28 Apr 2021, 12:36 PM

Slovenian Foreign Minister Claims Paper Re-Drawing Western Balkans Doesn’t Exist

STA, 27 April 2021 - Foreign Minister Anže Logar said the "phantom non-paper" on Western Balkans that some media attributed to Slovenia does not exist and discussion on that damaged Slovenia as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina, at a debate by the foreign policy and EU affairs committees late on Monday.

The minister reiterated that Slovenia's strategy to Western Balkans had not changed. On the contrary, Slovenia has invested additional efforts since the preparation of an EU-Western Balkans was a major priority for Slovenia's upcoming EU presidency.

"Nobody, and I mean nobody, expects that opposition politicians will denigrate the country in Slovenia just so that they will somehow harm the country this way. This simply does not exist in a developed democratic mentality."

So this is apparently #Slovenia's non-paper, whose existence has been denied, calling for #Bosnia-#Herzegovina's dissolution and the unification of #Kosovo and #Albania, amongst other things. The document was leaked by @necenzurirano_. pic.twitter.com/OhIfWosa2C
— Ian Bancroft (@bancroftian) April 15, 2021

The statement came at a joint session requested by the opposition in the aftermath of media reports that Prime Minister Janez Janša had circulated a non-paper that spoke about the redrawing of borders along ethnic lines in the Balkans.

The MPs wanted Janša, who has dismissed the notion that he had anything to do with the published non-paper, to appear live, but he did not attend, quoting other obligations.

President Borut Pahor's foreign policy advisor Smiljana Knez told MPs the president had dedicated a lot of attention to the region for years and was an advocate of he preservation of territorial integrity of countries in the region and the resolution of disputes between them in a neighbourly spirit.

She said Pahor had been warning regional leaders and EU institutions that EU enlargement may not be just a technical process, it should be framed geopolitically.

Knez reiterated Pahor's statement that the president had not been informed of any non-paper concerning Western Balkans that had been the subject of media reports.

Jerneje Jug Jerše, the head of the European Commission's Liaison Office in Slovenia, said the European Commission did not have knowledge about informl documents concerning Western Balkans.

EU officials in general have denied having knowledge of such a non-paper, most recently the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who said yesterday he had not received such a document but had heard about it, adding that this was "a non-issue".

The same message was delivered by Janez Stušek, the director of the Slovenian intelligence agency SOVA, who said the agency did not have information about the existence of an alleged non-paper that is being linked to the Slovenian government.

The agency started checking certain activities concerning this document after it was published in the media, in particular the potential consequences thereof for bilateral relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina and the upcoming EU presidency.

According to Stušek, the agency did not have information indicating that the publication of the document posed a threat to Slovenia's national security, but it assessed that if the alleged non-paper continues to be linked to Slovenia, this could jeopardise its security, economic and political interests in the region.

The story broke non 12 April when a Bosnian portal, politički.ba, published a piece alleging that a non-paper attributed to Slovenia exists.

A Slovenian portal, necenzurirano.si, on 15 April published a document that speaks about redrawing borders. It said its authorship could not be verified.

Logar said that the author of the original article had sold weapons and had been involved in a Bosnian scandal involving medical ventilators.

The Government Communications Office last week issued a denial concerning Slovenian authorship of the alleged non-paper that was circulated to media in the region.

28 Apr 2021, 10:14 AM

Stricter Residence Conditions for Foreigners Take Effect in Slovenia

STA, 27 April 2021 - Amendments to the foreigners act that tighten residence conditions for foreign citizens in Slovenia and introduce the concept of a complex migration emergency took effect on Tuesday. Declaring the latter would require an absolute majority in parliament.

If a complex emergency is declared under deteriorating migration-related conditions, implementation of the international protection act could be suspended, and access to asylum in Slovenia would be restricted.

Police officers would be able to reject the intention from a foreigner to submit an application for international protection, except if they detect during the procedure certain systemic shortcomings that could put the foreigner under risk of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment in the country where they are being returned to.

Under the new legislation, the health condition of foreigners would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The passage of the legislation in parliament was marked by warnings from the opposition that the criteria for declaring a complex crisis had not been clearly defined.

Criticism was also levelled at the provisions under which the police will assess if a migrant is indeed an unaccompanied minor, with MPs arguing that the police are not appropriately trained for that.

The government argued that the amendments were needed to prevent mass abuses, as organised criminal groups make money by smuggling migrants.

And Interior Minister Aleš Hojs noted that the concept of a complex emergency had already been introduced earlier and that the amendments strictly followed the request of the Constitutional Court that each person be treated individually.

The changes also transpose an EU directive that regulates the situation of foreign students and researchers in Slovenia, and extend the deadline for reuniting families up to two years.

Moreover, Slovenian language skills have been made the new requirement for asylum seekers - a foreigner who is entering the country for the first time should have a basic knowledge of the language.

The A2 level is meanwhile a threshold set for a foreigner who has been residing in Slovenia several years.

While the law formally takes effect today, its application has been deferred until the end of May.

28 Apr 2021, 08:15 AM

End of Covid Checkpoints on Borders with Austria & Italy, More Changes to Red List

STA, 27 April 2021 - Checkpoints on Slovenia's border with Italy and Austria, introduced to help contain the coronavirus epidemic, will be removed under a new decree that takes effect on Wednesday.

The checkpoints on Slovenia's other internal Schengen border, with Hungary, remain in place, the government has decided.

Another change is the recognition upon arrival of PCR tests performed in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel and Russia.

So far only PCR tests from the EU, non-EU Schengen zone members and the UK were recognised in lieu of a mandatory quarantine.

There are also some minor changes regarding the red list of countries from which arrivals must quarantine unless they produce a negative test, proof of vaccination, or are among the exemptions to the quarantine requirement.

Among European countries, Finland is no longer on the red list and Malta has been added. There are also changes for individual administrative units of Portugal, Greece, Spain and Norway.

28 Apr 2021, 04:36 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, 28 April 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:

Foreign minister says "phantom non-paper" does not exist

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar said the "phantom non-paper" on Western Balkans that some media attributed to Slovenia does not exist and discussion on that damaged Slovenia as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina, at a debate by the foreign policy and EU affairs committees late on Monday. The minister reiterated that Slovenia's strategy to Western Balkans had not changed. On the contrary, Slovenia has invested additional efforts since the preparation of an EU-Western Balkans was a major priority for Slovenia's upcoming EU presidency.

Checkpoints on border with Austria, Italy gone as of Wednesday

LJUBLJANA - Checkpoints on Slovenia's border with Italy and Austria, introduced to help contain the coronavirus epidemic, will be removed under a new decree that takes effect on Wednesday. The checkpoints on Slovenia's other internal Schengen border, with Hungary, remain in place. Another change is the recognition upon arrival of PCR tests performed in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel and Russia.

Liberation Front's foundation remembered on Resistance Day

RIBNICA/LJUBLJANA - Slovenia observed Resistance Day, remembering the day 80 years ago when the Liberation Front, an organisation that spearheaded armed resistance against the occupying forces in WWII, was established. The keynote speaker at the main ceremony, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, highlighted the role resistance has played throughout the nation's survival, describing it as "a pillar of our identity". President Borut Pahor urged Slovenians to respect each other, stressing that what brings the nation together outweighs what tears it apart with regard to recent history.

Anti-government protest held in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Several thousand people defied the ban on gatherings to mount an anti-government protest that wound its way through the centre of Ljubljana, with protesters stopping in front of the Government Palace, Presidential Palace and Parliament House. The rally was organised by the same leftist activist groups that have staged weekly anti-government demonstrations since last spring and was timed to coincide with Resistance Day. Protesters chanted slogans against the government and demanded a return to democracy.

Law introducing tougher foreigner residence conditions takes effect

LJUBLJANA - Amendments to the foreigners act that tighten residence conditions for foreign citizens in Slovenia and introduce the concept of a complex migration emergency took effect. If a complex emergency is declared under deteriorating migration-related conditions, implementation of the international protection act could be suspended, and access to asylum in Slovenia would be restricted.

Daily count ticks up to 807 as share of positive cases climbs

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 807 new cases of coronavirus for Monday, a tenth higher than a week ago despite a lower number of overall tests. More then 22% of all PCR tests were positive. Seven patients with Covid-19 died. The total number of Covid-19 patients rose by six to 649, of whom 161 were in intensive case, up by three.

Slovenia to open embassy in South Korea, consulate in Las Palmas

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will open an embassy in South Korea and a consulate under a decisions published in the Official Gazette. Slovenia currently has two consulates in South Korea, in Seoul and Daegu. The Official Gazette also carries the announcement of the opening of a consulate in Las Palmas, Spain, which will be headed by honorary consul Pedro Gomez Fernandez and will cover the Canary Islands.

Mercator ended 2020 deep in the red despite higher revenue

LJUBLJANA - Mercator, Slovenia's largest retailer, saw revenue rose by 1.6% to EUR 2.17 billion in 2020. But it ended the year with a net loss of EUR 156.7 million, largely due to revaluation of property and impairments to other assets. Excluding non-recurring results, the group would have posted a net profit of EUR 4.7 million, on a par with the figure for 2019.

Sip Šempeter revenue, profit down in 2020

ŠEMPETER V SAVINJSKI DOLINI - Sip Šempeter, which specialises in the development and production of farm machinery, saw both revenue and profit decline in 2020 after four years of rapid growth. Revenue declined by 3% to EUR 32.5 million, and net profit, at EUR 2.8 million, was down by 17% over the year before, according to director Uroš Korže, who said the year was still good overall.

Tourism businesses want "senseless restrictions" gone

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Tourism and Hospitality Chamber demands that the government immediately change of scale back restrictions in the industry that it deems "senseless" and a drag on business. The chamber made the appeal a day after accommodation was allowed to reopen after several months of complete closure. However, establishments may only open up to 30 rooms.

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27 Apr 2021, 19:25 PM

Thousands Attend Anti-Govt Protest in Ljubljana

STA, 27 April 2021 - Several thousand people defied the ban on gatherings on Tuesday to mount an anti-government protest that wound its way through the centre of Ljubljana, with protesters stopping in front of the Government Palace, Presidential Palace and Parliament House.

The rally, which started in Prešeren Square, was organised by the same leftist activist groups that have staged weekly anti-government demonstrations since last spring and was timed to coincide with Resistance Day, which commemorates the start of resistance against occupying forces in WWII.

One of the organisers, a Facebook group called Popular Protest Assembly, said the rally was a call for "freedom, democracy, rule of law and the immediate resignation of Janez Janša and new elections".

It said this year's Resistance Day was "dedicated to the new united front" which is fighting repression and "reign of terror". It accused the government of having mounted attacks on groups including cultural workers, media, NGOs and intellectuals.

Several speakers appeared, including Živa Vidmar, the daughter of Liberation Front founder Josip Vidmar, journalism professor Sandra Bašič Hrvatin, criminal law expert Dragan Petrovec, environmentalist Uroš Macerl and poet Boris A. Novak. Choirs sang Partisan songs of resistance.

Protesters wore banners with slogans including Janšism = Fascism, Youths Care, People Have the Power, slogans in favour of the protection of drinking water, and flags with bicycles, which have become the symbol of anti-government protests.

The group then made their way to the square in front of Parliament House past the Government Palace and the Presidential Palace. Speeches were delivered at all the locations.

Such protests have been held for a year and were a weekly occurrence through autumn, when a lockdown was imposed. They started again last week after restrictions were eased.

Police said in advance of the protest today they would monitor the gathering and compliance with restrictions. There were no immediate reports of any altercations with the police.

The current rule is that up to ten people may gather, with ten square metres per person a minimum requirement. Social media livestreams indicate distancing was not observed and although most were wearing masks, many were unmasked.

27 Apr 2021, 10:31 AM

Slovenia Marks WW2 Resistance Against Fascist Occupation with National Holiday

STA, 27 April 2021 - Slovenia observes Resistance Day (Dan upora proti okupatorju) on Tuesday, remembering the day 80 years ago when the Liberation Front, an organisation that spearheaded armed resistance against the occupying forces in WWII, was established. Several events will be held, including a national ceremony with Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek delivering the key-note.

The ceremony will be held on Mala Gora, a hill near Ribnica in the south where the first armed clash on Slovenian soil took place after the occupation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The event will be attended by senior officials, including President Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Janez Janša.

Pahor will also address Slovenian citizens together with Marijan Križman, the head of the WWII Veterans' Association.

He will open the Presidential Palace to the public as was the case before the pandemic, yet in a limited scope, only for the association's representatives.

Pahor and Križman will also lay a wreath at the memorial to the Liberation Front in front of Vidmar's Villa, the house under Rožnik hill where the organisation was founded.

On the eve of the holiday, the German Embassy unveiled a memorial plaque in the villa, which Germany bought in 2016 and turned it into a residence of its ambassador.

Pahor said this symbolic gesture bore great significance for the future because it is based on the spirit of reconciliation ingrained into "our common European homeland".

The holiday was also marked by the WWII Veterans Association last evening, with Križman saying 80 years after the Liberation Front had been established, the times called for "liberating the Slovenian nation once again" as he criticised the government for curtailing fundamental rights under the pretext of containing the epidemic.

For Slovenians, World War II started on 6 April 1941, when Germany attacked Yugoslavia. The Anti-Imperialist Front, as the Liberation Front was initially known, was formed 20 days later, on 26 April 1941. The fact that its establishment is marked on 27 April is due to a minor historical error.

The Liberation Front was founded at the home of the intellectual Josip Vidmar (1895-1992) by representatives of the Communist Party of Slovenia, the Sokoli gymnastic society, the Christian Socialists and a group of intellectuals.

Photos of Slovenia near the end of WW2

27 Apr 2021, 10:15 AM

Plaque Unveiled at Vidmar's Villa to Mark Slovenia’s Anti-Fascist WWII Resistance

STA, 26 April - President Borut Pahor and German Ambassador to Slovenia Natalie Kauther have unveiled a memorial plaque marking the 80th anniversary of the Liberation Front and the resistance of Slovenians against Fascism. The plaque was unveiled on Monday, the eve of Resistance Day at the house where the resistance organisation was founded.

Kauther took the opportunity to apologise on behalf of Germany for the horrors committed during WWII, while Pahor stressed the significance of the gesture for the future.

The Liberation Front was founded on 26 April 1941 at Vidmar's Villa, which is named after its former owner Josip Vidmar (1895-1992), a co-founder of the Liberation Front. Germany bought it in 2016 and turned it into a residence of the German ambassador.

Kauther said the German Embassy felt "great responsibility to treat the house and its history with due care and preserve the memory of what happened here 80 years ago".

Danes, na predvečer dneva upora proti okupatorju, se je predsednik Republike Slovenije Borut Pahor udeležil spominske slovesnosti v Vidmarjevi vili v Rožni dolini, v kateri je bila na današnji dan pred natanko 80 leti ustanovljena Osvobodilna fronta slovenskega naroda. pic.twitter.com/eHORj7y2VS
— Borut Pahor (@BorutPahor) April 26, 2021

She expressed "my gratitude that we Germans were again accepted into the community of nations after all the suffering and atrocities our country caused to many people".

"To be able to cultivate deep friendship with those who used to be our worst enemies and to work together for a better, more just world, is for us a really big gift," the ambassador said in her speech in the Slovenian language.

Pahor thanked the ambassador for the gesture of setting up the memorial plaque together with the Slovenian Museum of Contemporary History.

He said this was "a symbolic act" by Germany that also bore great significance for the future. "It's about the spirit on which our common European homeland is based. Not on forgetting, but on remembering yet sometimes also forgiving to the benefit of coexistence."

Pahor would like Slovenian citizens "to be proud of the resistance" during WWII and understand this too enabled the survival of the Slovenian nation and the foundation of Slovenia.

He urged Slovenians to celebrate Resistance Day "with joy and pride and to remember the roots of the Partisan resistance, without which there would be no national liberation".

27 Apr 2021, 08:00 AM

WWII Veterans' Association Criticizes Govt for Using Epidemic to Curtail Basic Rights

STA, 26 April 2021 - The WWII Veterans' Association marked Resistance Day with a call to "liberate the Slovenian nation once again" as it criticised the authorities for curtailing fundamental rights under the pretext of containing the epidemic.

"Let's fight against the curtailment of basic rights enshrined in the Constitution," the association's head Marijan Križman said at its online ceremony held on the eve of Resistance Day.

Resistance Day marks the establishment of the Liberation Front (Osvobodilna fronta, OF), an organisation which mounted armed resistance against the occupying forces in WWII and was founded in Ljubljana 80 years ago.

Convinced that basic human rights are being violated under the current government, Križman noted that 80 years on, the situation was again ripe for Slovenians to stand up for their rights.

"We do not allow putting young people on trial just because they want to go to school, sanctioning people who dare to voice opposition to government measures, demolishing public RTV Slovenija and STA, intimidating journalists, blocking art and culture."

He went on to list "disgraceful acts" such as vandalising of Liberation Front monuments, hate speech, acts that humiliate Slovenia in Europe and the world, and historical revisionism.

Križman urged Slovenians to celebrate Resistance Day as well as the coming May Day by remembering their ancestors who gave their lives for freedom.

Highlighting the role the Liberation Front played in WWII and the importance of its values today, the association called for respecting basic human rights and values of resistance, freedom, solidarity and equality.

It was because of the Liberation Front that Slovenia was part of the victorious anti-Nazi alliance at the end of the war, Križman stressed.

According to him, there was no civil war in Slovenia during WWII because this is not possible under occupying forces and because opponents of the Liberation Front fought under the direct command of the Fascist and Nazi armed forces.

Križman said that the responsibility for the war that pitted brother against brother had been with church and secular officials who had prioritised their own interests over the nation's survival.

The association therefore rejects current attempts at reconciliation as its members believe that what is presented today as reconciliation is mostly based on historical revisionism which attempts to turn traitors into victims.

The only way to reconcile people is to show historical facts about WWII, Križman noted.

27 Apr 2021, 04:18 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday 27 April, 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:

Logar, Linde talk EU presidency, Ukraine, Russia

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar and Swedish counterpart Ann Linde discussed cooperation in light of the coming Slovenian EU presidency and Sweden's current OSCE chairmanship, as well as relations with Russia, and the Ukraine situation. "Our efforts will be targeted towards strengthening the EU's resilience," Logar told the visiting minister as he presented the priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency. The pair also discussed the Western Balkans, with Logar noting both Slovenia and Sweden considered EU enlargement important for the stability of the region and the entire EU. Linde expressed support for Slovenia's efforts. Broaching relations with Russia, both said that the EU should be united in its stance on the matter. Linde also met President Borut Pahor.

Speaker: Parliament should dissolve unless committee participation issue resolved

LJUBLJANA - Unless MPs find an agreement on the participation of four unaffiliated MPs in parliamentary working bodies, the National Assembly should be dissolved, Speaker Igor Zorčič, himself one of the unaffiliated quartet, told the current-affairs show Politično on Sunday evening. He also commented on ideas coming from the opposition that the unaffiliated group could boycott the parliament unless the issue is resolved. Zorčič believes this would only be beneficial to the coalition.

Slovenia urged to nominate candidates for EU prosecutor's office

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi addressed a letter to Justice Minister Lilijana Kozlovič expressing concern Slovenia has not yet proposed its two candidates to join the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), to be launched on 1 June. "The procedure to select the two European delegated prosecutors from Slovenia ended at the start of December 2020, but almost five months later, the EPPO has not yet received the nominations." Kozlovič had put forward Matej Oštir and Tanja Frank Eler after they were proposed by the State Prosecution Council, but the government has not yet formally got acquainted with the proposal.

Resistance Day marked on the eve of holiday

LJUBLJANA - The WWII Veterans' Association marked Resistance Day with a call to "liberate the Slovenian nation once again" as its head Marijan Križman criticised the authorities for curtailing fundamental rights under the pretext of containing the epidemic. He also said the association rejected current attempts at reconciliation as its members believed they amounted to historical revisionism which attempted to turn traitors into victims. Earlier in the day, the German Embassy unveiled a memorial plaque at the house in which the Liberation Front, which led the armed resistance against the occupying forces, was founded in 1941. Germany bought it in 2016 and turned into its ambassador's residence. Ambassador Natalie Kauther apologised on behalf of Germany for the suffering her country caused during WWII.

Week-on-week decrease in Covid cases back for second day in row

LJUBLJANA - A total of 191 persons tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday in 1,354 PCR tests in what is the second day in a row that the week-on-week decrease in daily case count was back following a short upward curve. Another five Covid-19 patients died. Hospitalisation totalled 643 this morning, up by 13 on Sunday, and the number of ICU cases increased by one to 158.

State asset custodian ends 2020 with 4.3% return on equity

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) posted EUR 26 million in net profit in 2020 after ending 2019 with EUR 16.6 million in net loss. The SSH estimates to have achieved a 4.3% return on equity in 2020, which is 1.6 percentage points below the target. Publishing the annual report for 2020, SSH said that last year's pre-tax profit totalled EUR 26.6 million. The target figure was EUR 39.9 million. Due to restrictions imposed by regulators, the SSH saw a lower total sum of dividends collected last year than expected, which resulted in a shortfall of more than EUR 19 million.

Accommodation facilities reopen, sport events allowed

LJUBLJANA - Accommodation facilities across the country, which is largely in tier orange of restrictions, could reopen in a limited scope, each allowed to accept guests in no more than 30 rooms. All guests must prove they are not infected with coronavirus, either by producing a negative test, a vaccination certificate or proof of having recovered from Covid. Also allowed are sport events and competitions, but without spectators. The tourism sector has welcomed the latest easing of restrictions, but said it came at very short notice and under some unreasonable conditions.

Slovenia wants flexibility in CAP green architecture

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenian officials advocated flexibility in a debate about the "green architecture" of the EU's new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Agriculture Ministry state secretaries Aleš Irgolič and Anton Harej told an online ministerial a two-year pilot period was needed when it came to the CAP climate and environmental component. Another important issue for Slovenia is the definition of active farmer, which should be simple and should not exclude mixed farms or farms with subsidiary activities. Slovenia remains committed to a constructive debate with the aim of achieving a political agreement on a new CAP by June, the Agriculture Ministry said.

STA's revenue up 1% in 2020

LJUBLJANA - The STA generated EUR 4.28 million in revenue in 2020, up 1% on 2019 despite the aggravated situation due to the the Covid epidemic. Net profit reached EUR 17,800, according to the annual business report, which was endorsed by the supervisory board. The STA increased its Slovenian-language news service output by almost 9% over 2019, while the output of its English service increased by 16%, the agency said the session of the supervisors. The supervisors also discussed the government's proposal to dismiss director Bojan Veselinovič, but concluded that in the STA-related March decisions the government refers to an UKOM report, which the supervisors have not yet received.

Fortenova issues letter of intent for Mercator takeover

ZAGREB, Croatia - The Fortenova group issued a letter of intent for the takeover of all outstanding Mercator shares. The expected move comes only days after Fortenova, the successor of defunct Mercator owner Agrokor, took over a majority of Mercator shares from Agrokor. Fortenova currently holds 88.10% of Mercator shares. The takeover bid will follow in no sooner than 10 days and no later than 30.

Govt approval rating lowest yet

LJUBLJANA - The government approval rating hit the lowest level since it took office in March 2020, the most recent Mediana poll showed. While 29.6% of the respondents said they supported the government, as many as 60.9% said the opposite. Meanwhile, the National Assembly's approval rating is even worse, as 19.7% of the respondents said they supported the parliament's work and as many as 66.9% were not supportive of its work. Nevertheless, the senior coalition Democrats (SDS) continue to top the party rankings with 17.6%, a percentage point less than in March.

Ten years since agreement on bilingual signposts in Carinthia

KLAGENFURT, Austria - Exactly ten years ago the Austrian government, the state government of Carinthia and Slovenian minority representatives signed an agreement to erect bilingual town signs in 164 localities in the state. The deal is seen as having helped improve the situation of the minority, but there is still room for improvement. The signs have been set up, but a memorandum accompanying the agreement has been implemented only partly.

Synagogues in Szeged, Murska Sobota in focus of exhibition

LJUBLJANA - An exhibition exploring the architecture of the synagogues in Szeged, Hungary, and the Slovenian city of Murska Sobota was launched to mark the anniversary of the deportation of Prekmurje Jews. Both synagogues were built by Hungarian Jewish architect Lipot Baumhorn, the author of over 20 synagogues. The one in Murska Sobota was demolished by the Communists in 1954 while the synagogue in Szeged remains standing as the second largest synagogue in Hungary.

Two lynxes released into the wild in Gorenjska

BOHINJ - Two lynxes, a male and a female, were released into the wild on Jelovica Plateau a part of efforts to reintroduce the species to north-western Slovenia after a successful rejuvenation of the lynx population in south Slovenia. Zois and Aida were translocated from Romania and will help improve the long-term prospects of the Dinaric-Alpine lynx population, which had been severely inbred and on the verge of extinction not long ago. On Wednesday, three more will be released into the Triglav National Park, as part of LIFE Lynx, an EU-funded project aimed at preserving the Dinaric-Alpine lynx population.

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26 Apr 2021, 12:52 PM

Poll: Support for Govt, Parliament at New Lows, SDS Still Most Popular Party

STA, 26 April 2021 - The government approval rating has hit the lowest level since it took office in March 2020, the most recent Mediana poll shows. While 29.6% of the respondents said they supported the government, as many as 60.9% said the opposite.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's approval rating is even worse, as 19.7% of the respondents said they supported the Parliament's work and as many as 66.9% were not supportive of its work.

Nevertheless, the senior coalition Democrats (SDS) continue to top the party rankings with 17.6%, a percentage point less than in March.

In second place, the Social Democrats (SD) have shed 0.1 percentage point over March and would get 10.8% of the vote. Support for the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) is also down, dropping 1.1 percentage point to 8.5%.

The Left is in place four with 7.9%, a drop of 0.4 percentage points over March, followed by New Slovenia (NSi) with 5.1%, an increase of 0.5 percentage point.

The Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) saw its support decrease by 1.5 percentage points to 4.3%. Of other parliamentary parties, the National Party (SNS) is at 1.4%, while the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) saw its support dwindle to 1.1%.

More than 21% of 714 respondents in the poll said they were undecided, while 11.1% said they would not vote for any of the existing options.

The poll shows Health Minister Janez Poklukar topping the politicians' approval rating, followed by President Borut Pahor, who took over MEP Ljudmila Novak, now in place three.

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