28 Mar 2021, 13:26 PM

Bratislava-Vienna-Split EuroNight Train Will Stop in Maribor, Celje, Sevnica & Dobova

STA, 28 March 2021 - A EuroNight train taking passengers from Slovakia's Bratislava via Vienna to Croatia's coastal city of Split later this year will cross Slovenia, with stops in the Slovenian towns of Maribor, Celje, Sevnica and Dobova.

The first train will leave Bratislava on 18 June before 4pm to arrive in Split next day before 10am, stopping in Slovenia late in the evening, according to the Austrian railways.

The route will be operated twice a week until mid-September, on Tuesdays and Fridays, with return rides scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday.

A return ticket costs less than 60 euro.

The EuroNight will offer car and motorbike transport yet only at train stations in Bratislava, Vienna and Split.

The Croatian tourist authorities hope the new route will enhance the number of Austrian tourists in the region of Dalmatia, in the south, whereas the majority of Austrians spending summer holidays in Croatia vacate more to the north, in Istria, the Bay of Kvarner and around Zadar.

28 Mar 2021, 12:59 PM

Ski Jumping: Nika Križnar Wins Overall World Cup

STA, 28 March 2021 - Nika Križnar has won the overall Ski Jumping World Cup to secure the first ever Crystal Globe trophy in the discipline in the women's competition for Slovenia.

The 21-year-old Slovenian placed third in today's event in Tchaikovsky, Russia, to pip Japanese Sara Takanashi to the trophy by nine points after the second series was cancelled due to strong winds.

The winner of today's event, Austria's Marita Kramer placed third overall, 11 points behind Križnar. Norway's Silje Opseth placed second, while Takanashi placed 7th in the event.

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Kržnar thus won 871 points overall, Takanashi 862 and Kramer 860 points.

Of the 13 World Cup events this season, Križnar won ten podiums, including two victories for what were her first ever career World Cup top finishes.

As part of team Slovenia she has won two podiums this season. Today, Slovenia placed second to finish second overall with 2,883 points, 150 fewer than Austria.

Križnar's is the sixth Globe of the overall World Cup winner in winter sports for Slovenia.

Male ski jumpers Primož Peterka (1996/97 and 1997/98) and Peter Prevc (2015/16) have won three between them and Tina Maze won the Alpine skiing globe (2012/13), while Žan Košir has secured one in the Snowboard World Cup in parallel disciplines (2014/15).

28 Mar 2021, 12:11 PM

Ski Jumping: Germany Win Team Event in Planica (Video)

STA, 28 March 2021 - Germany won the final team event of the Ski Jumping World Cup on the giant hill in Planica on Sunday ahead of Japan and Austria. Slovenia placed fourth, missing the last chance for a team podium this season.

Pius Paschke, Markus Eisenbichler, Constantin Schmid and Kar Geiger secured 819.5 points with jumps of 218, 235.5, 212 and 220.5 metres, beating their Japanese rivals by 9.5 points and Austria by 30.6 points at what was a single-series event.

Despite Bora Pavlovčič's personal best of 243 metres, Slovenia were 3.4 points short for the podium. Domen Prevc landed at 228.5 metres and Peter Prevc at 205 after making a mistake. Žiga Jelar made it to 204.5 metres.

Commenting on the poor showing of his team, coach Robert Hrgota told TV Slovenija: "You mustn't afford a mistake in a single season and we have."

Hrgota praised Bor Pavlovčič for his "excellent flight", but regretted the "failed" attempts by Peter Prevc and Žiga Jelar, while commending Domen on another very solid flight.

Pavlovčič is third after the first series in the individual event. Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi is in the lead ahead of Germany's Karl Geiger.

* Results of team event:
1st Germany      819.5 points
(Pius Paschke 218 m - Constantin Schmid 212 m - Markus Eisenbichler
235.5 m - Karl Geiger 220.5 m)
2nd Japan      810.0
(Naoki Nakamura 225.5 - Junshiro Kobayashi 214 - Yukiya Sato 229.5 -
Ryoyu Kobayashi 226.5)
3rd Austria     788.9
(Daniel Huber 233.5 - Markus Schiffner 213 - Stefan Kraft 208.5 -
Michael Hayböck 218,5)
4th Slovenia    785.5
(Bor Pavlovčič 243 - Peter Prevc 205 - Žiga Jelar 204.5 - Domen
Prevc 228.5)
5th Norway    779.2
(Halvor Egner Granerud 229.5 - Marius Lindvik 198.5 - Johann Andre
Forfang 212 - Robert Johansson 221)
6th Poland      763.9
(Piotr žyla 213 - Andrzej Stekala 222 - Jakub Wolny 214 - Dawid
Kubacki 204)
...

28 Mar 2021, 04:41 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Sunday, 28 March 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:

Over 1,250 tested positive for coronavirus on Friday, three died

LJUBLJANA - The number of positive cases of coronavirus continued to grow in Friday, when 1,253 people tested positive in a total of 6,767 PCR tests, the most recent government data show. The test positivity rate was at 18.5%, while the seven-day average increased by 32, reaching 925. Three people died. Milan Krek, the head of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), said he was not happy with the emerging trend. Considering the epidemiological situation the best course of action would be to shut down public life. However, other factors must be considered as well, he said. A decision is expected tomorrow.

Left starts collecting signatures for anti-military investment referendum

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Left launched a campaign to collect signatures for a referendum that would block military investments after the parliament adopted changes bypassing the Constitutional Court decision to stay the legislation allowing for the investments. This is the second attempt to block the investments with a referendum. The Left finds this option even worse than the original legislation. "There are no limits to prices and the total value is no longer EUR 780 million but could practically be limitless... The government is trying to get a blanc cheque for weapon deals," the Left's deputy group coordinator Luka Mesec said.

Theatres in talks to reopen despite epidemic

LJUBLJANA - Under the government roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions, theatres in Slovenia will not be allowed to reopen until infections have fallen to less than 300 a day. However, theatres have been in talks with government and health officials in a bid to persuade them to let them partly reopen sooner. Uroš Korenčan, director of the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre and head of the college of Slovenian theatre directors, says they have proven they can guarantee a Covid-safe theatre experience as not a single infection was linked to a theatre in the autumn when theatres were briefly allowed to operate.

Slovenia lose second World Cup qualifier

SOCHI, Russia - The Slovenian national football team lost a qualifier for the 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup against Russia 1:2. The match was held in front of an audience of over 13,000 people, cheering as Artem Dzyuba scored the first goal for Russia 20 minutes into the first half. 15 minutes later Dzyuba scored a second goal and a minute later Josip Iličić scored for Slovenia. This was Slovenia's second qualifier, coming three days after the team defeated Croatia 1:0 in Ljubljana. On Tuesday the national team will face Cyprus.

World cup ski flying team event cancelled due to wind

PLANICA - The FIS world cup ski flying team competition in Planica was cancelled due to strong winds. The competition had already started when the wind picked up. The event was suspended for half an hour and then cancelled altogether. The competition will be staged on Sunday. Team Slovenia was in the lead ahead of Austria and Poland, when the competition was suspended.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

27 Mar 2021, 13:00 PM

Last Week in Slovenia: 19-25 March, 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, 19 March
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor, Prime Minister Janez Janša and speakers of both houses of parliament, Igor Zorčič and Alojz Kovšca, got vaccinated with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab to boost the public's confidence in the vaccine following a brief suspension of its use in Slovenia.
        LJUBLJANA - The motion to oust Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj, brought by four centre-left opposition parties, was defeated by 44 votes to 38, following a 17-hour debate that focused on the minister's handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in care homes.
        LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša met representatives of the Islamic Community to discuss interreligious and intercultural dialogue "as a pillar of trust-based relations among members of different religions and cultures" and the community's activity during the epidemic.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium/THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs listed a comprehensive EU migration policy, stronger Schengen zone, high degree of security in the bloc, and Western Balkans as the top priorities of Slovenia's presidency of the EU after two days of meetings with senior Belgian, Dutch and EU officials in preparations for the presidency.
        LJUBLJANA - The government included military projects worth 170 million into the development plan, including modernisation of the military communication and information system, overhaul of the Ljubljana barracks, purchase of a tactical-transport aircraft and upgrade of the Bell helicopter fleet.
        LJUBLJANA - Bernardin Akitoby, chief of the IMF mission for Slovenia, said the institution's forecast for Slovenia's economic growth for 2021 was being downgraded from 5.2% to 3.7%, in 2022 the economy is to grow by 4.5% to return to the pre-pandemic growth level.
        LJUBLJANA - Energy company Petrol reported a 30% decline in sales revenue and net profit for 2020, at EUR 3 billion and EUR 72.3 million, respectively, a deterioration blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.
        BERLIN, Germany - Slovenian composer Petra Strahovnik, a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, won the Art Prize for music from the Academy of Arts in Berlin. In her work, Strahovnik discusses themes from social margins, such as autism, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and ADHD.

SATURDAY, 20 March
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor spoke over the phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to mark ten years since the countries signed a strategic partnership agreement that they said had accelerated economic cooperation and deepened political dialogue. They also discussed EU-Turkey relations with Pahor urging "dialogue and a constructive resolution of issues in the East Mediterranean".
MARIBOR - Five and a half months after resigning as the leader of the Pensioners' Party amidst an ethics scandal, Aleksandra Pivec, a former agriculture minister, founded a new party, Our Land. The inaugural congress heard the party would pursue a policy of "forging ties, dialogue, cooperation and higher level of political culture".

SUNDAY, 21 March
NIZHNY TAGIL, Russia - Nika Križnar won silver in the women's Ski Jumping World Cup event to reclaim the yellow bib of the overall leader.
LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland - Meta Hrovat placed third in the women's giant slalom at the World Cup finale in her second podium of the season to end 9th in the overall giant slalom standings and 25th in the overall standings as Slovenia's best female skier this season.

MONDAY, 22 March
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia and five other EU member states presented at a session of the EU foreign ministers a non-paper on Bosnia-Herzegovina urging the EU to retain a focus on the country.
        LJUBLJANA - Appearing in questions time in parliament, Prime Minister Janez Janša argued it would make little sense for Slovenia to opt to register the Russian Sputnik V vaccine past the European Medicines Agency because the local regulator's procedure would take longer than EMA's. He also noted that the Russian vaccine was in short supply.
        LJUBLJANA - Commenting on the stalled appointment of delegated EU prosecutors, Prime Minister Janez Janša told MPs the government was considering changing the appointment procedure because it relegated the government to the role of a "mail carrier".
        LJUBLJANA - Hospitality establishments in the Primorsko-Notranjska were allowed to serve customers outdoors after the region joined Posavje and South-East Slovenia in yellow tier of coronavirus restrictions.
        LJUBLJANA - World Water Day was headlined by calls by experts and officials against rash solutions that could jeopardise the constitutional right to clean drinking water, in the light of amendments to the waters act that would loosen the rules for water protection areas. An amendment allowing construction of manufacturing facilities which use hazardous materials in water protected areas was later withdrawn, but not the one allowing construction of public infrastructure in coastal areas.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek told an informal session of EU ministers for competitiveness Slovenia was in favour of the concept of strategic autonomy in the EU as an opportunity to reduce the bloc's reliance on third-country suppliers, but it must be balanced against the need for an open economy and compliance with the rules of free trade.
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor met representatives of the Slovenian minority in Italy to discuss the progress in the restitution of National Hall in Trieste to the minority and the minority's efforts for political representation at the national level.

TUESDAY, 23 March
        LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed a declaration on Slovenia's activities in EU institutions in 2021-2024. The main topics are improving the resilience of the EU to crises, green transition and the rule of law, which match the priorities of Slovenia's upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU. The opposition criticised the document for being too generalised.
        LJUBLJANA - Meeting the ambassadors of EU countries, President Borut Pahor said that the EU perspective had been the engine of Slovenia's efforts for democratisation and independence and was thus woven into the country's history. Today, the EU should be more united, efficient and closer to people, he said.
        LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously passed changes to the pension legislation allowing for faster increase in pensions. The pension rate for persons with 40 years of pensionable service will be increased to 63.5% of the long-term average wage for both men and women.
        LONDON, UK - Ascent Resources announced it would initiate arbitration proceedings against Slovenia in a dispute over permits for the extraction of gas by means of hydraulic fracturing in Petišovci, after the state had failed to put forward a damages proposal. The company estimates the damage to be in excess of EUR 100 million.
        LJUBLJANA - Senior officials marked the 30th anniversary of Premik'91, a major military exercise that displayed a high level of organisation of the Slovenian Territorial Defence ahead of the declaration of independence. President Borut Pahor said the exercise had marked the true transformation of the Territorial Defence into the SAF, which had defended Slovenia's independence.

WEDNESDAY, 24 March
        LJUBLJANA - The government shortened the curfew from between 9pm and 6am to between 10pm and 5pm, and imposed a ban on movement into and out of Obalno-Kraška, Goriška and Koroška regions, which have the highest coronavirus infection rates. The government also decided that only negative PCR test result will be accepted to avoid quarantine on entering Slovenia, save for exceptions. Further restrictions are to be imposed following a cross-party meeting hosted by President Borut Pahor. This was after Slovenia entered a third wave of coronavirus with infections rising fast, with the 7-day new case count average rising to 882 and hospitalisations topping 500.
        LJUBLJANA - The government amended once again the national vaccination strategy, moving higher up on the list the age group of 60 and older, as well as the national Olympic team bound for Tokyo in the summer. The national coordinator of vaccination logistics, Jelko Kacin, said it was realistic to expect that 70% of Slovenia's population, or all adult residents, would be vaccinated by summer.
        LJUBLJANA/BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Foreign Ministry summoned Chinese Ambassador Wang Shunqing in response to sanctions imposed by China in retaliation for the EU's sanctions for its treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The ministry described China's measures as unacceptable and expressed concern about human rights violations in Xinjiang and about the legislative changes affecting Hong Kong's autonomy. In Brussels, Foreign Minister Anže Logar said China's actions contradicted the EU's fundamental values, and would not contribute to an EU-China partnership to boost investment cooperation.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Addressing reporters after a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Anže Logar said Slovenia supported NATO's ambitious vision until 2030 as proposed by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. As for the proposed strengthening of the common-funded budget, Logar said Slovenia shared the view of some other allies that detailed data should be obtained first.
        LJUBLJANA - The government extended until the end of June several measures to mitigate impact of Covid-19 on the population and businesses, including the universal basic income and partial reimbursement of a lost income for the self-employed during quarantine or inability to work due to force majeure or child care.
        LJUBLJANA - The Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD) upgraded its economic growth forecast for the country for this year to 4.6% from 4.3% in winter, to be followed by a 4.4% growth in 2022 and 3.3% in 2023.
        LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed an initiative for Slovenia to nominate beekeeping for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
        LJUBLJANA - The national football team defeated Croatia 1:0 in a spectator-less opening qualifier for the 2022 World Cup in what was Slovenia's first ever win against the neighbouring country's side. Meanwhile, the under-21 team lost to Spain 0:3 at the outset of the he UEFA European Under-21 Championship co-hosted by Slovenia.

THURSDAY, 25 March
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Janez Janša and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed preparations for Slovenia's upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU, both labelling the discussion as good and constructive.
        LJUBLJANA - Seven EU leaders, including Prime Minister Janez Janša, addressed a letter to the European Commission, voicing their concern over what they see as little room for member states' individual policy making, including in nuclear energy development, left by the bloc's efforts to reach climate targets.
        LJUBLJANA - The motion of no confidence in Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti, brought by four centre-left opposition parties fell three votes short of the required outright majority to pass. The debate, stretched to two days, focused on his response to the Covid crisis in culture and his attitude to the self-employed in the sector and to public media.
        LJUBLJANA - National Assembly Speaker Igor Zorčič and head of the deputy group of the Modern Centre Party (SMC) Janja Sluga gave a miss to a session of the party council in a clear indication of an imminent split. The reason was the appointment of the head of the Greens as an aide to Economy Minister and SMC leader Zdravko Počivalšek, which they see as his forging new alliances.
        LJUBLJANA - Former Health Minister Tomaž Gantar quit the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) after the plan to consolidate the party failed. Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek is no longer party member for failing to resign as minister after DeSUS quit the coalition.
        LJUBLJANA - Head of the Slovenian Hoteliers' Association, Gregor Jamnik, described the situation in the industry as disastrous, warning that the bulk of businesses were not generating any revenue and would depend on state aid for a while longer as the industry would not fully recover in a decade.
        NOVO MESTO - The Renault-owned car assembly plant Revoz suspended production of all of its models for two days due to shortages in electronic parts or chips, a global problem due to an increase in the use of electronic devices during the Covid-19 pandemic.
        PLANICA - Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi won the first event of the Ski Jumping World Cup finals in Planica, ahead of Germany's Markus Eisenbichler and Karl Geiger. The best local was Bor Pavlovčič in fifth.

27 Mar 2021, 11:26 AM

What Mladina & Demokracija Are Saying This Week: Govt Repression vs Reform Judiciary, Protect Janša

The covers and editorials from leading weeklies of the Left and Right for the work-week ending Friday, 26 March 2021. All our stories about coronavirus and Slovenia are here

Mladina: Govt increasingly relying on repressive apparatus

STA, 26 March 2021 - Mladina says in its latest commentary that, as ever more people are losing trust in the government, the latter is increasingly relying on the repressive apparatus in exercising its power, adding that, in terms of repressiveness, Janez Janša has exceeded "his role model from Budapest" Viktor Orban.

"Life in Slovenia may become dangerous for many people in the coming months. And we are serious about the word 'dangerous'", the left-leaning weekly says in the commentary headlined Dangerous Times.

On behalf of the Democrats (SDS), Interior Minister Aleš Hojs continues to install political staff in all senior positions in the police, with one of the purposes being to intimidate police officers into shelving certain cases.

"The second reason is worse. It is a clear intention to use the police for political purposes," Mladina says, noting that the government adopted a decision last week that the police investigate Slovenian Press Agency (STA) director Bojan Veselinovič.

It has meanwhile been reported this week that criminal investigation has also been launched against Court of Audit president Tomaž Vesel, and the goal is the same - to make him nervous, to make him stop auditing their work, to step down, or at least withdraw from public.

"Against the disobedient and those who do not agree with it or are not willing to be subjugated to it, the government is using the repressive apparatus, i.e. the police," the weekly says, adding that this is not surprising at all.

Slovenia has arrived to a point where comparisons with Hungary are no longer appropriate, as "Janša has surpassed his role model from Budapest. There are realistic reasons for this: if Orban is convincing for the majority of Hungarians, for Slovenians Janša is not."

Actually, in selecting his methods, Janša is becoming increasingly similar to Vladimir Putin, Mladina says, concluding: "It is unbelievable what is happening in Slovenia. Reality has become worse than a nightmare."

Demokracija: Judiciary should be overhauled

STA, 25 March 2021 - You don't exactly have to be Einstein to see through the deep state's plan to undermine Janez Janša as legitimately and legally elected PM and harm him with a show trial when Slovenia presides the EU in the second half of 2021 and affect the outcome of the 2022 super-election year, Demokracija says in its editorial on Thursday.

The weekly affiliated with the ruling SDS comments on what is known as the Trenta case, which revolves around a piece of land in the Trenta Valley Janša bought in 1992 and sold in 2005 for nearly nine times the price he paid, and for which an indictment against him was filed last year over abuse of office.

The magazine recalls the Patria case, "a witch hunt which the deep state dragged over a period of three elections and thus indirectly influenced the election result, while nobody was held responsible for their base doings and Janša's unfair judgement, for which he spent 176 days in jail".

It says it the Patria case was an obvious fabrication and a political trial directed against SDS leader Janša, while those who are still able to think critically recognise the same pattern in the Trenta case, which Demokracija says could amount to another election fraud.

"If the indictment in the Patria case was absurd, the one in the Trenta case is also bizarre," the editorial runs, adding that in a free and democratic world buying a property and later selling it at a profit would be a normal transaction worthy of no attention, let alone of the prosecution getting interested in it.

"But if you are Janez Janša, enemy No.1 of the deep state, the case is dragging on only to end with an indictment - because you sold the property at a higher price than you bought it (true crime, right?) and you were prime minister when selling it. So you have automatically abused office."

Demokracija says that "suitable" judges have been engaged in Trenta proceedings to make sure that the unjustified criminal procedure continues, adding that "the deep state has woven a tapestry of abuse of power and fraud while its monstrous octopus is after all who dare oppose it".

"This is no conspiracy theory as the media mainstream would like to picture it. It is heavily materialised organised crime, the implementation of ideas of Antonio Gramsci and Saul Alinsky how to come to power and rule past democratic procedures and institutions."

The two-tier justice system where everything is safety packed as "independent" must be reformed, because it could grind anyone. "Just think how the deep state sent Janša, the leader of the largest political party and a public figure, to prison on the back of a judicial construct before your eyes."

All our posts in this series are here

27 Mar 2021, 10:16 AM

Parliament Passes Amended Act on Employment of Foreigners

STA, 26 March 2021 - The National Assembly passed on Friday amendments to the act on employment, self-employment and work of foreigners which transpose a major 2016 EU directive.

The directive sets down the conditions of entry and residence of third-country citizens for the purposes of research, studies, pupil exchange, remunerated and unremunerated training, voluntary service and au pairing.

Under the amendments, passed in a 47:12 vote, a new combined residency and work permit and a new temporary residence permit will be available.

There are also new rules for temporary residence for foreign researchers wishing to work in Slovenia, and for students who have completed studies here.

A second set of amendments attempts to curb abuse, for example the practice where employers lay off workers after nine months and then re-hire them three months later.

"This kind of optimisation by employers is not justified," Economy Ministry State Secretary Mateja Ribič told MPs.

The majority of MPs endorsed the legislation as making Slovenia a more attractive destination for researchers and their family members as well as for students.

The only dissenting voices came from the Left and the National Party (SNS), the former opining that the government was adopting laws making it more difficult for foreigners to settle here, and the latter opposing on the grounds that arrivals of foreigners should be curtailed.

27 Mar 2021, 04:33 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Saturday, 27 March 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:

New deputy group established by four former SMC, DeSUS deputies

LJUBLJANA - Four MPs, including Speaker Igor Zorčič, formed a new deputy faction in parliament Friday after three of them parted ways with the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) and one left the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) deputy group. Zorčič has been joined by Janja Sluga and Branislav Rajić in leaving the SMC, whereas Jurij Lep has left DeSUS, both moves being expected considering the latest developments at the National Assembly. Zorčič indicated in a statement for the press that he would not step down as speaker. The group is led by Sluga, who was today replaced as the chair of the SMC deputy group.

Coronavirus count tops 1,000 for third straight day

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded over 1,000 new coronavirus cases for the third day running. With 1,032 people testing positive on Thursday, the rolling 7-day average rose to 895, government data showed. Another ten patients with Covid-19 died. Marking a rise of almost 10% from the same day a week ago, the latest cases were confirmed from 6,637 PCR tests, for a positivity rate of 15.5%. In addition 27,189 rapid antigen tests were performed. Hospitalisations dropped by one to 500, whereas the number of patients in intensive care rose by two to 108.

Media freedom broached in von der Leyen-Janša virtual meeting

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The issue of media freedom was brought up in Thursday's virtual meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Janez Janša, with von der Leyen calling on Janša to be in close contact with Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova, who is responsible for those issues, said Eric Mamer, the Commission's chief spokesperson. "You know the importance that we give to media freedom," he added.

Slovenian, Romanian FMs confirm good relations

LJUBLJANA - A meeting between Slovenian and Romanian FMs Anže Logar and Bogdan Lucian Aurescu confirmed good bilateral relations, with the ministers agreeing that there was still much room for improvement. The meeting also focused on Slovenia's upcoming EU presidency, with Logar presenting its priorities, placed special attention on crisis management in healthcare and cyber security. Aurescu promised the support of his country, also highlighting the countries' joint interest for an EU future for the Western Balkans. This is the only true chance at peace and stability in the region, he added.

Parliament tightens intl protection legislation

LJUBLJANA - MPs passed the government-sponsored changes to the international protection act to prevent asylum law abuse and enable international protection only to those who really need it. The bill envisages faster asylum procedures, sanctions for obstructing them and violations of or failure to comply with relevant rules, including public order rules. Those with international protection would also be encouraged to integrate through education, while movement restrictions would be made more effective. The changes also shorten the period for an appeal to be filed from eight to three days.

Janša's appearance at EU Parliament subcommittee overshadowed by row

BRUSSELS, Belgium - PM Janez Janša's appearance in front of the European Parliament's democracy monitoring group was overshadowed by a row with chair Sophie in 't Veld over a video alleging journalists are biased. After In 't Veld refused to play the video during the time allotted for his statement, Janša disconnected from the videoconference. Appearing in front of a background with a number of images depicting expressions of criticism of the government and himself, Janša also said that the debate was staged for the purpose of internal political affairs. This was followed by an exchange with In 't Veld, who did not allow the video to be shown. Janša accused her of refusing to play the video because of its content.

Changes allowing military investments to proceed passed

LJUBLJANA - Parliament passed changes to the budget implementation act under which funding restrictions would not apply to military investments. Currently, the budget implementation act states that defence investments are exempt from restrictions based on a special law, which, however, was stayed by the Constitutional Court. The centre-left opposition believe this is an attempt by the government to bypass the court. The Left said that that, as the legal basis for such purchases has been stayed, it will start collecting signatures for a referendum on the legislation on EUR 780 million defence investments.

Adjusted restrictions enter into force

LJUBLJANA - The country-wide curfew is imposed from 10pm to 5am from today after the government decided to shorten it in light of the coming Daylight Saving Time change. Entering into force are also inter-regional travel restrictions in red-coded regions. A negative rapid test result is no longer valid to enter Slovenia, only a negative PCR test result will suffice to avoid quarantine. Members of the Slovenian ethnic minority in Croatia meanwhile complained they can no longer enter Slovenia without a negative PCR test from today, which means hassle and expenses in particular for regulars.

MPs pass changes to state prosecution act

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed vote amendments to the state prosecution act setting the conditions for hiring European delegated prosecutors and the required level of their proficiency in English. The changes aim to create the conditions for hiring and social security of European and European delegated prosecutors who will be monitoring the spending of EU funds in Slovenia as part of the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

Amended act on employment of foreigners passed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed amendments to the act on employment, self-employment and work of foreigners which transpose a major 2016 EU directive. The directive sets down the conditions of entry and residence of third-country citizens for the purposes of research, studies, pupil exchange, remunerated and unremunerated training, voluntary service and au pairing. A new combined residency and work permit and a new temporary residence permit will be available under the changes.

NKBM net profit exceeds EUR 210 million

MARIBOR - NKBM, Slovenia's second largest bank, posted a group net profit of EUR 210.8 million for 2020. "Despite demanding circumstances, the group ended the year successfully," the bank said. The figures are not comparable year-on-year since NKBM last year completed the takeover of Abanka, a transaction that NKBM says "affirmed NKBM's position as the most profitable bank in the country". The group's total assets stood at EUR 9.177 billion at the end of last year, and post-tax return on equity exceeded 21%.

Court of Audit head calls for protection of independent institutions

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia must protect independent institutions which are pillars of democracy, Court of Audit President Tomaž Vesel told the latest edition of the weekly Mladina. He said the court had been receiving initiatives to audit political parties, which will happen if risks are identified. He also dismissed allegations about the recently presented audit of the PPE procurement in the first Covid-19 wave being politically motivated.

Cleanshelf CEO says partnership with LeanIX will allow growth

LJUBLJANA - The recent acquisition by German software company LeanIX will allow the US-Slovenian Cleanshelf, a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) management provider, access to 400 top clients and provide new growth opportunities, the CEO and founder of Cleanshelf Dušan Omerčević told the STA. The acquisition will also allow LeanIX to become the first to offer comprehensive SaaS solutions in the industry.

Slovenia to get children's house

LJUBLJANA - MPs unanimously passed a bill on the protection of children in criminal procedures, setting up the country's first Barnahus for children. According to Justice Minister Lilijana Kozlovič, the house will provide full treatment to children involved in criminal procedures as victims, witnesses or perpetrators. The bill introduces the internationally established Barnahus model that was first set up in Iceland and has been recognised as good practice by the Council of Europe. According to the government, this will mitigate the child's struggles or victimisation in relevant procedures.

Koroška upset for being excluded from Just Transition Fund

ČRNA NA KOROŠKEM - Koroška mayors expressed frustration after they have learned that the northern region has not been included among the beneficiaries of the Just Transition Fund despite a study showing the region, home to an abandoned lead and zinc mine, to be eligible. Explaining the decision, the the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy said the eligibility had been determined in 2019 when the two coal mining regions had been recognised as eligible based on an initiative from the Infrastructure Ministry.

City Museum paying tribute to independence era

LJUBLJANA - The City Museum in Ljubljana will mark the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence with an exhibition of events following the declaration of independence in 1991. On display until 27 June will be photographs, newspaper sections and footages of the events that happened in the summer of 1991. According to the author of the exhibition, Blaž Vurnik, the images represent "our collective memory of the days of the war when the strength and determination of the people of Slovenia was put to the test".

Ski jumper Križnar finishes on podium but loses overall lead

CHAYKOVSKY, Russia - Slovenian ski jumper Nika Križnar finished third in the penultimate event of the women's World Cup event, but this was not enough for her to retain the overall lead. Križnar is now trailing Sara Takanashi of Japan. The 21-year-old Slovenian scored 223.4 points to finish behind the winner, Marita Kramer of Austria (258.1) and the second-placed Takanashi (234.8). Ahead of the last event of the season, also be held at the Snezhinka hill in Chaykovsky on Sunday, the Japanese is 15 points ahead of Križnar in the overall standings.

Germany's Geiger wins second individual event at Planica

PLANICA - Karl Geiger of Germany is the winner of the second individual event of the Ski Jumping World Cup finale at Slovenia's Planica after only one series was held due to strong wind. The host nation saw a podium finish as Bor Pavlovčič was third. Geiger, who won the title of world ski flying champion at the same venue back in December, scored 237.3 points, taking the win ahead of Ryoyu Kobayashi (227.7), the winner of yesterday's first individual event.

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26 Mar 2021, 19:17 PM

Janša's Appearance at EU Subcommittee Ends in Video Row

STA, 26 March 2021 - Prime Minister Janez Janša's appearance in front of the European Parliament's democracy monitoring group was overshadowed by a row with chair Sophie in 't Veld over a video alleging journalists are biased. After In 't Veld refused to play the video during the time allotted for his statement, Janša disconnected from the videoconference.

This was the second debate of this parliamentary sub-committee about the freedom of media in Slovenia. While being invited, Janša and Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti did not take part in the first debate, and were both scheduled to appear today.

Appearing in front of a background with a number of images depicting expressions of criticism of the government and himself, Janša said that the debate was staged for the purpose of internal political affairs because it was likely of no interest to anybody outside the country.

He said that journalists in Slovenia had been beaten to death and fired while on their deathbeds, and proposed that the group watch a video about attacks on media and journalists.

This was followed by a long exchange with In 't Veld, who did not allow the video to be shown instead of Janša delivering his statement. She said the video would be forwarded to all group members to view. Janša, on the other hand, accused her of refusing to play the video because of its content.

Simoniti was scheduled to talk after Janša, but appeared to be offline and the group started the discussion. Following a question from German MEP Katarina Barley about alleged censorship at the newspaper Delo involving an opinion piece critical of the government, Janša's connection was also lost.

Janša then tweeted a link to the video and accused In 't Veld of censorship. Several sub-committee members expressed support for her decision during the debate, expressing the position that the purpose of the session was to interact with speakers and not watch videos.

Of course any material may be submitted for consideration and #DRFMG will study it at its earliest convenience. But the European Parliament is not obliged to do streaming on demand.
— Sophie in 't Veld (@SophieintVeld) March 26, 2021

The video, as shared by Janša on Twitter, lists a series of incidents targeting journalists in Slovenia. It opens and closes with the question of who really threatens democracy and the media in Slovenia.

It wonders whether journalists were truly unbiased, providing examples of journalists-come-politicians and journalists becoming spokespersons for political parties or the government. It also lists political officials who worked in the media.

It says that a big portion of Slovenian politicians "still equate journalism with propaganda. Thus they reward this activist journalism with seats in the national or European parliament," while the rare critical media are being suppressed and persecuted.

It also accuses "the Slovenian parties on the transitional left" of blaming others and exporting fabricated accusations to the EU and of "speaking of Orbanisation".

MEP Tanja Fajon, the president of the opposition Social Democrats (SD), said on Twitter that what had happened was a "disgrace for Slovenia" and the SD labelled Janša's appearance a "farce and unbecoming of a prime minister".

On the other hand, MEP Milan Zver of Janša's Democratic Party (SDS) said on Twitter that Sophie in 't Veld "censored the Slovenian prime minister" and that such a display of disrespect had never happened in the European Parliament before.

The SDS also tweeted that the video clip was censored.

MEP Ljudmila Novak of the coalition New Slovenia retweeted her recent statement in which she says that her greatest concern was Slovenia finding itself in the group of countries reproached for violating democracy, human rights and freedom of the press.

Klemen Grošelj and Irena Joveva (Renew/LMŠ) said ahead of the debate that they were concerned about what was going on in Slovenia and that the European Commission should apply all available tools to protect media freedom in the country.

26 Mar 2021, 15:06 PM

Survey: Slovenians Less Worried About Covid, More About Future & Govt

STA, 25 March 2021 - The share of Slovenian residents concerned for their life or lives of their loved ones in March is lowest since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic a year ago, show results of a recent Mediana survey. Meanwhile, trust in government decisions and the ratings of the vaccine drive are declining.

The share of those who do not feel any concerns for their lives or lives of their families and friends is the largest since July 2020. On the other hand, the share of those who feel such concerns is the lowest since the start of such measurements in March 2020, standing at 40%.

Some 53% think that Covid measures are excessive given the situation and encroach on their personal freedom. Since November 2020 (32%), the share of residents who see the measures as appropriate despite encroaching on personal freedom has been declining, currently it is at 23%.

Some 22% believe that the measures are balanced in tackling health and economic issues. 18% consider them to be in favour of the economy at the expense of public health, whereas as much as 43% said the situation was the other way around.

Optimism expressed in February slightly decreased in the wake of the beginning of the third Covid-19 wave. Currently, 9% think that life will get better after the epidemic. On the other hand, 64% believe that life will likely take a turn for the worse after the epidemic.

About 44% think that other countries have been better at fighting Covid-19 than Slovenia. 18% trust the government to be ready for future global challenges.

The share of those who trust the government to make the right decisions for the nation has been dwindling since May 2020 and reached the lowest point in the most recent poll (17%).

Moreover, the numbers of those who are satisfied with the vaccine drive or government communication with the public dropped in March by 7% compared to the previous month. The most significant decrease was recorded in the category where respondents rated the government's efforts to procure Covid-19 vaccines - the share dropped from 21% in February to 12% in March.

The survey was conducted by the Mediana institute between 23 and 24 March among 504 respondents.

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