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, 14 May
LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Matej Tonin announced a new concept of basic training for the Slovenian Armed Forces, designed as a single entry point for those interested in either voluntary or professional service. For the whole 13 weeks of training, recruits will get a pay of roughly EUR 3,200.
LJUBLJANA - Trade union confederations said they had decided to leave the Economic and Social Council (ESS) because the government had practically abolished social dialogue and thus deprived them of the seats at the negotiating table. Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj regretted the decision.
LJUBLJANA - An Israeli flag was hoisted along the Slovenian and EU flags on the Slovenian government building as an expression of solidarity with Israel, with the government "condemning the terrorist attacks and standing by Israel." President Borut Pahor and parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič expressed disagreement, and move was also criticised by the Palestinian ambassador to Slovenia and the Muslim Community of Slovenia.
LJUBLJANA - Boštjan Vasle, the governor of Slovenia's central bank, said in an interview with the STA he thinks the key challenge of the post-Covid recovery will be to get the timing of the end of extraordinary monetary policy measures right. "We have to be mindful not to withdraw [the measures] too quickly."
LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said Slovenia thought it was essential that the EU digital green certificate, which is designed to facilitate cross-border travel, be implemented by 1 July. If that does not happen, member states will be forced to resort to national solutions.
LJUBLJANA - Economist Mojmir Mrak criticised for Mladina the content and the drawing up of the national recovery and resilience plan. He feels that the measures are not sufficiently oriented towards development and productivity, and that the government showed distrust towards experts and public in the process.
POLJČE - A memorial plaque was unveiled marking a key meeting in May 1991 that set the guidelines for Slovenia's defence in the independence war that followed in June. PM Janez Janša said at the ceremony that all those at the meeting knew Slovenia declaring independence would result in a clash with the Yugoslav People's Army.
LJUBLJANA - FM Anže Logar met his Andorran counterpart Maria Ubach Font, with the pair agreeing that the cooperation between Slovenia and Andorra could be enhanced in agriculture and high-tech as the areas with the most potential.
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed amendments to the act on communicable diseases that bring fines of between EUR 400 and EUR 4,000 for those who ignore orders to quarantine. Police may issue quarantine orders on arrival in the country.
SATURDAY, 15 May
IG - Slovenian Armed Forces Day was marked at a ceremony remembering the day 30 years ago when Slovenian conscripts started serving exclusively in Slovenia, with President Borut Pahor, the commander-in-chief, praising the army as a military pillar of national security. The event was attended by PM Janez Janša, Defence Minister Matej Tonin and Maj-Gen Robert Glavaš, chief of the general staff.
LJUBLJANA - Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said in an interview with the newspaper Dnevnik that the European Commission was worried about the situation in Slovenia, chiefly about media freedom, noting that Brussels had never before treated Slovenia as a problematic member as it did now.
LJUBLJANA - Media reported that several small radio stations with special status, as well as the newspapers Delo and Dnevnik, had lost the state's financial support provided under the Culture Ministry's annual co-funding scheme. Especially for the small radio stations this is bound to cause serious financial problems.
LJUBLJANA - Certain easing of coronavirus restrictions kicked in, with up to 50 persons being allowed to gather for organised public events and rallies. Quarantine can be again short-stopped after five days in case of a negative PCR test.
SUNDAY, 16 May
SAN FLORIANO DEL COLLIO - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch visited the Slovenian community in Italy's San Floriano del Collio, with locals assuring the government representative that "as proud Slovenians, they are not letting go of the Slovenian language and culture." As part of the visit in the Province of Gorizia, Jaklitsch met Mayor Franca Padovan and representatives of the local cultural associations.
LUČE - PM Janez Janša was honoured by the Skala mountaineering club for his contribution to the promotion of the club's values and goals. The association said Janša had received the Kocbek Prize for his "visionary and selfless work, as well as his numerous initiatives and exemplary persistence on the way to establishing the club Skala".
MONDAY, 17 May
BRDO PRI KRANJU - President Borut Pahor hosted a summit of the Brdo-Brijuni Process featuring his counterparts from Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia and the presiding trio of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Marking the 10th anniversary of the initiative, the summit adopted the Brdo Declaration in which the leaders reaffirm their commitment to EU enlargement, and urge the EU to speed up the process to include the whole region in the bloc.
LJUBLJANA/BERLIN, Germany - Prime Minister Janez Janša held a videoconference call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and vaccination. The pair also talked about Slovenia's EU presidency priorities, the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Western Balkans.
LJUBLJANA - In an unprecedented event, the National Assembly failed to endorse the agenda proposed for the May plenary session, including a vote on the motion to impeach PM Janez Janša and on the proposal to dismiss Igor Zorčič as the speaker, with 42 MPs voting in favour and 42 against. In response, the centre-left coalition filed for a session to discuss impeachment, while the coalition requested a session to vote on most other items on the agenda, except for the vote on Zorčič and opposition bills. Both will be held next week.
LJUBLJANA - Further easing of anti-coronavirus restrictions kicked in, as all secondary school and university students returned to in-person schooling, a limited number of spectators is permitted at sports events and opening hours for hospitality establishments were extended to 5am-10pm.
LJUBLJANA - The college of deputy groups confirmed a new breakdown of seats in the working bodies of the National Assembly to assign seats in a total of 12 bodies to the four unaffiliated MPs. The centre-left opposition later continued to insist that the new breakdown did not reflect the actual balance of power between the coalition and opposition, noting the opposition was still eight seats short.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs took part in a session of the Schengen Forum, saying that Slovenia as the presiding country of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021 would make an effort to strengthen the Schengen Area.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Parliament confirmed that Slovenia had cancelled a Slovenian art show that had been scheduled to be held in Brussels during Slovenia's EU presidency. Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti said the decision was his because he had not been informed of the details in time.
LJUBLJANA - The latest Vox Populi poll showed that the support for the Janez Janša government hit its lowest point so far as 70.2% said they thought the government was not doing its job well. Meanwhile, the ruling Democrats (SDS) remained in the lead at 18%, followed by the opposition SocDems, at 13%.
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services (KNOVS) announced it would file a criminal complaint against former PM Marjan Šarec, his ex-aide Damir Črnčec and former head of the SOVA intelligence agency Rajko Kozmelj on suspicion of abuse of office in hiring Šarec's acquaintance at SOVA.
LJUBLJANA - The tourism company Sava Turizem said it generated last year EUR 55.2 million in sales revenue, which is 47% less than in the year before. It generated more than a quarter of the revenue from tourism vouchers.
LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in March was EUR 2,010, up 3.3% nominally and 3% in real terms compared to February. The average net pay for March was EUR 1,291, which was 3% higher nominally and 2.7% higher in real terms, the Statistics Office said.
TUESDAY, 18 May
BRUSSELS, Belgium - FM Anže Logar called for EU unity and active engagement towards finding a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as he took part in a session of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council. A political solution based on negotiations is the only way to achieve just and lasting peace based on the two-state principle, he added.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak announced that a demanding legislative package to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and biodiversity will be at the core of Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in the field of environment in the second half of 2021.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec presented the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency to her EU counterparts, saying Slovenia would strive for the young to be heard, for everyone to obtain quality education and for the European model of sports.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti met Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Youth Mariya Gabriel to present the relevant priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency. The innovative potential of culture and the competitiveness of European culture will be at the forefront, he said.
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar announced that student self-testing will be launched next Monday, but only for some secondary school students for now. Others, including older primary school pupils, could start taking swabs a week later or as soon as possible.
LJUBLJANA - The trade union representing professional firefighters announced it was preparing for a strike after its calls for implementing the 2018 strike-averting agreement had been completely ignored by the government. The Defence Ministry said it intended to resume the negotiations as soon as possible.
LJUBLJANA - The Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, an NGO offering legal support to individuals and organisations that find themselves in legal proceedings because of their non-violent public activity, filed a criminal complaint against the head of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) over suspension of funding to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).
LJUBLJANA - The government approved the Chinese-owned group Hisense Europe Electronics EUR 1 million in non-refundable funds for its TV production plant at the existing Gorenje operation in Velenje. "The project crucially contributes to regional development through creation of new and preservation of existing jobs," the government said.
LJUBLJANA - The insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav reported a group net profit increase of 18% in the first quarter to EUR 26.6 million as gross written revenue increased by 7% over the year before to almost EUR 372 million. Gross claims paid amounted to EUR 171.3 million, down by 4% year-on-year, the company said in an earnings release.
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - Slovenia's entry to the 2021 Eurovision song contest, a power ballad by Ana Soklič entitled Amen, failed to make it to the competition's final. Soklič was chosen to represent Slovenia this year as she did not get the chance to do that in 2020.
.
WEDNESDAY, 19 May
BERLIN, Germany - German FM Heiko Maas pledged Germany's support to Slovenia during the latter's presidency of the Council of the EU ahead of his meeting with Slovenia's Anže Logar. He highlighted the importance of the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans and the rule of law, while Logar said Slovenia would propose regular EU summits with Western Balkan countries.
BELGRADE, Serbia - Migration in the Western Balkans, security and police cooperation topped the agenda as Interior Minister Aleš Hojs met his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vulin. The pair agreed that the key challenges were mainly the inability to return migrants to their countries of origin or transit countries, and abuses of the asylum system.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - After meeting European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee chair David McAllister and heads of political groups in the European Parliament, FM Anže Logar was critical of some Slovenian MEPs for what he described as "attempts to put Slovenia in a pillory", including in relation to the issues of media freedom or STA funding.
LJUBLJANA - A civil initiative opposing the latest amendments to the waters act submitted almost 48,500 signatures in support of its initiative to hold a referendum on the law, which was passed at the end of March. The National Assembly must now meet to formally call a referendum in seven days.
CERKLJE OB KRKI - The first stage of modernisation of the Cerklje ob Krki air base has been completed. Worth EUR 72.5 million, of which NATO contributed EUR 41 million, the project involved the construction of a control tower, apron and a helipad, and installation of an instrument landing system, lighting system and navigation and meteorological equipment.
LJUBLJANA - Marta Grgič Vitek, the national vaccination coordinator, said that a quarter of residents at the minimum have had one dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 in all Slovenia's regions. In some regions the share is nearing 30%.
LJUBLJANA - Doctors from a group called zdravstvo.si left a Health Ministry task force in charge of amending public procurement procedures in healthcare because their proposal to eliminate price anomalies in procurement of medical devices has not been welcomed.
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian banks posted a cumulative profit after tax of EUR 95 million for the first quarter, up 61% over the same period last year. Pre-tax profit rose by half to almost EUR 105 million, show central bank data.
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's 22-year-old cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar confirmed he will be able to race at the Tour of Slovenia, which will take place from 9 to 13 June, as he prepares to defend his 2020 title in the Tour de France.
THURSDAY, 20 May
BRDO PRI KRANJU - PM Janez Janša and President Borut Pahor argued for making discussion within the Conference on the Future of Europe as inclusive as possible, as they addressed an opening debate on the topic. The same view was aired by some other participants, who advocated for pluralism in the bloc.
LJUBLJANA - Following the government's decision to withdraw Slovenia's troops deployed in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, the six Slovenian soldiers returned home via Italy, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) said. Their return marks the end of Slovenia's mission in Afghanistan.
POSTOJNA - Prime Minister Janez Janša and Defence Minister Matej Tonin visited the SAF main training grounds in Poček to take a look at the Slovenian part of the ongoing all-European military exercise Defender Europe 2021. Also reviewing the exercise led by the US forces was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod D. Wolters.
BRESTANICA - A Eurocopter Tiger helicopter of the Spanish Armed Forces hit an overhead power line during the military exercise Adriatic Strike, the SAF said. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing. Nobody was injured. The cause of the incident has not been established yet, the Defence Ministry said.
BERLIN, Germany - FM Anže Logar concluded a two-day working visit to Germany by meeting representatives of the German parliament. He presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities and the European perspective for the Western Balkans to the president of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble, the ministry said.
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar called for coordination of measures to form guidance for travel and crossing the borders within the EU, as he addressed a virtual informal meeting of EU health ministers. He also urged a fair global distribution of vaccines against Covid-19.
NOVO MESTO - Drug maker Krka, which had a record 2020, saw group revenue decline by 14% in the first quarter of this year to EUR 395.8 million. Net profit rose by 1% to a record EUR 86.4 million. CEO Jože Colarič described the Q1 performance as "successful and according to our expectations".
LJUBLJANA - Insurance group Sava saw group net profit rise by 128% in the first quarter to EUR 23.5 million, mostly as a result of past takeovers and positive operations in all of its segments. The profit represents over 44% of the target for the year.
