Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
This summary is provided by the STA:
Health care, social care staff on strike
LJUBLJANA - Nurses, staff at social care institutions and pharmacies are on strike today after failing to make meaningful progress it talks with the government either on a rise to tackle pay disparities or work standards. According to the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, 50,000 staff are on strike. Only urgent services are provided at most hospitals, health centres and social work centres, and work at care homes shifted to Sunday mode. Pharmacies are only issuing urgent medications.
Slovenia with additional bond issues worth EUR 750m
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia performed additional issues of two bonds in the total amount of EUR 750 million, adding EUR 350 million to the bond due in March 2032 and EUR 400 million to the bond due in October 2050. The treasury has also earmarked US$582.7 million and EUR 15 million for repurchase of dollar- and euro-denominated state bonds maturing in 2023 and 2024.
Energy aid package okayed at committee level
LJUBLJANA - The Infrastructure Committee okayed on Wednesday a government-sponsored package of aid for households and companies to mitigate energy-price hikes. It brings EUR 150 energy vouchers for certain groups, temporary exemption of payment of contributions and network fees for electricity and equation of rights of all household consumers. Prior to the debate, Infrastructure Ministry State Secretary Blaž Košorok noted that the measures envisaged in the package were worth a total of EUR 210 million.
MPs in favour of changes to border control act
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Home Affairs Committee endorsed late on Tuesday amendments to the state border control act under which border municipalities would get EUR 2.5 million to cover the costs they incur as a result of enhanced border patrolling to prevent illegal migration. Božo Predalič, a state secretary at the Interior Ministry, said the bill brought a legal basis to partly refund the costs these municipalities had due to the enhanced border control. Only the Left raised objections.
Slovenian MEPs welcome EU court's rule of law decision
STRASBOURG, France - Slovenian MEPs welcomed the decision by the European Court of Justice to reject a challenge by Poland and Hungary against a mechanism allowing Brussels to cut funding to member states that do not comply with rule of law requirements. Tanja Fajon and Milan Brglez (S&D/SD) said the EU Commission had no more excuses for not taking action now against what Fajon said were "autocratic leaders" of Poland, Hungary and Slovenia. EPP members said the rules should apply to everyone equally.
Ukraine unity day marked in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - The Ukraine unity day was marked in front of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ljubljana by about a dozen people. The event was organised as a show of support for the country and defiance amid fears of a possible Russian invasion. The group hoisted the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag and played the national anthem. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared unity day for 16 February, a date when some media said the Russians could invade Ukraine.
Daily coronavirus count falls to 4,716
LJUBLJANA - A total of 4,716 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Tuesday, only two-thirds of the case count the day before and 7% down from the bank holiday a week ago. Official figures show the 14-day incidence per 100,000 fell by 923 to 5,517 and the seven-day average of new cases declined by 57 to 6,658. Hospitalisation fell as well, with 110 patients still treated for Covid in intensive care. Another 15 patients infected with coronavirus died yesterday.
Slovenia supports EU Commission's initiatives on space traffic management
TOULOUSE, France - Economy Ministry State Secretary Simon Zajc attended in Toulouse on Wednesday an informal meeting of the EU ministers in charge of competition to discuss initiatives on space traffic management and an informal session of the council of the European Space Agency (ESA). He expressed support to the European Commission's proposals.
Govt endorses public health fund's financial plan for 2022
LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed at a correspondence session on Wednesday the financial plan of the public Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS) for 2022, which projects a shortfall of revenue over expenditure of around EUR 149 million. The ZZZS's expenditure in 2022 is planned at EUR 3.72 billion, an increase of EUR 215.7 million or 6.2% compared to 2021. The ZZZS plans to cover the deficit of EUR 148.9 million from the surpluses of past years.
Left withdraws motion to call referendum on income tax act
LJUBLJANA - The Left has withdrawn its motion for a consultative referendum on changes to the income tax act, as the government had indicated the referendum could be held on the same day as the general election. Left coordinator Luka Mesec said the party did not want to enable the government to build its election campaign on "promises of higher wages." Mesec said on Wednesday that the Left did not want to give the centre-right the opportunity to build the campaign "at the expense of the devastated budget", while adding that the party still held the position that the changes were detrimental.
Hackers breach POP TV personal data
LJUBLJANA - The scope of the cyberattack that broadcaster POP TV suffered on 8 February is becoming clear. The company revealed hackers gained access to some personal data of individuals recruited for its shows, visitors to live shows, and personnel recruitment data. Unofficial information reported by some media suggests POP TV was the victim of a ransomware attack executed via an infected email attachment. The attackers have reportedly demanded a high ransom to unlock the encrypted data.
Banks' after-tax profit up by 17% in 2021
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's banking system generated an after-tax profit of EUR 527.3 million last year, an increase of 17.1% compared to the previous year. Pre-tax profit rose by about a fifth to stand at EUR 564.7 million, shows a report releases by the central bank. Banka Slovenije said the profit would only be a third of what it is now if the long-term average of impairments and provisions had been taken into account. Total assets of the Slovenian banking system rose by 8.1% in 2021 to EUR 48.3 billion.
Pensions going up by 4.4%
LJUBLJANA) - Pensioners will get 4.4% higher pensions at the end of the month in line with regular annual adjustment with wages and consumer prices. Back rise for January will be paid out as well. The adjustment will cost the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute (ZPIZ) EUR 268 million at the annual level, said ZPIZ official Andraž Rangus after the council endorsed the rise. Pensions already went up by 1% to 3.5% in January to make up for the lag resulting from the pension freeze during austerity years.
Lendava spa to reopen later this year
LENDAVA - The spa in Lendava, known for its paraffin thermal water, has been closed for more than a year after being acquired in late 2019 by Comitatus Energia, a Hungarian fund. Responding to concerns aired by trade unions and the community, director Daniel Kovacs said the spa would reopen this year after the buildings had been renovated and new services introduced. He could not give a specific date yet. Almost all workers are on furlough and receive 100% pay. Kovacs promised further hirings and no layoffs.
Ljubljana mayor receives state decoration in Serbia
LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković was honoured with a state decoration by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić as the country marked its Statehood Day on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Ljubljana today, Janković denied speculation by some Serbian media that he could become the next mayor of Serbia's capital Belgrade. "I made it clear in Belgrade that I am not a candidate for mayor. I don't know yet if I will run in Ljubljana again," he said.
Klemeničič to carry Slovenian flag at Olympic closing
BEIJING, China - Cross-country skier Anita Klemenčič will carry the Slovenian flag at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on Sunday. The only other Slovenian athlete to attend will be her cross-country teammate Neža Žerjav with the remaining members of Team Slovenia already at home or on their way there. With a tally of two golds, three silvers and two bronze medals, Slovenia currently ranks 14th among all countries on the Olympic medal table.
Janja Garnbret becomes Slovenia's tourism ambassador
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) has entered a partnership with Janja Garnbret, currently the world's best female climber, multiple world champion and Olympic gold medallist. Garnbret has thus joined a number of Slovenian top athletes who have become ambassadors of Slovenian tourism, the STO announced on Wednesday.
Opposition calls for emergency session to stop Sava sale
Ljubljana, 16 February - A group of opposition MPs has tabled a request for an emergency session of the National Assembly on the sale of the 43% stake in Slovenian tourism company Sava by private fund York. They intend to reiterate their call at the session to the government and Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) for the state to exercise its pre-emptive right.
