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This summary is provided by the STA:
Government reintroduces regulation of heating oil prices
LJUBLJANA - Acting on growing energy prices, the government reintroduced administered pricing of heating oil by issuing a regulation on the pricing of petroleum products. The distributors' margin was limited to a maximum of six cents per litre of heating oil. Pricing will be based on the prescribed methodology as the average 14-day price of the current period.
Second no-confidence motion filed against Minister Hojs
LJUBLJANA - Four-centre left opposition parties and the deputy group of unaffiliated MPs tabled a motion of no-confidence in Interior Minister Aleš Hojs. The parties hold him responsible for the state of emergency in the country, police violence at protests, and for a demeaning attitude towards members of the general public and experts who dare express different views than the government's. The motion was penned by the Left and joined by the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Social Democrats (SD), Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) and unaffiliated MPs. They do not have the needed 46 votes needed to dismiss the minister.
Key defence resolution on hold as Left demands referendum
LJUBLJANA - The passage in parliament of a long-term programme for the development of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) until 2035 has been put on hold as the Left has submitted a proposal for a consultative referendum. The National Assembly was supposed to vote on the draft resolution on today, but will now need to decide on the referendum request first. The Left said the document pursued wrong goals policy- and priority-wise, increased general militarisation of society, and planned huge expenditure that should be earmarked for welfare instead.
Covid case count hits nine-month high as death toll passes 5,000
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 2,145 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the highest daily number of confirmed infections since 12 January. The share of positive tests stood at 29.1%. Another nine patients with Covid-19 died, which pushed the death toll since the start of the epidemic to 5,004, according to government data. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents surged by 47 to 664. A total of 427 patients are in hospital, six more than yesterday, of whom 122 need intensive care, down by two.
Janša calls for cooperation at Tripartite Summit
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša discussed the significance of social dialogue, cooperation, green and digital transition, lifelong learning and sustainable work as he addressed a virtual Tripartite Social Summit ahead of the EU summit. On behalf of the Slovenian presidency he highlighted the importance of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its implementation as a fundamental element of the post-pandemic recovery.
Janša talks EU digital transformation framework with Apple CEO
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša had a video call with Apple CEO Tim Cook with a release from the Government Communication Office saying they talked about legislative acts that are being coordinated in the EU in the field of digital transformation, and about the importance of cybersecurity in digitalisation services. Janša also acquainted Cook with Slovenia's competitive advantages for investments in IT and development of artificial intelligence.
Jewish community upset by Janša's anti-Semitic allegations
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Jewish Cultural Centre expressed its dismay at a tweet by Slovenian PM Janez Janša last Thursday which depicted Jewish billionaire George Soros's alleged links to several MEPs claiming Soros was "their puppet-master". The president of the European Jewish Congress (EJC) Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor said "the EJC hopes that PM Janša will apologise for his allegations and ensure that any anti-Semitic motives have no place in the Slovenian political and diplomatic debate".
Recovery and resilience fund set up
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed amendments to the act on the implementation of the 2021 and 2022 budgets that set up a special budget fund, where the money from the recovery and resilient mechanism will be collected. The fund will be managed by the Office for Recovery and Resilience, which will be led by Janet Mravljak as acting head. The legislative changes were passed by 49 votes in favour and 37 against.
MPs pass law on police work and organisation
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed amendments to the act governing the organisation and work of the police force. The changes pertain to the status and autonomy of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), placing it under the Criminal Police Directorate. The centre-left opposition argued the amendments would lead to the complete political subjugation of the NBI and the police in general, saying that the interior minister would now be able to direct police investigations.
De-bureaucratisation bill passed at first reading
LJUBLJANA - An omnibus de-bureaucratisation bill passed first reading in a 45:40 vote. While coalition MPs welcomed it as a good start towards less red tape in the public administration, opposition MPs were more reserved, with the centre-left MPs voting against, arguing the bill has practically nothing to do with de-bureaucratisation. The bill changes 14 laws and annuls over 200 laws and bylaws, while the original plan to introduce a cap on social contributions has been eliminated due to a lack of support.
Tax reliefs for businesses being expanded
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed amendments to the corporate income tax act which upgrade existing reliefs and add some new. The bill was put forward by the government as part of a package designed to stimulate the post-pandemic recovery. Part of the amendments concern measures dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and part transpose relevant EU directives. The loss of budget revenue as a result of the changes is estimated at around EUR 27 million.
Parliament amends pharmacy practice act
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted 47 in favour and 37 against to endorse a bill amending the pharmacy practice act which lifts the ban on vertical integration of pharmacies and drug wholesalers in cases when the wholesaler is incorporated by a public pharmacy or municipality. The bill tabled by the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) initially also a highly controversial proposal to change the criteria to define the pharmacy network, which was removed on the committee.
Pahor hosts equality ombudsmen from SE Europe
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor hosted a reception for equality ombudsmen from SE Europe to mark the start of their fifth regional conference, which is held in Slovenia this year. The president highlighted the importance of public dialogue during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pahor's office said.This is the first time Slovenia hosts such a conference.
Two nurses busted issuing fake vaccination certificates
ŽALEC - Two nurses at the Želec Community Health Centre have been caught issuing fake vaccination certificates in exchange for money. The practice was discovered after irregularities were detected in the entry of data on vaccination into the electronic registry of vaccinated persons. This prompted the director of the community health centre to launch an internal inquiry. The pair were removed from their posts and face termination proceedings. The Celje police are also investigating the case.
Slovenia sending PPE to Kosovo
LJUBLJANA - The government decided for Slovenia to send a shipment of personal protective equipment to Kosovo through the EU civil protection mechanism in response to the country request for aid to cope with a coronavirus outbreak. The aid is valued at EUR 116,000, including transport costs, reads a press release issued after the government session.
Unior to launch new production line with SID bank loan
ZREČE - Unior, a Zreče-based group specialising in forged steel and tools, has signed a contract with the SID development and export bank on a EUR 5.7 million loan for the financing of a new line of aluminium products. The company is starting to develop the new line of aluminium products in response to the rapid development of electric and hybrid vehicles, and demand for aluminium products from big car companies. The investment is valued at EUR 13.5 million. Production is slated to start in 2023.
Renewables produce a third of Slovenia's electricity
LJUBLJANA - A third of Slovenia's electricity output was generated with renewables last year, as renewable electricity generation rose in both the EU and Slovenia, the Statistics Office said. The bulk of Slovenia's electricity was generated by its only nuclear plant (37%), followed by thermal power stations (30.5%) and hydro power stations (30.4%). A mere 2.2% came from sun and wind, although the share of electricity from photovoltaic systems and wind farms is increasing.
Slovenia had highest increase in electricity price in EU in H1
LUXEMBOURG - Average electricity prices for households increased slightly in the first half of the year at the EU level compared to the same period in 2020 to EUR 21.9 per 100 kilowatt hours, with the largest increase recorded in Slovenia, Eurostat reported. The electricity prices for households increased in 16 member states, topped by Slovenia with a 15% rise, followed by Poland (8%) and Romania (7%).
EU Commission approves Slovenia's aid for rail freight transport
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission approved a EUR 15 million Slovenian state aid scheme to support rail freight transport. The European Commission Representation in Slovenia said the measures will support single carriage transport and combined transport. Support under the scheme will be available in the form of direct grants to railway companies until 31 December 2023.
Another protest against Covid pass mandate held in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - Protesters against Covid pass mandate and other coronavirus-related restrictions gathered for the sixth consecutive rally in Ljubljana, urging an early election. The protest was addressed by the head of the Resni.ca (Truth) party Zoran Stevanović, who is considered one of the main initiators of the weekly rallies. According to initial estimates, a few thousand protesters gathered before rhe rally was dispersed by the police.
Court finds doctor who invoked conscientious objections to abortion discriminated against
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Local Court has ruled that a candidate for specialisation in gynaecology was discriminated against by the Medical Chamber after she voiced her conscientious objections to abortion and intrauterine contraception (IUD). She expressed the desire for working at a gynaecological clinic, where abortions are not performed, and said she would propose other forms of contraception to patients who would express the wish for a IUDs or refer them to another gynaecologist. The ruling is final.
