24 Jul 2021, 09:40 AM

Last Week in Slovenia: 16 - 22 July 2021

What follows is a weekly review of events involving Slovenia, as prepared by the STA.

If you’d like to keep up on the daily headlines then follow those here, or get all our stories in your feed on Facebook.

FRIDAY, 16 July
        LJUBLJANA - Mark Boris Andrijanič, a 38-year-old law graduate who has worked for Uber, was appointed minister without portfolio for digital transformation in a 45:44 vote in parliament, pledging to work for digitalisation to become a national priority and a project uniting Slovenia's society and politics. A new Digital Transformation Office he will head was founded on 22 July.
        LJUBLJANA - The upper chamber of parliament vetoed amendments to the audiovisual services act whose core provision is a 6% levy on content providers to finance a new fund for the production of domestic content. This was the second veto against a government-sponsored act in less than a week.
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU justice ministers held an informal meeting discussing the use of AI in judicial proceedings, with Slovenia's Marjan Dikaučič saying the debate centred around the need to put in place safety mechanisms to protect fundamental rights and freedoms. Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said the Commission's goal was to protect fundamental rights of European citizens, including in law enforcement and judiciary. Reynders also made a renewed appeal for Slovenia to appoint European delegated prosecutors, indicating action unless the government acted very soon.
        LJUBLJANA - Wrapping up a high-level online conference on innovative solutions for a resilient healthcare system, which featured the health ministers of Slovenia, Portugal and Germany, Slovenia's Janez Poklukar said the EU's trio presidency were working to finalise negotiations on three draft regulations that form the basis of the EU Health Union in a bid to coordinate the regulations in trialogue with other EU institutions as soon as possible.
        LJUBLJANA - A new batch of government-sponsored vouchers became available to all Slovenian residents. Unlike the holiday-at-home vouchers issued last year, they can be used to pay for a variety of services and goods in tourism, hospitality, sports and culture. At EUR 100 for adults and EUR 50 for those under 18, the vouchers are valued at a combined EUR 192.2 million.
        BORDEAUX, France - Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) won stage 19 of the Tour de France from Mourenx to Libourne after attacking 25km from the finish in his second win and the fifth for Slovenian riders at this year's Tour.

SATURDAY, 17 July
LJUBLJANA - Europa Cantat, a major international festival dedicated to choral music, got under way in with a concert featuring Slovenian and foreign vocalists at Cankarjev Dom arts centre, bringing a blend of various music genres.
LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office reported Slovenia recording the highest positive net migration since 2008 last year as almost 18,400 people more moved in than out. Part of the reason for the increase is administrative changes in the population register.

SUNDAY, 18 July
        PARIS, France - Tadej Pogačar, the 22-old Slovenian UAE Team Emirates rider, won the 108th Tour de France to become the youngest double winner of the world's most prestigious cycling race and only the ninth rider with back-to-back wins. He also won the white jersey for the best young rider and the polka dot jersey for the top mountain climber.
        LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Top seed Tamara Zidanšek, the French Open semi-finalist, won the WTA Lousanne Open beating France's Clara Burel in the finals after a good two hours 4:6, 7:6 (5) and 6:1 for what is her first-ever WTA tournament victory.
        LJUBLJANA - The Environment Ministry put forward for adoption by the government a regulation banning the sale of several single-use plastic items such as plastic cutlery, straws and plates in line with the EU regulation that was supposed to be transposed by 3 July.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia earmarked EUR 10.72 billion (22.2% of GDP) for various social security programmes in 2019, up 6.2% over 2018, with the bulk spent on the elderly, where pensions are also included, and on diseases and healthcare, according to the Statistics Office.

MONDAY, 19 July
        LJUBLJANA - The Infrastructure Ministry issued an energy permit for the construction of the second unit of the Krško nuclear power station in what Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said was a "kick-start of the broadest possible public debate". Details such as the estimated price, time frame and choice of technology are not known yet. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry backed the plans.
        CERKLJE OB KRKI - A ceremony at the Prilozje air strip near the town of Metlika in south-east marked the first Slovenia-Israel Friendship Day in memory of the joint struggle against Nazism and Fascism in WWII. The event, addressed by President Borut Pahor and Israeli Ambassador Eyal Sela, marked the centenary of the birth of Israeli hero and poet Hannah Szenes, who parachuted into the Bela Krajina region on a mission during WWII in a heroic story that Pahor said linked the two nations.
        LJUBLJANA - Responding to revelations by foreign media that governments had used hacking spyware sold by the Israeli NSO Group to target journalists, activists and political opponents, Matjaž Nemec, the chair of the parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Commission, confirmed the commission had received first hints of potential abuse of spyware in Slovenia as early as last year, but said it was not clear what type of software was involved. He said the commission became even more attentive when PM Janez Janša visited Israel last December. He reportedly met NSO officials.
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU ministers in charge of research agreed that Europe needed a common research area as they met for an informal meeting under Slovenia's EU presidency to discuss revitalising the European Research Area, and the role of international cooperation to promote research and innovation.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU agriculture ministers meeting under Slovenia's presidency for the first time unanimously endorsed an action plan aiming for at least 25% of agricultural land to be under organic farming by 2030 in a decision hailed by Minister Jože Podgoršek as being one of the priorities of Slovenia's presidency.
        LJUBLJANA - The government decided that rapid antigen tests will no longer be available free of charge to everyone from 23 August but only to those who cannot get vaccinated for health reasons and for groups such as users of health services, care home residents, prisoners or asylum and safe home residents.
        LJUBLJANA - The State Prosecution Council urged the government to take a decision on the appointment of 12 candidates for state prosecutors put forward by the previous justice minister between last September and June as soon as possible, pointing to staff shortages created by the government's "unprompt and selective decision-making".
        LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court rejected an opposition-sponsored motion challenging the inadmissibility of a referendum on EUR 780 million investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces in 2021-2026 as declared by parliament in November 2020.
        LJUBLJANA - The latest Vox Populi poll, commissioned by the dailies Dnevnik and Večer, showed the voter approval rating for the Janez Janša government hitting a record low, with nearly 72% disapproving of its work. The ruling Democrats (SDS) nevertheless remain in the lead, on 18.2%, ahead of the opposition Social Democrats (SD) on 12.7%.

TUESDAY, 20 July
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - In its second Rule of Law Report, the European Commission raised concerns over delays in Slovenia in the appointment of state prosecutors and the country's two European delegated prosecutors, as well as about deteriorating media freedom and pluralism in the country. Presenting the report, Commission Vice President Vera Jourova and Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders called on the Slovenian authorities to ensure a stable financing of the STA. Reynders pointed to potential measures over non-appointment of European delegated prosecutors come autumn.
        LJUBLJANA - Anže Erbežnik stepped down as a state secretary at the Justice Ministry after less than a month on the job. He later said the reason was that he could not perform his duties with due respect for EU law, rule of law and human rights. He accused Minister Marjan Dikaučič of lacking a basic knowledge of EU law. Dikaučič denied the claims as fabrications, implying Erbežnik was more interested in self-promotion than the ministry's reputation.
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU environment ministers conducted a preliminary exchange of opinions on Fit for 55, the EU's new energy and climate package, at an informal ministerial with Slovenia's Minister Andrej Vizjak saying the package was seen as a good basis for talks. The ministers also discussed preparations for the UN climate conference COP26 in Glasgow in November with Vizjak pledging Slovenia would work for the conference to achieve concrete results.
        PRAGUE, Czechia - The coronavirus pandemic topped the agenda as foreign ministers of the Central 5 group - Slovenia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary - met. They also discussed the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership and Belarus. Anže Logar lauded vaccine solidarity and said Slovenia's EU presidency was focused on developing the European Health Union and boosting the EU's strategic autonomy.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 111 coronavirus cases, the first time after 15 June that the daily rise in infections passed 100. This was after sequencing showed the Delta variant had become the prevailing strain of the virus in the country. The National Institute of Public Health estimates there are now 838 active cases in the country. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents is at 40.
        LJUBLJANA - Uroš Novak, one of the two deputy heads of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, sent a letter of resignation to President Borut Pahor in which he cited new professional challenges as the reason for the step. His five-year term would have ended in less than two years.
        LJUBLJANA - The Jewish Cultural Centre Ljubljana and the German Embassy signed an agreement under which the German government will provide EUR 25,000 as part of a EUR 1.2 million renovation project that will see the centre's synagogue reopen for worship in late autumn.
        LJUBLJANA - The Muslim community celebrated Eid al-Adha with a ceremony at the Muslim Cultural Centre in Ljubljana. Leading the prayer, Mufti Nevzet Porić stressed the importance of vaccination and personal responsibility.

WEDNESDAY, 21 July
        WASHINGTON, US - US President Joe Biden nominated prominent Columbia lawyer Jamie L. Harpootlian to be ambassador to Slovenia. She is the wife of South Carolina senator, Democrat Dick Harpootlian, who is not planning to give up his seat to accompany his wife to Slovenia. The new ambassador will succeed Lynda Blanchard, who tendered her resignation after Donald Trump lost the election to Biden.
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - A new proposal for a global framework for biodiversity after 2020 was in the focus of the closing day of the informal meeting of EU environment ministers. Minister Andrej Vizjak said "the time is to stop the trend of declining biodiversity," adding: "ambitious global objectives should be set to contribute to preserving nature, protecting 30% of global land and oceans by 2030 and restoring degraded ecosystems."
        LJUBLJANA - The Administrative Court granted the STA's request to stay the implementation of a regulation adopted by the government in June that introduces detailed rules governing the public service provided by the STA. This was a day after the Government Communication Office sent a final draft of the agreement based on that regulation to the STA with the expectation the agency sign it, having taken into account none of the agency's main remarks.
        NASSAU, the Bahamas - Slovenian freediver Alenka Artnik further improved the constant weight world record she set three days earlier by plunging as far as 122 metres deep at the Vertical Blue competition in the Bahamas.

THURSDAY, 22 July
        LJUBLJANA - The government added cross-border workers to the list of exceptions for quarantine-free entry to Slovenia if they do not have a Covid certificate. The exception, effective as of 23 July, will apply to workers who live up to ten kilometres from the national border.
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU ministers in charge of competitiveness debated the future of Europe's textile and energy-intensive industries at an informal meeting focusing on how these industries can transition to a circular economy.
        LJUBLJANA - The government decided Slovenia will donate equipment to Lithuania to help it stem the flow of illegal migrations from Belarus. Lithuania will get ten kilometres of fence, plus power generators, blankets and ready-made meals.
        LJUBLJANA - The Court of Audit established that remedial measures that were taken by the government and the Agency for Commodity Reserves on the basis of the court's audit of the efficiency of purchases of personal protective and medical equipment had been satisfactory.
        LJUBLJANA - The National Electoral Commission dismissed allegations about voter suppression during the new waters act referendum campaign. Claims that the commission is responsible for issues with informing care home residents, mail voting and early voting stems from false understanding of referendum rules, it said.
        LJUBLJANA - The government appointed two non-executive directors at the Bank Assets Management Company, lawyer Franci Matoz and businessman Gregor Planteu. They will replace Franc Dover, who stepped down effective from 21 July, and Marko Tišma, who started out as non-executive director in 2018 and was dismissed.

24 Jul 2021, 04:17 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Saturday, 24 July 2021

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:

Lenarčič says it is not him who harms Slovenia

BRDO PRI KRANJU - European Commissioner Janez Lenarčič rejected the accusation by Prime Minister Janez Janša that he was acting against Slovenia's interests, as he arrived for an EU ministerial at Brdo estate, saying "Slovenia is being harmed by those who undermine the rule of law and media freedom, rather than those of us who warn of such conduct being problematic". He denied the allegation by Janša in the wake of his comments on the European Commission's Rule of Law report that he sought for strings to be attached to Slovenia's EU recovery funds.

European affairs ministers urge coherent action in time of crises

BRDO PRI KRANJU - After an informal meeting of the EU ministers for European affairs, Slovenian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Gašper Dovžan and European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič noted that it had been agreed that the EU must be integrated and coordinated in the time of crises. Lenarčič announced drafting of scenarios for future crises, on the basis of which European resilience objectives will be prepared. The pair stressed the importance of cooperation with the Western Balkan countries, representatives of which attended a part of today's meeting.

Matoz named BAMC chairman

LJUBLJANA - Franci Matoz, a prominent lawyer, was named chairman of the board of directors of the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC), Slovenia's bad bank. The news comes just a day after the government appointed Matoz, best known as a long-time legal representative of Prime Minister Janez Janša and his Democratic Party (SDS), a non-executive director to replace a director who stepped down last week. Gregor Planteu was named a non-executive alongside Matoz. Non-executives then elected Matoz chairman.

Certificate checking mandatory from today

LJUBLJANA - Organisers of public events and gatherings must check visitors' Covid certificates from today under a regulation that the government put in place yesterday. A mobile app has been released, for now only for devices running Google's Android operating system. A version for Apple devices is expected within two weeks. The checking of compliance is coupled with shorted validity of both rapid tests and the more reliable PCR tests, now valid for 48 and 72 hours, respectively, rather than a week. Health Minister Janez Poklukar said the app would not share any personal data with the organisers. The Information Commissioner launched a supervision of the app, warning of a potential lack of a relevant legal basis.

Report of Janša's vacations with lobbyists in Mauritius raising dust

LJUBLJANA - The web portal Necenzurirano reported that PM Janez Janša had been holidaying in Mauritius for almost 20 years, playing golf and socialising with lobbyist Božo Dimnik and entrepreneur Andrej Marčič, representatives of the largest healthcare suppliers in Slovenia. Part of the opposition demanded a debate in parliament. On the other hand, the prime minister's office noted that Janša had never been on the island during the time when he served as prime minister.

58 new Covid cases reported for Thursday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's daily coronavirus count dropped for the second straight day week-on-week as the country logged 58 new cases for Thursday. According to data released by the National Institute of Public Health, 1,641 PCR tests were performed yesterday, for a positivity rate of 3.5%. The estimated number of active cases has dropped to 818, as the 7-day average case count fell by one to 59 and the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents was down two to 38.

EUR 65 million available for reducing wait times

LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry has made EUR 65 million available for the reduction in waiting times for health services. More than 20,000 patients are expected to benefit, according to Health Minister Janez Poklukar. Slovenia's health system has been plagued by long waiting times for years, a situation exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Poklukar said more than 70,000 people were currently waiting for their first specialist exam and over 100,000 are in line for specialist services.

Tourism picking up as June figures substantially up

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's tourism is beginning to pick up with fresh statistics showing visitor numbers and nights spent at tourism accommodation facilities rose substantially year-on-year in June. Arrivals were up by 54.7% to over 375,000 and nights spent rose by 66.7% to over a million, data from the Statistics Office show. Slovenian tourists accounted for 69% of the nights spent. Their numbers were up by 62% and foreigners' by 42%. Both spent most of their nights in the coastal municipality of Piran.

Revoz struggling with chip shortage

NOVO MESTO - Revoz, Renault's Novo Mesto-based assembly plant, will have two sets of collective leave this summer due to a shortage of chips that has plagued the automotive industry worldwide. The company says it will be difficult to meet production targets. Workers were sent on three-week leave or furlough in early July. Production resumed for a week until next Thursday, when all 2,400 workers will be sent on three-week leave again, head of corporate communications Nevenka Bašek Zildžović told the STA.

Business confidence down in July

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's business confidence indicator declined in July, ending seven months of growth. It was down 2.2 percentage points on the month before but was still 22.6 points up on the annual level, the latest Statistics Office data show. All sub-indicators declined at the monthly level, led by a 1.2-point drop in the services sector. Manufacturing was down 0.3 points and retail by 0.5 points. Consumer confidence was 0.2 points lower and the construction sector reported a 0.1-point drop.

High youth turnout in waters act referendum

LJUBLJANA - Youth turned out in great numbers in the referendum on the government-sponsored waters act on 11 July with data from the National Electoral Commission showing 46.66% of the eligible voters aged 18 to 30 cast their ballots. Their vote represented 15.3% of the overall vote. Overall, the turnout stood at 46.39%. By comparison, the turnout in the youngest group of voters in the 2018 general election stood at 40.54%. They contributed 12.57% of all ballots.

Slovenia with multiple medal favourites in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Slovenia is fielding 54 athletes at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo starting today, including numerous candidates for medals. Kayaker Eva Terčelj and table tennis player Bojan Tokić will bear the Slovenian flag at the opening ceremony. Apart from the men's basketball team, headlined by the young NBA superstar Luka Dončić, Slovenia's favourites include sports climber Janja Garnbret, riders Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, judoka Tina Trstenjak and kayakers Terčelj and Peter Kauzer.

Slovenian athletes not to carry EU flag at Olympic opening ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected a call by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša to feature a European flag at the opening ceremony carried by the Slovenian team. An IOC spokesperson told the Brussels-based news portal Politico that "an Olympic team can only use one flag, one emblem and one anthem adopted by its National Olympic Committee and approved by the IOC Executive Board."

Slovenian research sheds new light on microbiome

LJUBLJANA - A group of Slovenian researchers has created software that helps scientists analyse the content of microbiomes, the communities of microorganisms living in the human gut, in order to detect specific pathways that may indicate the presence of a disease. The discovery creates opportunities for the development of new personalised-medicine therapies. The paper has been published in the journal Metabolites (https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/11/6/336) and is featured on its front page.

23 Jul 2021, 17:48 PM

PM Janša Reported to Have Been Vacationing in Mauritius with Healthcare Lobbyists for Almost 20 Years

STA, 23 July 2021 - Following a report that PM Janez Janša has been holidaying in Mauritius with representatives of the largest healthcare suppliers in Slovenia for years, part of the opposition has demanded a debate in parliament. On the other hand, the prime minister's office noted that Janša had never been on the island when he served as prime minister.

It was reported by the web portal Necenzurirano on Friday that Janša has been holidaying on the exotic island east of Madagascar for almost 20 years, playing golf and socialising with lobbyist Božo Dimnik and entrepreneur Andrej Marčič.

Marčič is the owner and director of the IT company Marand, which together with affiliated companies has generated in the last 20 years more than EUR 100 million in turnover with budget users alone.

Janša's son Žan was reportedly employed in one of his companies for several years, according to Necenzurirano.

Tu je fotografija, ki dokazuje, da predsednik @vladaRS in @strankaSDS Janez Janša že od leta 2003 z največjimi dobavitelji slovenskega zdravstva dopustuje v mondenih letoviščih na otoku Mavricij v Indijskem oceanu.https://t.co/57CzJnqCIU
— necenzurirano.si (@necenzurirano_) July 23, 2021

Dimnik is also an entrepreneur and lobbyist. The company Medias International, which is owned by his daughter Diana, and which sells medical equipment and material, has generated EUR 200 million in turnover with health institutions in Slovenia.

The prime minister's office reacted to the report by telling the STA Janša had played golf in Mauritius several times, "which is publicly known and has been published many times. He was never in Mauritius during the time when he was prime minister."

Necenzurirano noted that the ruling Democrats (SDS), which is headed by Janša, had been publicly warning about systemic corruption in healthcare and forming parliamentary inquiry commissions regarding purchase of medical equipment.

This is what opposition Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) deputy Jerca Korče also noted in her statement to the press, adding that the "SDS has been selling us for all those years the story about tentacles and corruption and cronyism in healthcare."

It is more than obvious that they have only been diverting attention from the fact that they themselves are the core of the deep state," she added.

The LMŠ will thus call a session of the parliamentary Public Finance Oversight Commission, which according to Korče should look into the deals made at the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic with "one of the golf friends of Prime Minister Janša".

The commission should also establish how the contract with the Secretariat-General of the Government had been concluded, and what impact Janša's holidaying with the supplier had on the conclusion of this contract.

According to Korče, the matter should be also examined by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and the Court of Audit.

The LMŠ deputy said that for someone who has been holding public offices for many years it was "important who are you spending your holidays with and what are the consequences of such holidays".

Korče added that the story featured too many connected facts that one could say that it was only a coincidence.

Violeta Tomić of the Left also announced a strong reaction from the opposition. She said that "always when Janša is in power, public money pours into the pockets of friends and people with the party membership", while at the same time they are establishing inquiry commissions and talking about zero tolerance to corruption in healthcare.

The opposition Social Democrats (SD) meanwhile said on Twitter that it now depended only on New Slovenia (NSi) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) "how long the National Assembly will tolerate severe corruption risks".

"Janez Janša making a mockery of the state may be ended either by elections or vote of no confidence. We can only hope that interference in the police has not hampered prosecution of corruption," the party added.

23 Jul 2021, 17:37 PM

Olympics: Slovenia Sends 54 Athletes to Tokyo, Multiple Medal Favourites

STA, 23 July 2021 - Slovenia will be fielding a total of 54 athletes at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, taking place from 23 July to 8 August, including numerous candidates for medals. This is actually the smallest Slovenian team at the Summer Olympics since 1996, even though the men's national basketball team makes its appearance for the first time.

In 1996 in Atlanta, US, Slovenia fielded 37 athletes, after appearing for the first time as an independent nation in Barcelona in 192 with 35 participants. The largest team was fielded in Athens in 2004 (79).

This year the Summer Olympics will feature the Slovenian men's basketball team for the first time, headlined by the young NBA superstar Luka Dončić.

Dončić is only one big name from Slovenia coming to Tokyo, as the team features three medal winners from Rio and numerous other favourites in many sports.

Tina Trstenjak will be defending her gold medal in the women's 63kg category in judo, and at least three others are expected to compete for medals, including Ana Velenšek, the bronze medallist in the women's 78kg category from Rio.

Hello, @Tokyo2020 @olympics! This is #TeamSlovenia! ??#imamoto #imamotokio #teamslovenia #tokyo2020 #IfeelSlovenia @SloveniaInfo @kzs_si @Kajakzveza @judoSLO @slo_tabletennis pic.twitter.com/z76Neb4HX6
— Team Slovenia (@TeamSlovenia) July 23, 2021

In kayak/canoe, all eyes will be on Peter Kauzer, who won a silver medal in Brazil four years ago, and the other two whitewater stars - Benjamin Savšek and Eva Terčelj, the latter being the reigning world champion in the women's K1.

According to pundits, one of the largest medal favourites from Slovenia is sport climber Janja Garnbret, who has been almost unbeatable in international competitions lately in the lead and bouldering disciplines.

Garnbret has also made great progress in speed climbing, and is undoubtedly the main favourite for the win in this new Olympic discipline, while her team mate Mia Krampl will be looking for an opportunity from out of the spotlight.

A chapter of its own is cycling, where Slovenia will be represented by four cyclists, including the recent double Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, and his older compatriot Primož Roglič, also one of the best world cyclists at the moment.

On the other hand, golfer Pia Babnik, who scored the first Slovenian win at the Ladies European Tour in June, will represent Slovenia in golf, while in athletics the country counts the most on the young discus thrower Kristjan Čeh.

While Slovenia is fielding the men's basketball team for the first time at the Olympics, it would not be surprising if the team ends up competing for medals, as it cruised to an Olympic berth at a recent qualifying tournament in Lithuania.

Kayaker Terčelj and table tennis player Bojan Tokić will bear the Slovenian flag at the opening ceremony, with the former saying that the task was difficult, while also being a great joy and honour.

"I am honoured, but it is also a great responsibility to bear the flag and representing Slovenia and its colours there. I will give my best for this task and enjoy this special event," Terčelj added.

According to the Associated Press, Slovenia is projected to win seven medals at the Olympics, including one gold, by Janja Garnbret in sport climbing.

23 Jul 2021, 14:32 PM

Event Organisers Must Check COVID Certificates from Today (23/07)

STA, 23 July 2021 - Organisers of public events and gatherings must check visitors' Covid certificates as of Friday under a regulation that the government put in place yesterday. A mobile app has been released, for now only for devices running Google's Android operating system. A version for Apple devices is expected within two weeks.

Visitors to public events have long had to comply with the requirement that they be vaccinated, tested or have recovered from coronavirus, but from now organisers must check compliance.

When a Covid certificate QR code is scanned with the app, the only information that shows up is the holder's name, date of birth and whether they have a valid Covid certificate, according to Anže Kavšek, who works in tech support at the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ).

The checking of compliance is coupled with shorted validity of both rapid tests and the more reliable PCR tests. Until yesterday a week-old test sufficed for admission to public events and religious gatherings, now a rapid test is valid for 48 hours and a PCR test 72 hours, the same time windows that apply when crossing the border.

The NIJZ said this was a decision backed by science since reliability declines strongly after 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The new time windows are in place until 1 August for now.

Health Minister Janez Poklukar told today's press conference that the app would not share any personal data with the organisers. Neither would they be able to see which of the three Covid certificate conditions has been met, he added. The minister highlighted that only the police could ID people, however in the event of potential abuses of the app or wrongdoings, he expects citizens would report this to the authorities.

The Information Commissioner has launched a supervision of the new app, which is reportedly the same as the one checked by the police at border crossings, warning of a potential lack of a legal basis.

Quoting media reports, Information Commissioner Mojca Prelesnik said that transposing apps which had been used by the police to the private sector should not be done without an appropriate legal framework. Moreover, personal data should not be processed for various purposes without an appropriate legal basis, she warned.

Prelesnik also highlighted that any restrictions and related personal data processing should be in line with the Constitution, law and the principle of proportionality. She noted in a press release that her office had not been informed about the details of the app so far and had not been given access to it beforehand to weigh in on it.

23 Jul 2021, 13:01 PM

June Tourism Numbers Show Significant Increases on 2020

STA, 23 July 2021 - Slovenia's tourism is beginning to pick up with fresh statistics showing visitor numbers rose by well over 50% and nights spent at tourism accommodation facilities by almost 70% year-on-year in June.

Arrivals were up by 54.7% to over 375,000 and nights spent rose by 66.7% compared with June last year to over a million, data from the Statistics Office show.

Slovenian tourists accounted for 69% of the nights spent. Most of those were spent in the coastal municipalities of Piran and Izola and Brežice in the east, known for the spa Terme Čatež.

The number of domestic tourists rose by 62% year-on-year to almost 249,100 as foreign visitor numbers increased by 42% to just over 126,000. The latter accounted for just over 317,500 nights spent.

Germans accounted for 20% of the nights spent by foreign tourists, followed by Austrians (15%), Hungarians (9%), Czechs (7%) and Italians (6%).

Both domestics and foreign guests spent most of their nights in Piran (121,800 and 48,200, respectively), however, while other coastal and spa destinations followed as their destinations of choice for Slovenian guests, foreign guests preferred Ljubljana, Bled, Bovec and Bohinj as their other choices.

Hotels were where the 39% of the nights were spent, followed by private rooms, apartments and houses (22%) and campsites (18%).

In the first half of the year tourism accommodation facilities recorded some 572,700 arrivals and 1.7 million nights spent, which is down 38% and 33% year-on-year, respectively. 66% of the nights spent were by locals.

23 Jul 2021, 12:43 PM

Cross-Border Workers Added to List for Quarantine-Free Entry to Slovenia

STA, 22 July 2021 - The government has added cross-border workers to the list of exceptions for quarantine-free entry to Slovenia if they do not have a Covid certificate. The exception will apply to workers who live up to ten kilometres from the national border.

Under the decree adopted on Thursday, cross-border workers employed in one of the member states of the EU or the Schengen Area are permitted to enter Slovenia under these conditions.

Their residence in Slovenia, though, needs to be not farther than ten kilometres away from the national border. The distance from the border, measured as the crow flies, will be determined with Google maps.

Cross-border worker are required to return within five days after they cross into another country. It is a temporary exception that is expected to be in force until 15 August, and not later than until 1 September, the Government Communication Office said.

As of 15 July, Slovenia no longer applies lists of countries relative to the epidemiological situation, as all persons entering the country must produce a certificate proving that they have been tested, recovered or vaccinated against Covid-19. Otherwise they are ordered to quarantine.

So far, the exceptions applied to children under 15, owners of property both sides of the borders and people who are transiting through Slovenia. There has been significant criticism as to cross-border workers having not been put among the exceptions.

22 Jul 2021, 21:08 PM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 23 July 2021

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:

Cross-border workers added to exceptions for entry to Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The government added cross-border workers to the list of exceptions for quarantine-free entry to Slovenia if they do not have a Covid certificate. The exception will apply to workers who live up to ten kilometres from the national border. Cross-border workers are required to return within five days after they cross into another country. It is a temporary exception that is expected to be in force until 15 August, and not later than until 1 September.

Ministers debate future of textile, energy intensive industries

BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU ministers in charge of competitiveness debated the future of Europe's textile and energy-intensive industries at an informal meeting focusing on how these industries can transition to a circular economy. "Sustainable development is very important for industry, the preservation and improvement of long-term prosperity as well as the fight against climate change and efforts for a safe and inclusive society," Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said. The meeting also featured several successful companies from the textile and energy-intensive sectors.

New digital transformation office established

LJUBLJANA - The government established a new Digital Transformation Office, which will be headed by Mark Boris Andrijanič, who was recently appointed minister without portfolio for digital transformation. The new office will monitor and analyse digital transformation at the national and regional levels, draw up strategic documents, coordinate their implementation, and manage its own digital transformation projects. Both Andrijanič and Prime Minister Janez Janša have said that Slovenia is lagging behind in digitalisation and fast steps are needed to narrow the gap to the digital leaders.

Two non-executive directors appointed at bad bank

LJUBLJANA - The government appointed two non-executive directors at the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC), lawyer Franci Matoz and Gregor Planteu, who was until recently the government's trustee on the board of retailer Mercator. The new appointees will replace Franc Dover, who stepped down earlier this week, and Marko Tišma, who started out as non-executive director in 2018 and was dismissed today. The appointment of Franci Matoz was proposed by the Finance Ministry, whereas the replacement of Tišma with Planteu was proposed by the Economy Ministry, the Government Communications Office said.

Lawyer Jamie Harpootlian nominated for US ambassador to Slovenia

WASHINGTON, US - US President Joe Biden on Wednesday nominated prominent Columbia lawyer Jamie L. Harpootlian to be ambassador to Slovenia. She is the wife of South Carolina Senator, Democrat Dick Harpootlian. After being confirmed by the US Senate, the new ambassador will succeed Lynda Blanchard, who tendered her resignation in January after Donald Trump lost to Biden in last year's presidential election. Since then Susan K. Falatko has served as chargé d'affaires at the US Embassy in Ljubljana.

Event organisers will have to check Covid certificates

LJUBLJANA - The government decided to make verification of Covid certificate compliance mandatory at all public events and gatherings. Persons who do not have a Covid certificate - a paper of electronic document proving that they have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months - must be prohibited from entering the venue, the government said. "It is about those attending events doing so safely and with the knowledge that they will not get sick," Mateja Logar, the head of the government's Covid advisory group, told the press.

Slovenia's first children's house formally established

LJUBLJANA - The government established the country's first Barnahus for children in the form of a public institute that will be dedicated to comprehensive treatment of children involved in criminal proceedings as victims, witnesses or perpetrators. The basis for the children's house is the law passed by the National Assembly at the end of March, which stipulates that comprehensive treatment of children is performed as a public service financed by the state. The law introduces the internationally established model that has also been recognised as good practice by the Council of Europe.

Slovenia donates fence, equipment to help Lithuania stem migrations

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will donate equipment to Lithuania to help it stem the flow of illegal migrations from Belarus. Under the government decision adopted, Lithuania will get ten kilometres of fence, plus power generators, blankets and ready-made meals. Lithuania has asked EU member states to help and Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite addressed a letter to Slovenian counterpart Aleš Hojs asking for assistance in the construction of physical barriers on the border with Belarus.

Court of Audit happy with PPE procurement remedial measures

LJUBLJANA - The Court of Audit established that remedial measures that were taken by the government and the Agency for Commodity Reserves on the basis of the court's audit of the efficiency of purchases of personal protective and medical equipment had been satisfactory. Nevertheless, the court's post-audit report reminds the government that changes are still needed to set out in more detail responsibilities of relevant stakeholders. The audit report, released on 18 March, found major faults with the PPE procurement scheme.

Industry chamber supports second unit at Krško N-plant

LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) backed the planned construction of the second unit at the Krško nuclear power station, noting that before the project is launched, its price tag should be set out in a transparent and precise way, all safety conditions should be made clear, and a broad social consensus should be reached. The GZS sees Unit 2 as a way to ensure a stable and autonomous electricity supply as one of the main prerequisites for a successful economy.

Daily coronavirus count drops to 69

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 69 new coronavirus infections for Wednesday, in what marks a week-on-week drop after two days that the daily count was up. One Covid-19 patient died. Official data show that 1,446 PCR tests were conducted yesterday, for a positivity rate of 4.8%. The estimated number of active cases remains at 838, while the 7-day case count average and the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents both rose to 60 and 40, respectively.

Electoral commission rejects allegations of referendum irregularities

LJUBLJANA - The National Electoral Commission (DVK) dismissed allegations about voter suppression during the new waters act referendum campaign. The criticism saying that the commission is responsible for issues with informing care home residents, mail voting and early voting stems from false understanding of referendum rules, the DVK said.

Consumer confidence slightly deteriorates

LJUBLJANA - Consumer confidence weakened in July by one percentage point compared with the month before but improved by 10 points year-on-year to three percentage points above the long-term average. The Statistics Office reported that the monthly decrease was mostly due to consumers being more pessimistic about the economic situation in the country (-8 points). Year-on-year improvements were recorded across all components of the indicator.

May pay up in nominal terms, down in real terms

LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in Slovenia in May stood at EUR 2,008, up 0.7% nominally on April and down 0.2% in real terms. Totalling EUR 1,287, the average net pay was up 0.6% in nominal terms and down 0.3% in real terms, the Statistics Office said. Average gross pay increased by 5.1% in the public sector, whereas it decreased by 2.1% in the private sector. Education saw the most significant increase, at 12%.

Artnik improves own free diving world record

NASSAU, the Bahamas - Slovenian freediver Alenka Artnik further improved the constant weight world record she set three days ago by plunging as far as 122 metres deep at the Vertical Blue competition in the Bahamas. "The dive was absolutely magical, so controlled and relaxed," Artnik said in announcing her feat in a post on her Facebook profile. Artnik set a new world record in her discipline three days ago, diving 120 metres deep into Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island, the Bahamas.

Mura pull out a goalless draw against Ludogorets

MURSKA SOBOTA - Slovenian football champions Mura pulled out a goalless draw against Bulgaria's Ludogorets in the first leg of the second round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League at home on Wednesday, which means their potential promotion to the third round will be decided in the fixture in Bulgaria next Wednesday. Mura were on the defensive for most of the game, they came closest to actually scoring a goal as Žiga Kous hit the woodwork in the 84th minute.

22 Jul 2021, 16:15 PM

Event Organisers in Slovenia Now Have to Check COVID Certificates – No Entry for Those Without

STA, 22 July 2021 - Covid certificates have been mandatory for all guests at events for some time, but they have rarely been checked at the gate. Now, the government has decided to make verification of compliance mandatory at all events.

Persons who do not have a Covid certificate - a paper of electronic document proving that they have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months - must be prohibited from entering the venue, the government said after Thursday's session.

"This is not about imposing additional burdens on anyone ... it is about those attending events doing so safely and with the knowledge that they will not get sick," Mateja Logar, the head of the government's Covid advisory group, told the press.

Compliance will be checked with an app developed by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), which only verifies the Covid certificate without revealing personal data, according to Logar.

The new rules enter into effect a day after they are published in the Official Gazette.

22 Jul 2021, 14:40 PM

Freediving: Artnik Breaks Own World Record With 122m Dive

STA, 22 July 2021 - Slovenian freediver Alenka Artnik has further improved the constant weight world record she set three days ago by plunging as far as 122 metres deep at the Vertical Blue competition in the Bahamas.

"The dive was absolutely magical, so controlled and relaxed," Artnik said in announcing her feat in a post on her Facebook profile.

Artnik set a new world record in her discipline three days ago, diving 120 metres deep into Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island, the Bahamas.

This was after she entered the competition with a dive of 118 metres.

She said she would write a bit more about her latest achievement later, adding: "Now I just want to enjoy the moment and rest."

She also posted photos of her newest record-breaking dive, which lasted 3:34 minutes.

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