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This summary is provided by the STA:
Slovenia gets 14th government as Janez Janša's cabinet endorsed
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia got its 14th government at the height of the coronavirus epidemic as the National Assembly confirmed the centre-right cabinet of Janez Janša at a session at which the fight against coronavirus and the previous government's inaction in the face of the outbreak dominated the debate. Janša came out in force against the previous government's efforts, accusing it of having missed the best time to take action. He promised the new government would take concerted and far-reaching measures. The virus can no longer be stopped, but its spreading must be slowed. "This is a battle with time, a battle that has to be won inasmuch as this is possible," he said. The opposition said it would be constructive at a time of such a national emergency but would keep a close eye on any excesses. Janša and his team already received congratulations from the US Embassy and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Urgent appeal for social distancing as COVID-19 cases keep rising
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's health officials appealed on the population to keep their social contacts to the minimum to curb the accelerating spread of coronavirus as the number of those who tested positive rose to by 45 yesterday to 141 by 2pm. Nina Pirnat, director of the National Public Health Institute, said "we must limit social contacts to the greatest possible extent to curb the spread of infections as much as possible". She called on parents to make sure young people follow social distancing rules as schools close on Monday. Various distance learning methods will be organised. The Health Ministry issued an order banning the sale and export of protective gear such as gloves, hazmat suits, masks, goggles and sanitizer. These will be reserved for health workers, police, the army and rescue services.
Gantar: COVID-19 outbreak could get out of hand unless slowed down
LJUBLJANA - Tomaž Gantar, the new health minister, warned of the urgency to slow down the current rate of growth in new coronavirus cases in Slovenia or else the situation could soon get out of hand. In his hearing before the parliamentary Health Committee, Gantar announced further measures to curb the epidemic. "It's necessary to beat the drum at the maximum level and adopt most drastic measures interfering in our lives," he said. Gantar said the problem had been underestimated at the beginning with COVID-19 compared to flu and a two-metre distance seen as sufficient to prevent the virus from getting transmitted.
Černač determined to speed up drawing of EU funds
LJUBLJANA - Zvonko Černač said there was a lot of room for improvement in the phasing of EU funds in his committee hearing. He is determined to prevent Slovenia from losing any of the funding it is entitled to. "My task will be making sure that by 2023 we draw all the funds from the existing financial perspective and prepare in a timely fashion the ground for successful phasing in the new perspective." He said that both SDS-led governments so far had been successful in negotiations for "our piece of the Brussels pie" and that he was moderately optimistic that the situation would improve in Slovenia's favour now.
Jaklitsch calls for joint effort in fostering ties with diaspora
LJUBLJANA - Helena Jaklitsch, the new minister without portfolio in charge of the diaspora, argued in her presentation in parliament that several government departments should be engaged in honouring Slovenia's commitment to Slovenians abroad. "The minister and office cannot do everything, so it's necessary to engage several ministries in this field, starting with the Foreign Ministry," said Jaklitsch. Particular attention should be directed to young people and the return of Slovenian emigrants and their descendants.
National culture programme top priority for new culture minister
LJUBLJANA - Vasko Simoniti will make it his first task as culture minister to draw up a new national culture programme, the framework for programming and financial priorities in the arts. Acceleration of private investments in the arts and greater phasing of EU funds will also be high on the agenda, he told the Culture Committee. Simoniti said financing models for the arts needed to change since Slovenian cultural policy had so far relied too heavily on budgetary funding, suggesting that private investment and own funding of cultural institutions should be boosted.
Cerar not to take seat in National Assembly
LJUBLJANA - Outgoing FM Miro Cerar announced that after the appointment of the new government, he would not take a seat in the National Assembly he is entitled to as an MP elected on the list of the Modern Centre Party (SMC). Cerar recently quit the party he founded in 2014 and presided until last September over the decision of the SMC leadership to join a coalition around the right-wing Democratic Party (SDS). His decision means that Jani Möderndorfer will keep his MP seat. Möderndorfer does not support the new coalition, and there are reports that he could defect to the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ).
Petrol increases net profit by 15% last year to EUR 105.2m
LJUBLJANA - The energy group Petrol said it generated sales revenues of EUR 4.4 billion last year, which is 1% more than in 2018, while net profit was up by 15% to EUR 105.2 million. The group last year posted EUR 472.9 million in adjusted gross profit, up 7% year-on-year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 9% to EUR 196.5 million. It sold 3.7 million tonnes of petroleum products in 2019, 6% more than in 2018. As for the coronavirus outbreak, Petrol said that "there have been no disruptions to our operations so far".
Chamber of Commerce says economic damage of coronavirus will be grave
LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) said the duration of the coronavirus crisis measures will be the key factor when it comes to the final scale of what will in any case be a significant blow to the economy. The measures cause fairly asymmetrical and unpredictable shocks, the GZS's chief economist Bojan Ivanc said. Consumption and net exports are expected to go down, while investment will probably be less affected in the short-term. Ivanc said Slovenia should consider loosening the balanced-budget rule.
Officials react to stockpiling with assurances supply is stable
LJUBLJANA - Seeing people rush to grocery stores for large purchases in recent days, the country's top officials are trying to assuage fears about food supply. Agriculture and Food Minister Aleksandra Pivec said the supply of essential goods was stable and reserves were being replenished or expanded where disruptions are expected, and outgoing PM Marjan Šarec added that "basic foodstuffs will be there and there is enough in the reserves." His successor Janez Janša, who has indicated Slovenia will go into lockdown mode once his government takes over, called on people to show restraint.
Public administration winding down operations
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian public administration is gradually winding down operations due to the coronavirus epidemic. Courts will suspend must proceedings, while administrative units, which handle most administrative procedures and issue documents, will minimise their activities. Supreme Court president Damijan Florjančič ordered a suspension of most activities from 16 March until 15 May at the latest, during which time all procedural deadlines will be frozen. Administrative units will close some departments to focus on the most urgent matters, most applications will be processed electronically. Marriages will not be performed.
Cultural institutions closing doors due to coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - Public cultural institutions in Slovenia are closing their doors as a measure to contain the spreading of the new coronavirus, following the recommendation to do so by the Ministry of Culture. The ministry said the recommendation related to "closure of exhibitions, libraries, cancellation of shows, round table debates, workshops and other events attracting a large number of people." Numerous institutions around the country have already announced closure, including almost all major libraries, theatres, museums, galleries and cinema theatres.
Legendary director of football Zlatko Zahovič leaving Maribor
MARIBOR - Zlatko Zahovič, the long-serving director of football at Maribor, bid the club farewell in what has been announced as a mutual agreement reached with the management. Confirming the departure of the legendary player and manager, the club management said "the joint story, which started in 1 August 2007, has ended." Zahovič's departure comes amidst a crisis in the club, which has been struggling to keep pace with the arch-rivals Olimpija Ljubljana. Coach Darko Milanič recently resigned as well.
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