The covers and editorials from leading weeklies of the Left and Right for the work-week ending Friday, 3 January 2020

Mladina: Change ahead for the global economy in 2020

STA, 3 January 2019 - The trade war the US started three years ago could get a new development in 2020 which will be caused by Europe as it is transiting to cleaner technologies. To promote clean technologies as it pursues its CO₂ commitments, Europe will have to resort to customs and taxes, "which changes everything", the left-wing weekly Mladina says on Friday.

Europe is rushing the change especially because of the interests of Germany, its No. 1 economic power which wants to be the leader, says editor-in-chief Grega Repovž, noting the German industry is expected to roll out this year many new materials and products, which will not be competitive at least in their first years.

The editor says there is some historical irony and a lot of symbolism in Europe starting the transition to cleaner industries and a new way of protecting its interests with steel.

Firstly, steel epitomises the old and dirty industry which used to turn entire regions in deserts, and secondly, the EU was in 1950 formed to protect its steel industry.

Ursula von der Leyen included the introduction of a CO₂ tax in Europe in the programme of the new European Commission, thus highlighting a new/old way of protecting European interests in order to adapt to the climate crisis.

She believes Europe should not allow its market getting flooded by cheap Chinese steel which is possibly subsidised and produced in an environmentally contentious manner.

"This announcement clearly shows that Europe will change its economic behaviour, while other superpowers will not be just watching what is going on.

"The global economy could thus change significantly due to the climate crisis ...," Repovž says, adding that things may well not develop as Europe would like it.

The transition will cost a lot at first and there is no doubt that European countries and the EU itself will have to help companies financially.

Industries are thus in for several difficult years as production and markets gets adapted to new environmental standards.

This is not just an economic issue, but also a political one because such developments can cause political turmoil, Repovž concludes the editorial A Fight for New Economy.

Demokracija: Doubts about the multiplier effect of state investment

Ljubljana, 3 January - The right-wing weekly Demokracija disputes the argument that state investment in infrastructure projects has a multiplier effect on the national economy and economic growth, rubbishing an op-ed article in which economist Jože P. Damijan argued against the selection of Turkey's Cengiz as the contractor to build the Karavanke motorway tunnel.

In the latest editorial, headlined Jože P. Damijan's Voodoo Economics, Demokracija editor-in-chief Jože Biščak notes that the article appeared in Delo, the newspaper owned by the industrial concern Kolektor, whose construction arm was one of the bidders in the tender to built the Slovenian section of the tunnel.

"Since the deep state is facing the threat of a similar outcome in other public infrastructure tenders (...) Jože P. Damijan set out to 'scientifically' prove why the state should renounce (cheaper) foreign contractors (in particular the Turks), and explained to the executive how to get rid of them.

"Damijan is not just anybody, in a decade and a half the man went from being a young free market economist to an advocate of the command economy, becoming the darling of Forum 21 and the leading left economist," writes Biščak.

He says that in his "zeal Damijan applied his strongest weapon - the multiplier effect", which Biščak denounces as a myth, quoting economists Federic Bastiat and Friedrich von Wieser.

"This is not to say the national and local governments should not invest money into infrastructure (...) but they should do so with utmost care. Including by seeing to the cheapest possible implementation of an infrastructure project.

"Governments do not produce a market value (...) Even less has their investment multiplier effects. This has also been established in a working document of the IMF for 2014 (which Damijan often refers to) by economist Andrew M. Warner, who found few (empirical) pieces of evidence that infrastructure projects had multiplier effect or generated economic growth.

"The state can do most for the domestic economy by ensuring a functional rule of law and by allowing freedom to people. That should be Slovenia's reality if it wants to be a successful country."

All our posts in this series are here

STA, 3 January 2020 - One year into her term, Slovenian Police Commissioner Tatjana Bobnar is happy to report that crime clearance rate has increased to over 50%. However, cybercrime is a problem, in particular because the police force lacks the powers to investigate it.

The clearance rate increased from 47% in 2018 to 50.2% in 2019, which Bobnar says is the success of the system, not just individuals. Speaking to the STA in an interview, the commissioner compared the police force to a postage stamp: "It sticks onto the envelope until it reaches its destination."

Bobnar, who a year ago became Slovenia's first woman police force chief, says that the police now handle many more cases of corruption, and that cracking down on corruption crimes is a priority.

Cybercrime in Slovenia

Cybercrime is a problem, in particular on the dark web "where criminals use electronic currencies, leaving behind dispersed digital traces, which we cannot secure. Applying classic investigation tools, we are not a couple of metres behind, but far behind [the criminals]," says Bobnar.

Last year the police acquired equipment to examine huge amounts of data on seized electronic devices, and the force has also established a computer forensic investigation centre and special cybercrime divisions at police departments. "But we are lagging behind in terms of powers, and that is the problem."

The Slovenian police are able to monitor telephone communications, but not encrypted communication. The Constitutional Court has banned them from using IMSI catchers, devices that mimic mobile phone towers to intercept mobile traffic, as well as the system for automatic license plate recognition.

"Slovenia is one of few EU countries that doesn't have the legal basis in place for that. We absolutely need that, also to provide road traffic safety. In the short time that we had that power, we detected many offenders who drove faulty vehicles," the commissioner notes.

The police are not demanding to be allowed to exercise general surveillance, "it's not about having the freedom of a fox in a hen house", but "security in the broadest context is a key asset that we mustn't squander", the commissioner warns.

"Luckily, we haven't witnessed a lorry ploughing into a mass of people, we don't have child kidnappings ... We still have time to ponder year in year out how much safety we want at the expense of privacy. It's not one or the other, it's both. You don't realise safety is a human right until it's gone."

The police force will push for amendments to the police tasks and powers act again this year, taking into account the Constitutional Court's guidance in annulling the respective provisions.

However, Bobnar wondered "whether it may be in someone's interest in this country that police should not be effective enough in cracking down on a portion of crime".

In fighting cybercrime, which as a rule spans across borders, legislation that is adjusted at the EU level is of exceptional importance, says Bobnar, adding that Slovenian police can benefit from exchange of data with other police forces as well as Europol and Interpol.

The police have been detecting an increase in reported cases of internet child sex abuse and pornographic material dissemination. The number of cases reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children rose from 2,000 in 2018 to 3,000 in 2019.

"We are raising awareness among people that sharing such a video is a renewed sex abuse against the child involved," says the commissioner.

The police have also been busy cracking down on illicit drugs trade, with some of major heroin and cannabis drug busts made last year. Slovenia remains a transit country for illicit drugs, and new synthetic drugs are appearing on almost a weekly basis.

Staffing issues remain a problem

The force has been grappling with staff shortages with round 900 staff leaving over the past ten years. However, they have been applying active staffing policies over the past four years to attract as many new police candidates as possible.

"We want to boost traffic police, special police unit, the security and protection centre, as well as the ranks of border patrol units and other units," says Bobnar, adding that another goal is to rejuvenate the force, whose average age at the moment is 42.

Talks have been under way for three years to let army members beyond the age of 45 continue their careers in the police force. "Everyone who meets the legislative requirements is welcome. However, some laws will need to be amended so the soldiers can bring promotions and pay brackets with them from the army."

Amending the police career system remains a challenge for this year, while Bobnar is happy that the government has secured an extra EUR 15 million per year for bonuses for police officers managing migration.

Difficult work on the border

That is a demanding task with Bobnar saying that the police manage migration as a security problem and as a humanitarian issue. However, she also noted the gap between the expectations from one part of the public who would like to open borders wide to everyone, and those who would want to shut them tight.

None is possible. Even the Hungarian border is not impenetrable, with Slovenian police assessing that the migration flow has changed direction from Slovenia's southern border toward Hungary, says the commissioner.

Last year, the Slovenian police handled almost 16,000 foreigners who entered the country illegally, returning roughly 11,000 to law enforcement authorities in neighbouring countries, most to Croatia.

"The police are investing a lot of effort an energy in preventing illegal migration so I'd like to deny any allegation of our southern border being porous and of the state being ineffective in the field," says Bobnar, noting purchases of surveillance drones and more fencing to fight the problem.

The commissioner also commended cooperation with the security authorities in the neighbouring countries, the Slovenian Armed Forces and the national intelligence and security agency SOVA, including in the efforts to detect potential former Islamic fighters, smugglers and those intending to commit other crimes.

The police last year handled 455 smugglers of migrants in 317 such cases. "It's the activity of organised criminal rings who profit at the expense of vulnerable people who seek a better life in the west."

The smugglers are "mostly citizens of third-countries, Bosnia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, but there are also Italian, Slovenian and Croatian nationals. They include asylum seekers who have abused international protection."

Growing migration is met with spreading hate speech. In cooperation with the Web Eye the police have detected a slight increase in reported hate speech cases in 2019. "In particular on forums, social networks where there's a lack of regulations and which afford anonymity," says Bobnar.

However, she does not think repression alone is the answer. "All other stakeholders, including the primary family, should do their job first. Society must say no to intolerance loud and clear (...) Equal treatment and equal opportunity should be society's key guiding principle, or else we'll never make progress."

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.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenians in Austria optimistic about new govt coalition

KLAGENFURT, Austria - The Slovenian ethnic minority in Austria is optimistic about the coalition agreement between the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Greens, which aims to make Austria carbon-neutral by 2040 and pledges to increase funding for ethnic minorities. Umbrella minority organisations believe "better times" are on the horizon. Valentin Inzko of the National Council of Carinthian Slovenians has great expectations from the new government, while the head of the Association of Slovenian Organisations Manuel Jug is a bit more cautious although still expects dialogue with the new government. Bernard Sadovnik of the Community of Carinthian Slovenian hailed the commitments from the coalition agreement as "a major step in the right direction".

Police commissioner calls for powers to fight cyber crime

LJUBLJANA - One year into her term, Slovenian Police Commissioner Tatjana Bobnar is happy to report that crime clearance rate increased to over 50% from 47%, which she says is the success of the system, not just individuals. Bobnar told the STA in an interview that the police now handle many more cases of corruption, and that cracking down on such crime is a priority. Cyber crime is a problem, in particular on the dark web, "where criminals use electronic currencies, leaving behind dispersed digital traces, which we cannot secure", said Bobnar, adding that the police were falling behind for lack of powers.

Ministry issues travel alert after Iranian general's killing

LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry issued a travel alert advising against travel to parts of Iran after General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a US air strike in Iraq. The ministry called on Slovenian citizens already in Iran or heading there in the coming days to avoid public rallies, events or funeral ceremonies mourning Soleimani's death. Before the latest escalation, the ministry condemned attacks on coalition forces fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Tuesday's attack on the US Embassy compound in Baghdad in the strongest terms, urging the Iraqi authorities on Thursday to ensure security of diplomatic missions in the country.

Syrian wanted by German police arrested at border

NOVO MESTO - A Syrian migrant wanted by the German police was apprehended by Slovenian border police officers at the Vinica crossing with Croatia on Thursday afternoon. The Novo Mesto Police Department said the 43-year-old man had been brought for questioning before an investigating judge.

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

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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, 27 December
        LJUBLJANA - Bank NLB and Belgian KBC, NLB's former owner, sold their life insurance company NLB Vita to the country's second biggest insurer Sava Re for an undisclosed amount believed to be in the EUR 20-30 million range. The sale means that NLB met the last of several conditions attached to the 2013 bailout.
        ZAGREB, Croatia - Bankrupt Croatian conglomerate Agrokor, the owner of Slovenian retailer Mercator, turned to the EU to complain about the seizure of Mercator stock by Slovenian anti-trust authorities. In a letter to Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, Agrokor chairman Fabris Peruško said the procedures ran contrary to EU and Slovenian law and were motivated by "national political reasons".

SATURDAY, 28 December
        LJUBLJANA - PM Marjan Šarec criticised some of his coalition partners in an interview with Dnevnik. He suggested he would not yield to pressure by DeSUS leader Karl Erjavec to act against Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec, his main challenger for the party presidency, until there is firm evidence of any wrongdoing.

SUNDAY, 29 December
        LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland - Slovenian cross-country skier Anamarija Lampič dominated the World Cup freestyle sprint in Lenzerheide, the second event of the Tour de Ski series. This was the second World Cup win for the 24-year-old.

MONDAY, 30 December
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor offered to help the government undertake much-needed reforms, even as he acknowledged that structural reforms may lead to the demise of the Marjan Šarec government. He told TV Slovenia the government should pick a handful of projects and try to achieve consensus with his help.
        CELJE - Three companies that form the heavily indebted retail group Tuš entered preventive financial restructuring. The restructuring for the holding company Tuš Holding, its retail arm Engrotuš and its real estate arm Tuš Nepremičnine was initiated at the request of the companies themselves and with the support of creditors.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded an above-average general government surplus in the third quarter of the year, as it reached EUR 193 million or more than triple that in the same period last year, the Statistics Office said. The surplus represented 1.6% of Slovenia's GDP.
        MORAVČE - A giant wooden sculpture resembling US President Donald Trump, which stirred controversy in late summer when it was erected in the village of Sela, was officially unveiled at its new home in Moravče, north-east of Ljubljana. The night before the second unveiling, the effigy was defaced in an effort to add a Hitler-like moustache.

TUESDAY, 31 December
        LJUBLJANA - A Vox Populi public opinion poll commissioned by Dnevnik showed that Slovenians are quite satisfied with their lives, with the respondents assessing the quality of life with an average mark of 3.38 on a one-to-five scale. It shows that persons younger than 30 are the most satisfied with their lives and that satisfaction correlates with the level of education.

WEDNESDAY, 1 January
        LJUBLJANA - Tens of thousands of Slovenians ushered in the new year in the open, with the largest crowd of 55,000 gathering in four squares in Ljubljana. The capital also saw the traditional fireworks, while some major cities this time opted for quieter celebrations without fireworks.
        LJUBLJANA - Uniform cigarette and tobacco packaging rolled out on New Year's Day under new rules, bearing graphic warnings of the adverse health effects of smoking and donning the Pantone 448 C dark brown hue, known as the ugliest colour in the world, to further deter anyone from picking up the harmful habit.

THURSDAY, 2 January
        LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry condemned attacks on coalition forces fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and an attack on the US Embassy compound in Baghdad in the strongest terms, urging the Iraqi authorities to ensure security of diplomatic missions in the country. In a response echoing the position of the EU, the Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences to the governments of the US and Iraq and to the families of those killed in the attacks.

All our posts in this series are here

STA, 3 January 2019 - The Slovenian Foreign Ministry has condemned attacks on coalition forces fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and an attack on the US Embassy compound in Baghdad in the strongest terms, urging the Iraqi authorities to ensure security of diplomatic missions in the country.

 In a response echoing the position of the EU, the Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and to the governments of the US and Iraq.

Slovenija se pridružuje stališču Evropske unije in močno obsoja napade na koalicijske enote, ki se borijo proti Daeshu v Iraku. @MZZRS izraža sožalje družinam umrlih in vladama Združenih držav Amerike in #Irak. Več ➡️ https://t.co/4yRjlfuNTP @MZZRS @vladaRS @USEmbassySLO

— SLOVENIAN MFA (@MZZRS) January 2, 2020

In a release issued last night, the ministry said that State Secretary Dobran Božič had spoken with US Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard in connection to the attacks.

Several thousand protesters attacked the US Embassy compound on Tuesday angered by US air strikes targeting an Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria.

The strikes were in retaliation for a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk on Friday in which an American civilian contractor was killed.

In a major escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a US air strike in Iraq early on Friday.

In response to the development, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry issued a travel alert on Friday advising against travel to parts of Iran.

The ministry also called on Slovenian citizens in Iran or heading there in the coming days to avoid public rallies, events or funeral ceremonies held in the wake of Soleimani's death.

The ministry noted that the general's mortal remains would shortly be brought to Iran and that mass funeral ceremonies and protests were planned throughout the country.

"Due to the population's emotional reactions we advise Slovenian citizens not to take part in such events and to limit their movements in public spaces," reads the ministry's release.

The ministry advised against any non-urgent travel to parts of Iran, including within a 100 kilometre perimeter of the Iranian-Afghan border and a 10 kilometre perimeter along Iran's border with Iraq.

The ministry also identified as risky the area along the Pakistani border and advised against travel to the Hormozgan Province along the Persian Gulf.

Travellers to eastern Iran are advised to stick to main thoroughfares and to avoid travelling at night, in particular outside major towns.

The ministry also advised against any travel to the south-eastern provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman due to abductions of tourists and travellers there.

Adria Airways finally collapsed in 2019, with investigations as to the role of its owner, 4K Invest, in the affair still ongoing. Since the closure of the erstwhile national carrier a number of airlines have stepped in to fill the more profitable gaps in the schedule, while the Slovenian government is said to be in talks with regard to subsidising some other routes.

Meanwhile, what remains of Adria is being auctioned off, with the sale of its various licenses and permits expected in the coming weeks. Ex-Yu Aviation reports that the firm’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) – which allows the holder to run commercial flights – is being offered at a starting price of €45,000. Purchasing the AOC would enable the new owner to restart Adria’s previous services from Slovenia and other EU Member States.

However, before you reach for your wallet note that the AOC would only be useful to a buyer who purchased Adria’s entire estate, as well as agreed to take on a number of obligations that remain after the carrier’s bankruptcy.

Two prominent names from Slovenian business who have been mentioned in connection with purchasing Adria’s assets are Joc Pečečnik, the founder of Interblock Gaming, and the “banana tycoon” (and property developer) Izet Rastoder.

The holidays are over and while the days are getting longer we’re still going into deeper winter, so it might be a good idea to focus on some of the more enjoyable public events ahead in the next three months and make a note in your calendar.

If we missed anything you think we should include, no matter how small, then please send details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

January 23 – 26: The BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon Pokljuka – details and tickets.

January 24 – 26: The Snow Castles of King Matjaž in Črna na Koroškem is a three-day family-friendly event with a focus on building snow castle, accompanied by a full entertainment programme. Details.

January 25: Ice Trophy on Jasna Lake. On this day “amateur and ex-pro ice hockey players will fight on the ice lake for one goal - winning the ICE TROPHY. Experience a unique and authentic sport and nature. All adult recreational players are welcome. In addition to the hockey competition, there will be a very varied accompanying program for families”. More details here and note that the whole thing is free.

January 29: February 1 GASTexpo Fair – Ljubljana, “offers various exhibitions, tastings, workshops, and competitions. The event includes wine fair with domestic and international wine offer. More information can be found here.”

January 29 – February 1^st: Natour Alpe-Adria Fair, the main tourist fair in Slovenia which promotes green, active tourism is back for it’s 31^st edition – details.

January 31 –2 February 6^th: Festival AS at Festival Hall Bled: “The AS International Music Festival is a saxophone-themed event addressing a wide audience, amateurs and professionals alike, with a vision of becoming the central event of its type in this part of Europe. It is duly named after Belgian instrument inventor Adolphe Sax, whose most famous invention is the saxophone itself.” More details here.

February 2: Kurent - korant's jump, Ptuj, the start of the Carnival season. “Shortly before midnight, crackers announce the arrival of the kurents at the scene where a big bonfire awaits them. At midnight, they put on bells and dance their first year’s dance around the fire.” More here.

February 2 – 6: Winter Ljubljana Festival: “The fourth, now traditional, edition of the festival with the accompaniment of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, will feature selected internationally renowned pianists and present the most beautiful piano and symphonic works from Beethoven's extensive music treasury.” Programme notes here.

February 3–9:  Winter Swimming World Championships, Lake Bled. Register or learn more here.

February 5 – 7: MENT, the international music showcase festival returns to Kino Šiška, with more details here.

February 15–25: The 60^th Kurentovanje Carnival starts and ends in  Ptuj, with the peak on the 23^rd and the International Carnival Parade.

February 15 – 16: Women's World Cup slalom and giant slalom races will be held at the 56th Golden Fox competition in Maribor. Tickets and times here.

February 22: Dragon Carnival in the Streets of Ljubljana “The Dragon carnival traditionally held in Ljubljana consists of a large Shrovetide carnival parade through the city's streets and a programme of entertainment held in the centrally located Kongresni trg square. The carnival parade includes, among others, a number of typical Slovenian carnival figures rooted in pagan tradition, such as 'kurent', 'laufar', 'morostar' and several others.”

February 22 – 23: FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Women will take place in Ljubno, with tickets here.

February 23: Carnival in Cerknica, home of witches, and also in Tržič and Bled and many other places, too.

February 25 Carnival in Kamnik (details).

24 February to 1 March the Festival of Mountain Film returns. The full programme will eventually be here (not at the time of writing).

March 7: The cutting of the oldest wine producing grape vine in the world will take place in Maribor, at 11am. Details.

March 11: St. Gregory's - Vuč u vodo, an event in which local children float their miniature houses down the Tržič Bistrica. The programme is enriched by an exhibition of the "gregorčki" houses lasting several days and numerous accompanying events.

March 14 – 15: Kranjska Gora will host the men's World Cup slalom and giant slalom races. Tickets.

March 20 – 21:  The International Chilli and Chocolate Festival in Maribor will bring sweetness and spice, with details here.

March 19–22: Perhaps the sporting event of the year for Slovenian viewers, the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Finals, in Planica, Kranjska Gora. Tickets.

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.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Iconic Ljubljana amateur theatre celebrates centenary

LJUBLJANA - The Šentjakobsko Theatre, the oldest continuously operating amateur repertoire theatre in Slovenia and possibly much further afield, will celebrate its centenary this year. Situated in a late 19th century mansion at the foot of Ljubljana Castle which is also home to Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, the theatre is run by the namesake society Šentjakobsko Gledališče, which was founded in December 1920. It staged its first play in June 1921 when they put on August Strindberg's The Pelican.

Ljubljana intent on making residents fit

LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana city is aiming to increase the share of the population who take regular exercise to 75% by 2028 by offering a wide selection of subsidised sports activities for all groups of residents. The city will allocate more than EUR 19 million for sports this year and almost EUR 25 million next year. About EUR 897,000 annually over the next three years will be earmarked to involve socially excluded, overfed and physically unfit children in sports as a leisure activity.

Lucky winner scoops EUR 1.7m in New Year's lottery draw

RADEČE - New Year's good wishes have come true soon enough for a lucky lotto player from the eastern town of Radeče who scooped a EUR 1.7 million jackpot in the first Slovenian National Lottery draw of the year. After paying a 15% gambling tax, the winner will walk away with EUR 1,456,540 in total, while the Radeče municipal budget will get a EUR 257,000 boost. The biggest national lotto jackpot to date was worth EUR 5 million. It was paid out in July 2015.

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

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

STA, 2 January 2019 - The Ljubljana city is aiming to increase the share of the population who take regular exercise to 75% by 2028 by offering a wide selection of subsidised sports activities for all groups of residents.

The city authorities say they will allocate about EUR 897,000 annually over the next three years to involve socially excluded, overfed and physically unfit children in sports as a leisure activity.

Children will be offered a choice of sport activities at their schools free of charge, along with several programmes of activities throughout the year.

Those include skating and cross-country running for kindergarten children, sport as play for children from first to sixth grade of primary school, and sports activities for older primary school children.

Children can learn various activities from cycling to playing golf, and the city also finances tournaments for primary school children.

While most of the activities are voluntary, all children in the first, third and six grades of primary school have to take mandatory swimming courses as part of the school curricula.

Sports associations are required to offer free training for socially deprived children.

The city would like to increase the share of residents who do sport at least twice a week to 75% by 2028, raising the share by 2% a year among adults and involving 10% more senior citizens in tutored exercise.

As part of the efforts the city is planning to hold 30 mass recreational events a year, and put in place standard equipment at outdoor fitness and street training areas and outdoor sports courts.

The city will allocate more than EUR 19 million for sports this year and almost EUR 25 million next year.

Swimming on the first day of the new year seems to have become a nationwide event with its centre in Portorož, were the climate allows organisers to not worry much about potential ice on the water.

A total of 603 swimmers jumped into the sea before a record number of spectators this year, taking take a swim from one pier to another.

But as you can see in the videos below Portorož was not the only place to see swimmers on Wednesday, despite the fact that temperatures of the rivers are much lower than those of the sea.