people of our two countries will remain at the forefront," the ambassador said.
Slovenian SocDems hope for Donald Trump's defeat
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Social Democrats (SD) discussed the US election's ramification's for the world, with MP Matjaž Nemec saying Donald Trump's challenger Joe Biden's win would mean a change for the better in terms of democracy, dialogue and multilateralism. He believes this will be a watershed election also because Trump's victory would give populists in Europe fresh momentum. Jernej Štromajer, who works for the SD deputy group and holds a PhD in American studies, believes the election will be foremost a referendum on Trump and his rule. "Biden's greatest advantage is that he is not Trump," he said. Research fellow Nina Pejič believe no significant change in US foreign policy could be expected with Biden as president, although she thinks Trump will win.
Bankers discuss path from crisis to sustainability
LJUBLJANA - The need to direct the recovery measures for the current crisis towards socially responsible and sustainable development and the crucial role of banks in this endeavour was at the centre of this year's Day of Slovenian Bankers event, held online. Stanislava Zadravec Caprirolo, the head the Bank Association, pointed to the drastic shift from discussions about trade wars, Brexit, economic slowdown, unsustainable pollution and inequality growth at the start of the year to current debates on the preservation of job and liquidity. Along with central bank governor Boštjan Vasle, she noted a favourable liquidity situation in Slovenia. Vasle also praised fiscal measures, in particular the moratorium on loan payments.
RTV Slovenija director general stays on
LJUBLJANA - The programme council of public broadcaster RTV Slovenija did not adopt a motion proposed by 13 councillors to dismiss director general Igor Kadunc. The 14:9 vote in favour was one vote short of the necessary majority on the 29-member council to dismiss him. The motion was put forward in October accusing Kadunc of working negligently and causing significant damage to RTV. They claimed he was responsible for RTV operating in the red between 2017 and 2019 and of failing to draw up a number of documents. Kadunc rejected all the allegations, saying the motive for the dismissal was changing editorial policy. Earlier in the day, the parliamentary Culture Committee discussed the dismissal attempt, with the left-leaning opposition parties arguing it was meant to facilitate the government's taking control of the public broadcaster, while the coalition MPs said the session was a form of pressure on RTV councillors not to sack Kadunc.
Public Health Institute gets EU funds to fight coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - The Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy approved almost EUR 6 million in EU funding to the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) for measures to fight the spread of coronavirus, including for support staff and equipment. The NIJZ will beef up epidemiological services by securing and training support staff, activating mobile teams and procuring office space and equipment. It will also raise awareness about preventing Covid-19 and support self-isolating individuals.
Employment prospects for 2021 fairly encouraging
LJUBLJANA - Job prospect projections in Slovenia for next year remain relatively encouraging despite the aggravated circumstances. A survey by the Employment Service suggests demand will exceed labour market supply in many professions, although the opposite is also possible for a long list of jobs. The Occupations barometer survey, which includes assessments for 177 professions, suggests demand will for instance exceed supply in healthcare, construction, transport, hospitality and in information technology.
Borzen gets new boss
LJUBLJANA - Martin Bratanič was appointed by the supervisory board as the new director general of power market operator Borzen, taking over on Sunday, 1 November. He came to Borzen from the Posavje regional development agency, which he led since 2010. He has also served as a supervisor of the SODO state-owned electricity distribution system operator since April. The top post at Borzen had been vacant since Karol Peter Peršolja resigned in September.
Food delivery platforms growing due to lockdown
LJUBLJANA - The closure of restaurants as part of the Covid-19 lockdown measures has resulted in a steep rise in turnover for food delivery platforms in Slovenia such as E-hrana and Wolt, whose couriers on bicycles can be seen buzzing around major Slovenian cities all the time. E-hrana, the Slovenian company started in 2011, covers more than 400 restaurants around the country, 150 of which have joined during the pandemic. Finland-based Wolt added 70 new restaurants from Ljubljana and Maribor in the second wave.
EasyJet not to fly to Ljubljana until next year
LJUBLJANA - EasyJet has postponed the resumption of scheduled flights to Ljubljana airport until next year due to the worsening coronavirus situation, according to a report by the Ex-Yu Aviation news portal. After a break in November, the British low-cost carrier had been planning to resume flights from London Gatwick to Ljubljana in December. The service has now been delayed until 1 January 2021. Air France announced yesterday it was suspending flights to Ljubljana starting from 7 November.
Libraries partly reopening
LJUBLJANA - Libraries are reopening after being exempt from lockdown restrictions. They will adjust their opening hours and the lending regime to the coronavirus situation in their town. Where the number of active cases is not very high, libraries will operate normally, while elsewhere contactless book checkouts and returns will be introduced. The head of the Slovenian libraries' association, Vesna Horžen, urged readers to check the opening hours and regime of their library before visiting.
Ana Belac attains greatest achievement for Slovenian golf ever
CHARLOTTE, US - Ana Belac won the women's Carolina Classic golf tournament on Saturday in what is by far the greatest success for Slovenian golf ever. By winning the US$200,000 tournament four shots ahead of the American Allison Emrey, the 23-year-old Portorož-born golfer came very close to making it to the world elite in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), having taken second place in the overall rankings of the Symetra Tour, the entry point for the LPGA.
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