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This summary is provided by the STA:
Vote on demographic fund, communicable diseases bills postponed
LJUBLJANA - The coalition voted to postpone the vote on the bill creating a new demographic fund designed to shore up the pension fund, and they also voted against amendments to the communicable diseases act in a revote after they were vetoed by the upper chamber. Announcing the move at a press conference with the other two coalition leaders, PM Janez Janša said they did not want such an important topic as the demographic fund to be decided on in such a heated political situation, while he said the new communicable diseases act was not needed now after all deputy group leaders called for vaccination. Commenting on the developments, Tanja Fajon, the leader of the opposition SocDems, said they showed the coalition no loner had a majority.
Trio of presidents urge stepping up vaccination, EU enlargement to W Balkans
KOSTANJEVICA NA KRKI - The presidents of Slovenia, Austria and Croatia, Borut Pahor, Alexander Van der Bellen and Zoran Milanović, urged stepping up vaccination against Covid-19 and threw their support behind the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans, as they met in Kostanjevica na Krki in the south-east of Slovenia. They also discussed the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, with Van der Bellen saying Austria would closely monitor checks on the environmental sustainability needed to expand its life span, while it continued to be opposed to the second reactor but was aware that many EU countries depend on nuclear energy.
Parliament raises public funding of private primaries
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed in a 47:43 vote a coalition-sponsored bill to increase funds for private primary schools to implement two Constitutional Court rulings after several previous attempts to do so failed. The bill secures 100% state funding of private primary schools' obligatory curriculum, up from 85% now. The funding of optional curricula such as remedy classes would remain at 85%. Six private primaries with state-certified curricula are eligible for state funding.
Progress rather slow in migration pact talks, Hojs says
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs came out of an informal meeting of EU home affairs ministers at Brdo pri Kranju saying that stances between EU members in talks on the EU pact on migration and asylum were still quite diverging, although the meeting made a step forward. The ministers showed a political will for gradual progress in forming a common EU migration policy and they perhaps found a common ground regarding the regulation on the Eurodact fingerprint database that could bring results, Hojs said. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson meanwhile said that the EU was not deadlocked in terms of the migration pact.
Fit for 55 debate must consider competitiveness aspect, minister says
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian EU presidency will aim to achieve "maximum progress" on Fit for 55, Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak told an online debate. Vizjak hopes the discussion will be not just about the goals but also about how to achieve these goals in the best, fairest and most responsible way to protect the competitiveness of the Slovenian and European economy. Importantly, the EU needs to bring global partners on board, it may not be left alone in the effort.
Vrtovec tells EU Parliament Europe should be more ambitious climate-wise
LJUBLJANA - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said that when it came to Fit for 55 energy proposals, the Slovenian presidency will start with the revision of directives on renewables and energy efficiency. The minister told the the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy that the EU should be more ambitious in all areas to realise more ambitious 2030 climate targets and reach climate neutrality until 2050.
Johansson disappointed STA financing not solved
BRDO PRI KRANJU - European Commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed her disappointment because the issue of STA financing has still not been resolved, telling reporters after a meeting of EU home affairs ministers at Brdo estate, that got the impression after meeting Interior Minister Aleš Hojs back in April that the issue would soon be solved. She expects "the Slovenian government will solve this issue and pay the funds that they owe to the Slovenian Press Agency".
Logar reopens Slovenian embassy in Dublin
DUBLIN, Ireland - Foreign Minister Anže Logar and his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney attended a ceremony to inaugurate the new premises of the Slovenian Embassy in Dublin with Logar calling the reopening of the embassy "an important milestone" in the efforts to further enhance political, economic, cultural and other ties between the two countries. Slovenia closed its embassy in Ireland amid the financial crisis in 2012. Logar and Coveney discussed challenges of Slovenia's EU presidency an exchanged views on topical issues of European neighbourhood and elsewhere around the world.
No more free rapid testing soon, and no new lockdowns
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša announced that those who have been vaccinated against Covid, have recovered from it or have been tested would be allowed to have as few restrictions in public life as possible, while rapid tests will be no longer be free of charge from mid-August. Based on the European Commission's recommendation, the Health Ministry is drafting changes to a regulation to enable the three groups to have as few coronavirus-related restrictions in public life as possible. Janša and the other two coalition leaders said now that vaccines were freely available people had the responsibility to protect themselves and also prevent lockdowns.
Covid certificate mandatory for entering Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - Significantly tighter rules for entering Slovenia took effect today, as the colour-coded lists of countries were replaced with the requirement that passengers who wish to enter the country need to have a Covid certificate regardless of where they come from. There are three sets of exemptions: passengers in transit and lorry drivers, owners of land on both sides of the border, and accompanied minors under 15.
Slovenia confirms 56 new cases of coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 56 new cases of coronavirus for Wednesday, the first week-on-week decrease in daily cases since 4 July. The positivity rate was 3.3%, show the latest data released by the National Institute of Public Health. A total of 1,691 PCR tests were performed along with nearly 20,000 rapid antigen tests. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 population is at 32, up slightly from the day before. The recent uptick in cases has not yet led to more hospitalisations.
EU court rules on working time of soldiers
LJUBLJANA - The Trade Union of Soldiers (SVS) announced that the EU Court of Justice had ruled that the time a soldier spends at his working place or at a certain location even if not strictly working is treated as working hours under an EU directive, except in exceptional cases. The ruling came eleven years after the SVS started raising the issue and opened legal proceedings against the Defence Ministry.
Man who planned shooting spree gets suspended sentence
KRANJ - The Kranj District Court handed down an eight-month suspended prison sentence with a probation period of five years to a 20-year-old from Kropa who planned a shooting spree in April, after he was found guilty of attempted trafficking in weapons. He must undergo compulsory medical treatment but has been released from detention. The defendant admitted attempted trafficking in weapons or explosives. He said that he regretted his actions and apologized.
Tour de France: Pogačar wins stage 18 to don polka-dot jersey
PAU - Slovenia's cycling sensation, Tadej Pogačar won a second stage at the Tour de France in as many days to increase his overall lead and secure the polka-dot jersey of best climber. The defending champion was first through the finish line on the mountain stage from Pau to Luz Ardiden, ahead of Dane Jonas Vingegaard and Ecuador's Richardo Carapaz. He has all but secured the overall victory on Sunday, having a 5:45 minute lead ahead of Vingegaard in second.
