STA, 21 June 2020 - Taking stock of its first 100 days in office, the Janez Janša government is happy that the coronavirus epidemic was quickly contained, including with key and efficient measures it took just days after assuming office on 13 March, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said in a written statement.

Despite a recent increase in the number of new coronavirus cases, the situation is calming down in Slovenia, which the government attributes to the tremendous efforts of healthcare staff, police officers, members of civil protection having in the past months and to all those who have consistently complied with the protective measures.

"Nobody would like to see those days repeat, hence a recent call by Prime Minister Janez Janša to consistently respect the measures which are still in place," said UKOM.

To mitigate the consequences of the epidemic, the government has adopted three stimulus packages, all aiming to cushion social distress of residents and help the economy survive the lockdown shock.

UKOM noted that with the first two packages, the government has preserved 260,000 jobs, while direct financial assistance has been provided to as many as 1.3 million people, or 65% of the population, through a temporary measure of basic monthly income, a one-off solidarity bonus and a number of other measures.

Although the measures are yet to produce their results in full, economic forecasts are relatively positive, showing the Slovenian economy will recover from the severe shock already next year and post significant growth in 2022.

Seeing investment as key to restarting the economy post-Covid, the government has endorsed a list of 187 key projects to launch a new economic cycle.

UKOM stressed that in setting the list of major investments, the government was guided, just like when it opted for holiday vouchers, by their multiplicative effects.

Looking further ahead, the government has two major challenges - keeping the epidemic in check and implementing the commitments from the coalition agreement, while preparations for Slovenia's presidency of the EU in the second half of 2021 are also under way.

Improving Europe's resilience to crises and forming action plans for emergencies, such as pandemics, global cyberattacks and migration, are also among its priorities.

In foreign policy, the priority is an ambitious policy on Eastern and Southern Partnerships, and putting EU prospects for the Western Balkans back on the agenda.

UKOM also said the government will send a supplemented budget to parliament by 1 September, also taking into account coronavirus-related expenditure and the latest economic outlook by its macroeconomic forecaster IMAD.

Demographic challenges and long-term care will also be in the focus in the coming months alongside efforts to eliminate the shortcomings in healthcare infrastructure.

To be ready for a potential new migration wave, enhanced and efficient protection of the state border will be needed.

The government will also intensify drawing of EU funds and actively take part in EU talks on the bloc's new multi-annual budget for 2021-2027.

More focus will also be given to food self-sufficiency, while the elderly and some other groups will be eligible for free inter-city transport as of 1 July, in what the government sees as an important step towards a more friendly system of public transport.

Efforts to clean degraded areas such as the Mežiška Valley and the Celje area, will continue together with investments into flood safety, according to UKOM.

The government also plans to establish a demographic fund and a government office for demographic affairs, as well as take measures related to the pension system.

The army and the police are another two areas were the government intends to make some improvements.

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:

Six new coronavirus infections confirmed in Slovenia on Friday

LJUBLJANA - Six coronavirus tests came back positive in Slovenia on Friday after swabs were taken to 1,147 people, the government said on Twitter. Seven Covid-19 patients were in hospitals yesterday, one in intensive care. Two were released from hospital. No death was recorded.

27 protesters fined for crossing into fenced off Republic Square

LJUBLJANA - Police fined 27 attendants of Friday's protests who entered the Republic Square outside the Parliament House which had been completely fenced off. Another 30 people were ID-ed by police, which estimated the number of protesters in Ljubljana at around 7,000. One of the persons who was physically removed from the square started to feel ill, so police called paramedics. Other than that the rally was carried out peacefully.

Police commissioner sees no dilemma about having army help police

LJUBLJANA - Police Commissioner Anton Travner sees no dilemma about having the army help police patrol the border or provide for safety in the country. "The army is people-friendly no matter what anyone may think. We don't have enough police officers to be able to provide for the safety of Slovenian citizens when security situations multiply," he said, adding that they were multiplying "all the time".

SocDems gearing up for congress in autumn

LJUBLJANA - Senior officials of the Social Democrats (SD) held a meeting to discuss the party's priorities and plans for the remainder of 2020 with the acting head Tanja Fajon saying that a party congress would be held at the end of September or October. Having taken over as the party interim head after the previous head, Dejan Židan, stepped down at the end of last month, she said she would be willing to seek full term. Fajon was also critical of the government after its first 100 days in office, calling it a period of "more than 100 mistakes".

Kučan says elements of second republic can already be seen

LJUBLJANA - Former President Milan Kučan said in an interview with Saturday's supplement of the newspaper Delo that a part of Slovenian politicians thought that Slovenia should be turned into a second republic. The former president told Sobotna Priloga that it was difficult to reach a consensus on this if a "concealed political platform of a part of the politicians is that Slovenia should be turned into a second republic". Some elements of the second republic can already be seen, he warned.

Court reduces Agrokor fine to EUR 1m

LJUBLJANA - After the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency imposed a EUR 53.9 million fine on Croatia's Agrokor last October for failing to notify it of the takeover of the water bottling company Costella, the Ljubljana Local Court decided Agrokor should pay EUR 1 million in fine, the newspaper Dnevnik reported. Agrokor confirmed this, announcing it would challenge the decision of the court as well as the decision of the Competition Protection Agency on the seizure Agrokor's shares of retailer Mercator.

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

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FRIDAY, 12 June
        LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek survived a no-confidence motion the opposition had mounted against him over the government's poor handling of the procurement of vital equipment during the Covid-19 epidemic. 51 MPs voted against and 37 for his dismissal.
        LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša indicated in a tweet that the May incident on the border with Italy when two soldiers stopped at gunpoint a civilian - a member of the Slovenian minority from Italy, had been orchestrated by representatives of "the deep state" in the prosecution, police and mainstream media, to discredit the army. The prosecution and the police denied any involvement, with the police adding that the information gathered so far did not confirm the "orchestration" allegation.
        LJUBLJANA - Several media outlets published a draft memorandum of understanding Slovenia would sign with the US on the security of 5G networks which highlights the importance of security standards. The document is seen as potentially limiting cooperation with Huawei.
        NEW YORK, US - Ratings agency Standard & Poor's affirmed Slovenia's AA- rating, arguing the Slovenian economy, coupled with the government's policy response, puts Slovenia in a good position to weather the Covid-19 crisis.
        LJUBLJANA - Anton Travner, who has served as acting police commissioner since the new government took over in mid-March, was appointed for a full five-year term.
        LJUBLJANA - Anti-government protesters, who have been voicing opposition to the government on Fridays for the past two months, left their bicycles and protested on foot. Seven of an estimated 5,000 protesters were arrested and fined for violations of public law and order after attempting to tear down a fence that established a security perimeter around Parliament House and after some jumped the fence.
        LJUBLJANA - The college of deputy group leaders adopted a long-overdue code of ethics for MPs in a bid to strengthen the National Assembly's reputation, integrity and public trust. The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption hailed it as a step in the right direction.
        LJUBLJANA - The Environment Agency issued a permit for hunters to cull 115 brown bears until September to manage the bear population.

SATURDAY, 13 June
        LJUBLJANA - Restrictions on international public road and railway transport, imposed on 16 March due to the coronavirus epidemic, were lifted.
        LJUBELJ - President Borut Pahor indicated he is considering a symbolic gesture of reconciliation with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella when they attend a ceremony on 13 July marking the centenary of the arson of the Slovenian National Hall in Trieste by Fascists. They might visit two sites in Basovizza near Trieste that have strong symbolic importance for Italy and the Slovenian community there.

MONDAY, 15 June
        LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša indicated in a TV interview that an European Commission lawsuit against Slovenia over European Central Bank (ECB) documents was hampering an ongoing police investigation in Slovenia, hence his recent query with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about whether the Commission might drop the lawsuit.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia opened its border with Italy as the country was put on a list of countries whose citizens are free to cross into Slovenia without having to quarantine, as the last neighbouring country to make the list.
        LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša indicated the government was willing to amend legislation to impose sanctions against militia groups such as the Štajerska Guard, but he told parliament in questions time that the existing legislation already allowed that, it was just not applied consistently.
        LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar said in parliament that Slovenia is calling on Israel to "refrain from any unilateral decisions that would lead to the annexing of any of the occupied Palestinian territories and would as such run contrary to international law".
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's Competition Protection Agency confirmed it had extended the temporary seizure of Mercator shares from the retailer's owner, Croatian group Agrokor, for six months. Agrokor has still not paid a EUR 53.9 million fine issued for its failure to notify the agency of the 2016 takeover of company Costella.
        VELENJE - Home appliances maker Hisense Gorenje decided to produce TV sets at the existing production facilities, having previously planned to build a new plant at its Velenje location. TV production is scheduled to start in early 2021.
        LJUBLJANA - An Italian military vehicle drove into Slovenian territory in the border town of Šempeter pri Gorici, but soon turned around and returned to Italy. The police said it was investigating the event and would notify the Foreign Ministry of its findings.

TUESDAY, 16 June
        LJUBLJANA - Master chef Ana Roš of Hiša Franko was awarded two Michelin stars, becoming the first chef in the region to win the accolade, in what is praised as a major achievements for Slovenian tourism. Another five restaurants received one star each, as restaurant guide Michelin launched its first guide to Slovenian restaurants.
        LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs urged a prompt reform of the common asylum system as he discussed Slovenia's expectations from the EU's new migration and asylum pact, which the European Commission is to unveil at the end of July, with European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson in a video call. He reiterated Slovenia's position against migrant quotas.
        VIENNA, Austria - Foreign Minister Anže Logar was in Austria meeting his counterparts from Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia, who shared a view that the countries had cooperated very well during the coronavirus. Logar believes this has resulted in a new cooperation protocol among neighbours, which is an important European message.
        LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Slovenia rose two rungs in the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking to 35th among 63 countries, due to improvements in business and government efficiency, while sliding back in terms of economic performance over 2019.
        LJUBLJANA - In what is seen as a legal precedent, the Supreme Court said that provisions governing access to public information do not apply to judicial proceedings and case files. It said such access are governed by laws such as the criminal procedure act, the civil procedure act and the state prosecution service act. The Information Commissioner responded by stressing public oversight is crucial for the legal functioning of authorities, noting legislative changes may be needed.
        LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a bill amending the penal code by imposing harsher penalties for persons organising illegal crossings of the border and for those helping illegal migrants reside in Slovenia. It also passed the governments-sponsored changes to the law on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing that transpose EU law.
        LJUBLJANA - Over 3,280 people tried to enter Slovenia illegally in the first five months of the year, down more than 25% over the same period last year, with almost 2,000 expressing the intention to request asylum in Slovenia, police data showed.
        LJUBLJANA - Collective (Colectiv), a film by Romanian director Alexander Nanau, won the Amnesty International Slovenije award at the 22nd Documentary Film Festival. The documentary draws the viewer into the turmoil of fearless investigative journalism targeting systemic corruption in Romania.

WEDNESDAY, 17 June
        LJUBLJANA - The 15th Bled Strategic Forum, Slovenia's premier foreign policy conference, will be a one-day event this year owing to the coronavirus epidemic, it was announced. It will be held on 31 August under the title Challenges and Opportunities in the Post-COVID-19 World; Neighbours - Regions - Global World: Partners or Rivals?.
        LJUBLJANA - Bojana Beović, the head of the team advising the Health Ministry on coronavirus, urged reimposing stringent measures on the borders at once after an increase in new infections originating abroad, while PM Janez Janša warned new restrictions would be inevitable unless those in place were respected.
        LJUBLJANA - Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksander Geržina announced a shift to a more ambitious foreign policy as he said Minister Anže Logar will host a number of his counterparts for talks in Ljubljana in the coming weeks, at what was the first in a series of Geržina's regular monthly briefings.
        VRHNIKA - PM Janez Janša announced the government's effort to improve the status of soldiers and provide additional funds for military equipment. He said the Defence Ministry and the government were already working on solutions to improve the situation.
        LJUBLJANA - The Fiscal Council, a government advisory body, said Slovenia's fiscal policy in 2019 was expansive although it should have been restrictive, considering the state of the economic cycle, as it released its assessment of compliance of the general government sector budgets with fiscal rules.
        LJUBLJANA - US Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard told the STA in an interview that she had put economic development in the focus of her efforts, and would also like to encourage cooperation between Slovenian and US universities. While not commenting in detail on a potential agreement on 5G technology between the US and Slovenia, she said the memorandum of understanding mimics much of the EU toolbox which encourages EU member states to avoid unsafe 5G providers.
        RIJEKA, Croatia - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch visited the Slovenian minority in Croatia in what was her first day-long visit abroad. One of the topics discussed was how to engage young people in minority associations.
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor conferred state decorations on physicist and researcher Boštjan Žekš and architect Boris Podrecca, both of whom received the Golden Order of Merit, whereas Andrej Šter, the head of the Foreign Ministry's consular service, received the Order of Merit for his repatriation efforts during the epidemic.
        LJUBLJANA - The police are investigating eight persons suspected of threatening the safety of another person related to slogans carried at anti-government protests, notably Death to Janšism, Freedom to All. The police confirmed it was PM Janez Janša who reported the matter to the police on the basis of photos from the protests, which started during the epidemic. "Janšism" has come to imply policies advocated by Janša.

THURSDAY, 18 June
        LJUBLJANA - The government decided to impose stricter rules for arrivals from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo effective on 19 June. The decision came after Slovenia saw the eleven new cases last week, and fifteen from Monday to Wednesday, following almost a month with very few or no new daily cases. The death toll remains at 109 since the last death was recorded on 31 May.
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor warned MPs in a special address against any delays in securing Constitutional Court-ordered electoral reform, saying a situation could occur where it will not be possible to execute a legitimate election. "This would push our county into a constitutional crisis or even political chaos and must not happen," he said.
        LJUBLJANA - The government compiled a list of key investments that will be given priority treatment in administrative procedures so as to help kick-start the economy. The list currently features 187 investments worth EUR 7.7 billion and will be updated on an ongoing basis, Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak said.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia could achieve the NATO goal of spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2026 after having laid out plans to invest EUR 780 million in defence over the next six years, Defence Minister Matej Tonin said after a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers. The law securing the investment funds might be adopted by the government next week.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia presently has 680 medical ventilators, 439 of which are suitable for Covid-19 treatment, Health Minister Matjaž Gantar told the press as confusion about the ventilator numbers continued in recent weeks. This is by far above the number of intensive care beds as well as properly trained staff.
        STRASBOURG, France - Slovenia released 16% of its prisoner population during the coronavirus outbreak, one of the highest rates in Europe, a Council of Europe report showed.
        HOČE - The automotive multinational Magna decided against reopening its car paint shop near Maribor for now an instead announced it would reassign the bulk of what are around 200 workers at the new Slovenian location to its facility in Graz, Austria. Media reports suggest the plant will not reopen this year.
        LJUBLJANA - Mila Haugova, one of the most esteemed and prolific Slovak poets, was declared the winner of this year's Vilenica Prize for Central European literature. The award will be presented at the conclusion of the 35th Vilenica International Literary Festival in September.
        LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed legislation proclaiming 23 September Slovenian Sports Day. The new public holiday will not be a work-free day.

All our posts in this series are here

The covers and editorials from leading weeklies of the Left and Right for the work-week ending Friday, 19 June 2020.

Mladina:  SDS and systemic corruption

STA, 19 June 2020 - Those opposing the government of Janez Janša, the head of the Democrats (SDS), should bear in mind that it was money rather than politics that made the SDS want to come to power, so the opposition should pledge already now to check every deal the government made during the coronavirus epidemic, Mladina comments on Friday.

"We have known for years that the SDS is a business model rather than a political party. And when it came to power, the party immediately started doing business," the left-leaning weekly adds.

When the epidemic started simultaneously with the new government assuming office, the party channelled public money for personal protective equipment towards intermediaries to get millions in commission fees, while claiming that people are dying.

"And then we realized: yes, people are dying, but you turned it into a business, which is why bicycle protests appeared in ... Slovenian towns in the first place," editor Grega Repovž says in the commentary headlined Let's Go Back to the Beginnings.

During the worst of the crisis they changed legislation to carry out large investments which no longer require any oversight and which come with large commission fees. At the same time one was witnessing the disintegration of oversight institutions, including the police, so that evidence about the controversial deals could disappear.

Repovž suggests the SDS is doing it because it knows they have little time before the next election, at which "they will probably not get enough votes" to remain in power.

"They know exactly what they are doing. This is a very well organised clique with clear intentions - to appropriate means, financial flows, privatise businesses and redirect investments so that they control them in the long run.

"This is nothing new, we have seen it in practically all East European countries. From Ljubljana to Moscow this world is very similar. And it has a name: systemic corruption."

Mladina says that staying focussed on the fact that "it's all about money, not about politics" for the SDS should help those who oppose the government to be more united.

And already today opposition politicians should pledge to check every deal from the period when the entire immune system of the state was suspended in the name of the epidemic. For starters, one should calculate all commission fees which selected companies received in procuring protective equipment.

Reporter: No-confidence motions could further strengthen govt

STA, 15 June 2020 - The right-wing weekly Reporter notes in Monday's commentary that the scandal on the procurement of protective masks and ventilators, which failed to sweep away Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, did not cause any harm to the senior coalition Democrats (SDS). The government remains firmly in the saddle, perhaps even more firmly than it looks.

The government will also not be brought down by the upcoming attempts to oust Interior Minister Aleš Hojs over a Thompson concert or Defence Minister Matej Tonic over a military incident on the border with Italy, says editor-in-chief Silvester Šurla.

Ideological efforts of the opposition in both cases could actually have the opposite effect than desired - they could make the coalition stronger instead of weaker, Šurla says.

If no major scandals erupt in the next couple of years, and if no new face emerges on the left, Janša will stay PM also after the next election.

"Tanja Fajon leading the SD does not pose a risk, since she is too leftist a politician to pick any votes from the centre as Borut Pahor did in 2008. Marjan Šarec is also obviously not aiming for the centre, as the LMŠ is increasingly turning left and becoming a copy of the Left."

Only the SAB remains in the centre-left among opposition parties, but the possibility of Alenka Bratušek ever becoming prime minister again is almost non-existent, much like with Šarec.

According to Šurla, it is no secret that Šarec and Bratušek do not like each other, and that Bratušek does not like the Left, which is actually to be blamed for the collapse of Šarec's government.

By denying support for the Šarec cabinet, the coordinator of the Left, Luka Mesec, has shown that the Left is an "extremist, destructive party which cannot even stick with a left-leaning government if all its wishes are not fulfilled".

So the more voters of the Left will vote for the SD and LMŠ instead, the higher probability of a left-leaning government, Šurla says in the editorial entitled Wind in the Sails.

All our posts in this series are here

STA, 19 June 2020 - Anti-government protesters again took to the streets across Slovenia Friday evening. In Ljubljana, some of the protesters entered the square outside the Parliament House which had been completely fenced off, to read the Constitution. After refusing to move, they were physically removed by the riot police.

While the Republic Square served as the centre for rallies in the previous weeks, today it was completely fenced off by the police and most of the protesters gathered in Prešeren Square instead for the start of the rally at 7 pm, before eventually starting to move toward the Parliament House.

The several thousand people carried banners and whistles, as has become customary. Moreover, a number of protesters dressed black today, after Prime Minister Janez Janša referred to blackshirts in his comment of the protests.

Trg republike je javni prostor in ni last te vlade!

Toliko “robocopov” kot jih je bilo danes na ograjenem trgu, do sedaj se ni bilo ...

Ocitno je vlada upala, da pride do nasilja, da nas bodo lahko mlatili ...

Pa so se usteli! In potem so “robocopi” hodili sem ter tja pic.twitter.com/9MWArKzUuP

— Roni Kordiš (@had) June 19, 2020

Pritestniki so pravkar krenili na "pohod po okupirani Ljubljani". #zbalkonovnakolesa pic.twitter.com/9LRznNpt1m

— Gorazd Kosmač (@kosmacg) June 19, 2020

U Sloveniji građani osmi dan prosvjeduju protiv prevratničke Janšine vlade. Zbog 'Smrt Janšizmu' policija podnosi kaznenu prijavu. Ovako će izgledati Hrvatske pod HDZ-om i Škoronom ako im i 5.7. ne pokažemo srednji prst. pic.twitter.com/uRjo42a8bN

— Marko Jurčić (@markojurci) June 19, 2020

Glasno pa tolk, da sem koncertne čepke dala v ušesa. pic.twitter.com/IUkzaCaPbi

— A (@_aney) June 19, 2020

Among the few dozen who read the Constitution in Republic Square were several artists, including author and comedian Andrej Rozman Roza. After some refused to leave the square after being ordered to do so, they were carried off.

The complete closure of the square raised dust among protesters, with the Ljubljana Police Administration telling the STA that the step had been taken in order to protect the Parliament House, to uphold public peace and order, prevent criminal acts from taking place and ensure road safety, as well as to uphold the ban on gathering of more than 500 people.

"When providing for security, we always take into account the known circumstances and information acquired about the protests. Because today's rally has not been reported and has no known organiser, who is... bound to ensure safety of the participants, security was adjusted," the police said of the closed-off square.

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Janša says EU recovery plan must be agreed before summer break

BRUSSELS, Belgium/LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Janša underlined that the EU must come to an agreement on the coronavirus recovery plan before the summer break, as he addressed his counterparts in a video-conferenced summit. Delays would have detrimental effects on the financial markets, he said, adding that a week "may mean billions".

Two new coronavirus cases confirmed on Thursday

LJUBLJANA - Two new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Slovenia on Thursday, one in Ljubljana and the other in Koper, bringing the total number of infections since early March to 1,513, the latest government data show. 902 coronavirus tests were carried out yesterday, and eight Covid-19 patients were in hospital, of whom one needed intensive care. The death toll has remained at 109 since the last Covid-19 patient died on 31 May.

Unsuitable masks delivered to hospitals, only fraction returned

LJUBLJANA - Yet another faulty personal protection equipment (PPE) deal has been uncovered in Slovenia, after it transpired that 150,000 masks unsuitable for use in healthcare had been distributed to hospitals. When this was determined about a month later, only some 26,400 had been returned to the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. The masks were delivered by the company ART-PE, which signed two contracts with the Commodity Reserves Agency to deliver a total of just over EUR 1 million worth of protective masks and gloves suitable for use in healthcare.

Advisory meeting stresses need to restore and upgrade exports

LJUBLJANA - The need to restore and upgrade Slovenia's export routes, which are the main driving force of the country's economy, was highlighted as the council for internationalisation, an advisory body to the government, met under the leadership of Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and Foreign Minister Anže Logar. The ministers said that the session had focused on the kick-starting of the economy after the epidemic and the need for coordinated government measures to achieve this.

EU Commission allows Slovenia to redistribute EUR 275m cohesion funds

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has approved Slovenia's plan to redistribute EUR 275 million in cohesion policy funds for measures to alleviate the effects of the coronavirus epidemic in the country. The funds will be spent in healthcare, programmes for SMEs, job preservation, protection of vulnerable groups and digitalisation of education.

NSi leader hopes demographic office, fund to be in place in autumn

LJUBLJANA - New Slovenia (NSi) leader Matej Tonin said demographic challenges were now a key topic under discussion in the coalition. If the coalition works hard enough, Slovenia could have a national demographic fund and a demographic office up and running already in the autumn. The fund, which has been long in the making, should not only provide funds for the elderly, for pensions, but for the entire population, encouraging a higher birth rate and attracting highly-skilled Slovenians back to Slovenia, Tonin said.

SMC leader says it's time to calm political passions

LJUBLJANA - Now that it has successfully tackled the coronavirus epidemic, Slovenia should close ranks to unlock the political and economic potential to the benefit of the country, Modern Centre Party (SMC) leader Zdarvko Počivalšek, economy minister, said as he assessed the Janez Janša government's first 100 days in office. He highlighted restarting the Slovenian economy, digitalisation, R&D investment, cutting red tape, balanced regional development, and calming political passions and disharmonies as the main tasks ahead.

Logar discusses strengthening of bilateral cooperation with Ukrainian FM

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar talked to his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba over the phone, with the pair agreeing that bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Ukraine should be further strengthened. Apart from discussing the preparations for a potential second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the ministers also touched on the security and humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Slovenian army successfully completes Leap exercise

CERKLJE OB KRKI - A ceremony was held at the army airport Cerklje ob Krki to mark the conclusion of Leap 2020, the biggest military exercise this year. According to Defence Minister Matej Tonin, the exercise has shown the Slovenian army is alive and well, and at the country's disposal. Noting that 59 municipalities had supported the exercise, Tonin stressed that the government was working on improving the situation in the army, including by improving the working conditions of soldiers, and creating the basis for the army's long-term development.

Man stopped at gunpoint at border denies orchestrating incident

LJUBLJANA - The man who was stopped at gunpoint by a Slovenian soldier on the Slovenian-Italian border in early May denied allegations that he had orchestrated the incident. "I have nothing against the military, nothing against the soldier," Daniel Malalan told RTV Slovenija on Thursday. Malalan, a member of the Slovenian ethnic community in Italy, said he had wanted to remain anonymous, but when some media outed him and accused him of radical leftist views, he decided to speak up.

Police physically remove protesters reading Constitution

LJUBLJANA - Anti-government protesters again took to the streets across Slovenia. In Ljubljana, some of the protesters entered the square outside the Parliament House which had been completely fenced off, to read the Constitution. After refusing to move, they were physically removed by the riot police.

Over 20,000 employees already registered for short-time work

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian employers have submitted requests for short-time work subsidies for 20,556 employees just a week after the scheme designed to help businesses weather the crisis came into effect, show data by the Employment Service. Short-time work subsidies are the centrepiece of the latest economic stimulus package and are available until the end of the year.

Consumer confidence slowly up after April's plunge

LJUBLJANA - After a sharp drop in April amid the coronavirus lockdown, Slovenia's consumer confidence improved in June for the second month, rising by 9 percentage points compared to May, but still remaining 16 points below the long-term average, show the latest Statistics Office figures released. The consumer confidence indicator is now 29 points lower than in June 2019 and 26 points lower than last year's average.

SIJ will not pay out dividends this year

LJUBLJANA - The general meeting of Russian-owned steel maker SIJ unanimously decided to leave the entire least year's distributable profit of EUR 108.6 million undistributed, the company said on the web site of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange. Steel manufacturer SIJ posted a net profit of EUR 44.9 million for 2019, a 816% year-on-year increase, which is largely the result of the sale of poultry producer Perutnina Ptuj. Group sales revenue declined by 3.3% to EUR 767.4 million and profit before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was up 4.7% to EUR 58.8 million.

Slovenia violating Human Rights Convention in sending migrants to Croatia, debate hears

MARIBOR - A day before World Refugee Day, a debate in Maribor heard that Slovenia is in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights because it has been sending illegal migrants back to Croatia, knowing that their human rights would be violated. Organised by the Institute of Ethnic and Regional Studies, the debate discussed the situation along the Balkan migration route.

Ministry plans new legislation to improve Roma situation

NOVO MESTO - Minister Janez Cigler Kralj visited Novo Mesto to meet local authorities and representatives of the Roma community. He announced his ministry would prepare a set of legislative measures to address the Roma situation by autumn, but did not elaborate, saying they should be first thoroughly examined by all stakeholders. His visit comes after a group of eleven mayors from the south-east of the country wrote to Prime Minister Janez Janša last week complaining about the problems with the Roma community, especially regarding violence and crime.

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Just a few hours ahead of the weekly anti-government protest which occur every Friday evening in Ljubljana, the police decided to push the fence surrounding the Parliament building towards Cankarjev Dom, preventing the expected thousands of protesters from accessing their usual venue.

Danes dostop na TR3 prepovedan. pic.twitter.com/hQzEHYOB1D

— Borut Mekina (@borutmekina) June 19, 2020

At the time of writing some protesters had already gathered inside the fence for a group reading of the Slovenian constitution, which grants people freedom of gathering and expression.

Why are people getting “free money” to go on vacation?

Slovenia is attempting to restart its tourism industry by spending up to €345 million on tourist vouchers (turistični boni) for all permanent residents, with people being encouraged to have a domestic vocation and do their patriotic duty by then going out and enjoying meals, activities and so on to make up for the expected loss in foreign visitors.

How much will I get?

All permanent residents of Slovenia aged 18 and over in 2020, including foreigners with that status as of 13 March 2020 and those whose 18^th birthdays are later this year, will a get €200 tourist voucher. Those under 18 will get €50.

When can I use the money?

The vouchers can be used from today, 19 June, until the end of the year. If you haven’t used the money by 31 December, then you’ll lose it, with the government expecting around €100 million will remain unclaimed.

How can I get my voucher?

The vouchers are not actual pieces of paper, but will be paid to the place you book accommodation based on your tax number and identification details (perhaps only the latter, but we recommend having your tax number with you, if an adult, to avoid disappointent), which you’ll need to show, along with completing a form, at the reception desk. But note that providers do not have to accept the vouchers – so check before making a booking.

Do I need to spend all €200 at once?

No, you can use the money in installments, and you can check your balance online - find out how here.

Where can I spend the money

In short, any registered tourist facility that offers accommodation, with or without breakfast, such as hotels, self-catering units, lodges, tourism farms, private homes (aka Airbnb), mountain huts, camps and other facilities.

What if I don’t want to travel?

Then you can transfer the money to a relative within the immediate family, with siblings and cousins excluded, with more details here. Note that the entire amount must be transferred at one time.

I run an accomodation provider – when will I get paid?

FURS – the tax office – should pay you within 30 days of the guest checking in and using a voucher.

What about fraud?

If you violate the rules on transferring your voucher to another person then there are fines from €200 to €600. If a tourist provider commits fraud, the fines are from €3000 to 40,000 – see here.

Anything else I should know?

Yes, the provider will need internet access to validate your voucher at the reception desk. While this shouldn’t be a problem with most places, mountain huts may have unreliable connections. In which case the guest will need to pay, get a receipt, and then apply fro a refund from FURS within three days of checking out. The refund should then be delivered within 30 days.

Can I bring a guest?

Yes, but the person with the voucher will need to be traveling with the guest and stay overnight at the same place.

STA, 18 June 2020 - The government has compiled a list of key investments that will be given priority treatment in administrative procedures so as to help kick-start the economy. The list currently features 187 investments worth EUR 7.7 billion and will be updated on an ongoing basis, Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak told the press on Thursday.

The minister said the main intention of the third stimulus package and the list of investments was to promote the implementation of projects which had come to a standstill due to bureaucratic complications.

A special task force will examine the projects giving them a priority mark based on their feasibility and whether their finances are already clear, he explained after the government session.

It will get down to work in the coming days, "starting with the projects which are closest to being implemented and which can be brought to life fastest".

The task force will feature representatives of agencies and other offices which are key in the process of obtaining permits.

This new approach could well halve the duration of certain administrative procedures, Vizjak said, adding that "the change at the helm of many institutions important for obtaining permits" would also make these offices act in a less bureaucratic manner.

The list features 22 environment projects worth EUR 310 million and 19 energy projects worth EUR 650 million, including a new reactor at Nuclear Power Plant in Krško.

There are also many transport projects, worth a combined EUR 4.5 billion.

Regional development projects, among them projects from health, education, culture etc, are worth more than EUR 2 billion.

"The government believes that starting an investment cycle in Slovenia does not only mean preserving jobs but also creating new ones. Not only in construction but also in many other industries which are related to construction ...."

Vizjak said this was the first list to start with, but it would be further refreshed with potential new investments before the summer holidays.

The list does not feature only publicly funded projects but also those funded from private sources.

"We also count a lot on the [EU post-Covid] recovery fund, which is still being consolidated and formed and which could be a source for many a project."

Also on the list are projects for which the finances have been fully secured, but are deadlocked due to failure to obtain permits.

The list moreover includes a number of projects which are needed systemically, from new homes for the elderly and housing to water supply, flood safety.

The minister believes the list is an important message to businesses showing that the government would like to encourage an investment cycle and "that everyone who would like to invest in environmentally feasible projects and who wants to see the country's further development in all areas, is welcome".

As for NEK 2, the second reactor at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, Vizjak recalled it had been placed among important projects already back in 2006.

It has now made it to the list of key investments "because finally, siting procedures should be launched".

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has described the list as "a contribution to the revival of the economy and the preservation of many jobs".

The list, which was initially expected to include 50-odd projects, now features virtually all major public infrastructure projects currently under consideration.

Some of the biggest projects are ongoing construction of a new track between Divača and Koper, several smaller rail projects across the entire rail network, the north-south expressway in eastern Slovenia, dubbed the third development axis, and the passenger terminal in Ljubljana.

Energy projects on the list include the Mokrice hydro plant on the Sava, the second unit at Krško plus the radwaste repository, and a transmission line upgrade between Cirkovce and Pince in eastern Slovenia.

Several flood protection projects are on the list as well, along with multiple housing projects, construction of new care homes, hospitals and university buildings.

In the culture segment, the new wing of the National and University Library, dubbed NUK2, made the cut along with a renovation of the SNG Drama theatre in Ljubljana and the National Archives building.

STA, 18 June 2020 - President Borut Pahor warned MPs in a special address on Thursday against any delays in securing Constitutional Court-ordered electoral reform, saying a situation could occur where it will not be possible to execute a legitimate election. "This would push our county into a constitutional crisis or even political chaos and must not happen," he said.

In what was only the second time a Slovenian president addressed the National Assembly of his own accord, Pahor stressed 21 December this year was the deadline set in the 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court which said major discrepancies among population sizes in electoral districts no longer guaranteed the one person-one vote principle.

Pahor spoke of the most important constitutional problem in the country at the moment and urged MPs not to put off the necessary changes and implement the top court's ruling before the deadline.

Predsednik Pahor je nastopil na seji Državnega zbora RS. https://t.co/81L50FlzRU pic.twitter.com/dVylTb7QFr

— Borut Pahor (@BorutPahor) June 18, 2020

There is still enough time, but only if the "demanding efforts are resumed immediately", said Pahor, who has spearhead the efforts to change electoral legislation, having hosted several rounds of talks on the topic since January 2019.

"Any postponing could have fatal consequences. In case an election is called on the basis of existing legislation, meaning without a prior implementation of the Constitutional Court ruling, a long, dark shadow of doubt about constitutional compliance would fall on the election," Pahor said.

He added the he himself as well as the people of Slovenia were justified in expecting that such a scenario will not occur.

While also pointing to the aggravating circumstances related to the threat of an economic and social crisis, Pahor warned against the reform becoming the subject of any political calculations. "Nobody can win here...we can all only lose," he argued.

Pahor feels that a general election held on the basis of existing legislation before 21 December this year would still be acceptable, while this would definitely not be the case for any later date, where such an election "could not escape justified reproaches about being illegitimate and at odds with the constitution".

"The Constitutional Court wrote in its ruling that its non-implementation would amount to a violation of Article 2 of the constitution, which states Slovenia is a welfare sate and a state governed by the rule of law, and of paragraph 2 of Article 3, which says that in Slovenia power is vested in the people," Pahor noted.

He reminded MPs that that efforts for the changes were not at the starting point, as several rounds of talks have been held. Agreement has for instance been reached in principle that there are two possible solutions - redrawing the borders of the districts or scrapping the districts and introducing a preferential vote.

MPs came closest to agreeing on the second option, one that Pahor also favours, but parliament was 3 votes short in the face of opposition by the senior coalition Democrats (SDS) and junior coalition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS).

Saying efforts have now been revived after coming to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic, Pahor says an understanding seems to have been reached that a new attempt would be made for an agreement on a redrawing of the municipal borders.

"I'm aware that meeting the task before the end of the year will be very difficult, actually almost impossible. However, all of us, who are represented by you, trust that you are up to the task," he said.