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:
Janša regrets political clashes over Hungary's Ukraine stance
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Arriving for day 2 of the EU summit, Prime Minister Janez Janša regretted political clashes over things he said were unimportant in war as he commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of Hungary's attitude towards Ukraine during the Russian invasion. "It's largely about political rhetoric, Hungary has not blocked any sanctions or other serious measures so far," said Janša after Zelensky Hungarian PM Viktor Orban to "decide which side the country is on".
Ukraine war dominates first election debate
LJUBLJANA - The first televised election debate, hosted by the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija on Thursday evening, was dominated by the war in Ukraine and its impact on Slovenia. Parliamentary parties expressed different views on NATO membership but agreed that Slovenia should become self-sufficient in terms of energy and food production. Opposition parties criticised PM Janez Janša's trip to Kyiv and the decision to send a chargé d'affaires to Kyiv.
Two candidates for Italian MP, three for Hungarian
KOPER/LENDAVA - Two candidates will bid for the seat designated for the Italian minority in the National Assembly and three to serve as the Hungarian minority MP in the 24 April election, including both incumbents. The Italian minority MP Felice Žiža will face off Maurizio Tremul, the long-serving head of the minority's umbrella organisation. Hungarian minority MP Ferenc Horvath will compete against Otto Močnek of the Hungarian consulate in Lendava and Mihael Kasaš, the head of the Lednava city administration.
Good State, Our Future to contest election together
LJUBLJANA - The non-parliamentary parties Good State and Our Future will contest the 24 April general election together. They filed a joint ticket along with two other political groups. The list of 78 candidates includes Violeta Tomić, currently an MP for the Left, and rapper Zlatko, an anti-masker. Our Future is headed by Ivan Gale, who made a name for himself as a whistleblower over medical purchases during early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Good State is the first group to splinter from the party founded by former PM Miro Cerar.
NGO concerned not all voters will be able to vote
LJUBLJANA - The NGO 8 March Institute expressed concern over new voting guidelines for people with coronavirus infection. Those state that self-isolating voters must apply for voting at home by 20 April, but the NGO called on authorities to allow all voters to cast their vote, including those whose infection will be confirmed after the deadline. The NGO noted that a number of European countries still allowed voters with Covid to participate in elections.
Parsifal poll shows SDS far ahead of Freedom Movement
LJUBLJANA - The ruling Democrats (SDS) are far ahead of the Freedom Movement, according to the first in a series of daily polls done by pollster Parsifal and carried by Siol, Planet TV and Nova24TV on Friday. Polling at 25%, the SDS has an almost nine-point lead on the Freedom Movement. All other parties rank at below 10%.
Youth in Ljubljana, Maribor, Koper demand action on climate change
LJUBLJANA/MARIBOR/KOPER - Supporters of the Youth for Climate Justice movement gathered in Ljubljana, Maribor and Koper to let decision makers know before the April election that the planet must have priority over capital. The youth also addressed a list of demands for a better future to mayors and to parties contesting the upcoming election. Brina Jeretina, a member of the movement, said that "with the elections nearing, the time is right to demand from politicians concrete measures that will ensure a just and ambitious green transition in Slovenia".
Coronavirus case count drops
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 2,803 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the first time in three weeks that the daily count dropped on the same day a week ago. Eight more patients with Covid-19 died. Hospital figures dropped slightly, with 173 patients now treated for Covid-19, including 32 in intensive care. Health authorities' figures also show the 7-day average of new cases falling to 2,878 as the 14-day incidence per 100,000 of the population is still up at 1,792.
Govt provides new incentives for household electricity generation
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a regulation on electricity self-supply from renewables on Thursday that will abolish the net metering concept for photovoltaic systems that will be put in place from 2024 in line with an EU directive. The regulation also guarantees new ways to get incentives for electricity self-sufficiency, a move that comes after several NGOs urged this.
Rise in apartment prices highest in 15 years
LJUBLJANA - The prices of residential real estate jumped by 15.7% in 2021, which is the highest annual rise since 2007, when a 20.4% rise was recorded, shows data from the Statistics Office. The prices of new apartments increased by 20.2%. The prices of second-hand apartments were 18% higher, the prices of second-hand houses went up by 11.9% and new family houses were 3.1% costlier. The total value of all residential real estate sold last year was up by almost a third to EUR 1.6 billion.
Business sentiment deteriorates
LJUBLJANA - Business sentiment in Slovenia deteriorated in March after four consecutive months of growth as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its fallout and rising inflation. Data from the Statistics Office shows the respective index fell by 5.2 percentage points from February to 1.5 points. The index is still 2 points up year-on-year. A 12-point drop in the consumer confidence subindex had the biggest negative impact.
Pošta Slovenije reports surge in profit
MARIBOR - The state-run postal operator Pošta Slovenije generated a group net profit of 17.6 million on EUR 461 million in revenue last year, an increase of more than EUR 12 million and 12%, respectively, from 2020. Releasing the preliminary and as yet unaudited results, the company said the figures were significantly above the targets. This year the company is planning to generate EUR 482 million in revenue, of which 53% from logistics and parcel delivery services.
Major wind farm planned on Pohorje Plateau
SLOVENSKA BISTRICA - The Pohorje Plateau seems to be attracting investors because of its potential for wind power generation. After five years of preparations, a large potential investment was unveiled by the company Energija na Veter, which would like to build 56 wind turbines in a part of Pohorje that lies in the Slovenska Bistrica municipality. The private investors have plans for two projects with 35 and 21 3.5 MW turbines. The permitting process is still under way.
Six Slovenian cities want to become climate neutral by 2030
LJUBLJANA - Six Slovenian cities have responded to the European Commission's call through which a list of the first 100 climate neutral and smart cities will be compiled. Ajdovščina, Izola, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Nova Gorica, Ormož and Velenje are among the 362 cities which applied to the call. Now, a hundred cities will be picked to be monitored and supported in their efforts to make the transformation by 2030. The list will be presented in April.
Slovenians sweep podium in first World Cup event at Planica
PLANICA, 25 March (STA) - Slovenian ski jumpers swept the podium in the first individual event of the World Cup season finale, as Žiga Jelar won the event ahead of Peter Prevc and Anže Lanišek. Timi Zajc was fourth to round off the complete domination of the home team in front of the capacity crowd at Planica. The last time that the first four competitors at a Ski Jumping World Cup even were from the same country was in 1980.
