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This summary is provided by the STA:
Deals reached on carcinogens and TEN-E as Slovenia presidency draws to close
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Just before Slovenia hands over the presidency of the Council of the EU to France, member countries reached final political agreements to update the carcinogens and mutagens directive and to revise the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) regulation, but failed to agree on a proposal to update rules for social security coordination.
Member states ready to talk Daisy Chain proposal with Parliament
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU member states reached an agreement on a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on amending the EU bank resolution framework. The move took place under the auspices of the Slovenian EU presidency. The new framework would be better at ensuring that loss-absorbing and recapitalisation of banks are carried out with private funds.
Patron cap in shops imposed from Thursday
LJUBLJANA - In the wake of Omicron concerns the government decided to impose a density limit in shops by allowing entry to one customer per every ten square metres of available floor space. The rule will be effective from Thursday. Under the decision shops are also required to put up a sign at their entrance informing customers of the maximum density limit.
Mandatory quarantine scheme made stricter
LJUBLJANA - The mandatory quarantine regime in Slovenia was tightened up, as the government decided at a correspondence session to make people who have received a booster jab the only exception to mandatory self-isolation after a high-risk contact. The new scheme, recommended by epidemiologists, will apply from Thursday.
Legal basis passed to overhaul school councils
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a controversial coalition-sponsored bill under which the number of staff represented on school councils will be reduced to level with those of parents and municipality or state as the school's founder. Under the bill, which was passed by 46 votes in favour and 42 against, school and kindergarten councils will have nine members, three each representing employees, the school founder and parents or in the case of secondary school one of students.
Municipality funding act amended over Roma settlements and IT
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted 67 to eight to amend the financing of municipalities act in order to secure additional funds to municipalities with Roma settlements, and money for IT services provided by joint administrations of several municipalities. In the first case, the municipalities will be able to decide autonomously how to spend the money.
Mes says govt should focus on regional routes after renovating core rail corridor
LJUBLJANA - The state should focus on regional rail tracks, particularly around the capital of Ljubljana, after it completes renovating the country's core rail corridor, Dušan Mes, CEO of the national rail company Slovenske Železnice (SŽ), told the STA in an interview. He says regional tracks, particularly around Ljubljana, do not allow for quality public railway transport. "They must be modernised, upgraded and electrified."
Digital Centre proves good networking, promotional platform
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Digital Centre, the main business project of Slovenia's EU presidency, drew to a close, with all stakeholders labelling it as a success, as it had served as a platform for promotion of 124 companies and organisations and had been visited by almost 60,000 visitors in person or online. The centre was launched at Ljubljana's BTC shopping area in July as a partnership between the Economy Ministry, SPIRIT Slovenija, the Digital Innovation Centre of Slovenia, and the BTC company.
Pahor calls for revival of consensual politics
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor called for a renaissance of consensual politics in his address to a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary since Slovenia adopted its constitution. He highlighted the importance of dialogue, cooperation and sensible compromises, whereas former PM Miro Cerar, who was involved in the making of the constitution, lamented the loss of political and legal culture, calling for civic courage and active citizenship in defence of constitutional values.
Slovenia transfers ex-Yugoslavia Trieste flat to fellow successors
TRIESTE, Italy - An apartment in Trieste that has in recent years been used by the Srečko Kosovel student dorm has been allotted to Serbia and North Macedonia under an agreement reached by the countries successors to the former Yugoslavia, the Foreign Ministry announced. The property has been in Slovenia's possession since the breakup of the former federation.
Meat industry says animals treated ethically at Slovenian abattoirs
LJUBLJANA - The meat processing industry responded to a recent video showing mistreatment of pigs and cattle at the Košaki TMI abattoir in Maribor, emphasising that an ethical attitude to animals was the standard at Slovenian abattoirs. The GIZ association of meat producers said in a written statement that a licenced vet was present at large abattoirs, all procedures were in line with the law, and trained staff were obliged to prevent any unnecessary suffering of animals.
Primož Roglič extends contract with Jumbo-Visma
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Slovenian cycling star Primož Roglič has extended his contract with the Dutch cycling team Jumbo-Visma until the end of 2025, which means that he will have completed a full decade in the team's jersey. Roglič started his professional cycling career with Jumbo-Visma when he signed in 2016, and had a contract until 2023.
Coronavirus cases continue to drop
LJUBLJANA - The epidemiological curve continued to drop in Slovenia, as the number of newly detected cases fell to 1,255, down in both daily and weekly comparisons. The number of active cases is around 17,000, data by the National Institute of Public Health shows. Hospitalisation numbers decreased, with 649 Covid patients still in hospital, 16 fewer than the previous day, including 206 in intensive care, down by one. Six patients died, the government said.
Tech company LIT Transit acquired by Estonia's Ridango
LJUBLJANA - LIT Transit, a Slovenia-based company providing IT solutions for public transportation, has been acquired by Estonian tech company Ridango to form a group that provides its services to transport agencies and operators in more than 25 countries. The value of the deal has not been disclosed. Ridango, which specializes in development of systems for public transport ticketing as well as payment solutions, sees the acquisition as a major milestone.
Magna gets environment permit to expand Hoče factory
MARIBOR - Austrian automotive company Magna Steyr has received an environmental permit from Slovenia's Environment Agency to expand its Slovenian factory in Hoče near the city of Maribor. The company told the STA that the permit had been issued on Monday and was final, meaning it can no longer be challenged. The permit allows Magna to continue the project by seeking a building permit for two new main buildings that will be added to the existing paint shop.
Five men suspected of cheating in vaccination
KRANJ - Police have filed criminal complaints against five men from the Gorenjska region and Ljubljana area for vaccination cheating. One of the men allegedly took the shots for the others to get the Covid pass. The man was remanded in custody, the Kranj Police Department said. Together with the two shots he received in his own name, the man was vaccinated seven times and was apprehended as he was about to receive the eighth shot. All five suspects are Slovenian citizens.
Average gross pay in October up nominally, down in real terms
LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in Slovenia in October stood at EUR 1,886, while the average net pay was EUR 1,218. Both were up 0.7% nominally and down 0.2% in real terms compared to September, the Statistics Office said. The average gross pay was 2.4% higher in October compared to September, but only in the public sector, while it was 0.2% lower in the private sector.
