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Debate: NATO remains key to security and stability
TRZIN - NATO remains vital to providing stability and security, a debate marking its 70th anniversary and Slovenia's 15-year membership of it heard. NATO is a unique partnership which has despite various threats successfully provided for stability and security for 70 years, Katja Geršak, the executive director of the Centre for European Perspective, which organised the debate, said. Similarly, Jelena Juvan from the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences believes NATO will continue to pay an important role in European security and globally, noting the key to success was cooperation, both within NATO as well as with Russia and China. Defence Ministry State Secretary Klemen Grošelj added Slovenia was committed to its NATO goals, noting a white paper would provide a realistic plan about their implementation.
Pahor, Erjavec endorse army chief after media reports of dismissal
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor, the supreme commander of the Slovenian Armed Forces, and Defence Minister Karl Erjavec endorsed Maj Gen Alenka Ermenc, the chief of the general staff, after the media speculated over her possible replacement. Pahor said he "could not imagine a third replacement at the head of the army in a year", stressing he did not see any valid reasons for Ermenc to be dismissed or to resign. Erjavec also expressed his support, saying he had not considered replacing her. Media reports had suggested Ermenc was losing the coalition's support due to a rumoured dispute with Erjavec, the government's dissatisfaction and possible health reasons.
Over 20 GPs in Kranj tender their resignation
KRANJ - GPs around Slovenia are stepping up pressure in the face of the increasing workload and red tape, with 23 doctors of the Kranj community health centre tendering their resignations. The move comes after the doctors threatened to quit their job as of 1 April unless the conditions are created enabling them to carry out their work safely and in line with medical standards. Doctors have a 60-day notice period, and if the situation is not resolved, the GPs will have to be let go at the end of May. GPs from the Ptuj Community Health Centre also joined the calls for change in primary healthcare, or else 16 GPs would resign on 1 June.
Maribor mayor's home also vandalised
MARIBOR - Following Thursday's attacks on two restaurants owned by Maribor Mayor Saša Arsenovič, his home was also attacked on Saturday. The reasons for the attacks by unknown perpetrators are still unknown, but are believed to be linked to his work as mayor. "The situation is becoming very serious," Arsenovič told the press, hoping the police would conclude the investigation of the incidents as soon as possible. The vandalism directed against Arsenovič's property was condemned by Maribor local politics last week, and today by the public administration and economy ministers.
Writers' Association head Kermauner resigns as systemic issues escalate
LJUBLJANA - Aksinja Kermauner resigned as of 1 April as the president of the Slovenian Writers' Association (DSP), with her resignation coinciding with that of four DSP assistants. While Kermauner is expected to present her reasons on Tuesday, the first reactions indicate serious organisational and financial issues at the DSP. Kermauner, a youth fiction author, poet and pedagogue, was elected president only last September, succeeding Ivo Svetina, who also resigned. The exact reason for her decision, which became public on Sunday, remains unclear, but the newspaper Delo reported of a clash between DSP associates and some of the DSP members and the management board.
NSi presents ex-Defence Minister Demšar as final EU vote candidate
LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) presented Franci Demšar, a researcher and a former defence minister, as its final candidate for May's EU election. Demšar, to be listed seventh on the slate, served as defence minister between 1999 and 2000. He was also a researcher at the Jožef Stefan Institute, the director of the Slovenian Research Agency and Slovenia's ambassador to Russia. The NSi slate will be topped by its former leader and former MEP Ljudmila Novak, followed by deputy group leader Jožef Horvat, while Lojze Peterle, the party's only MEP, was placed on spot no. 3. The list also features Iva Dimic, Mojca Erjavec, Katja Berk Bevc, as well as former Democrats (SDS) Education Minister Žiga Turk, who was placed eighth.
SSH's net profit up last year
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) recorded a net profit of EUR 41.8m last year, according to unaudited and unconsolidated data, which is 30.8% more than in 2017. Operating revenue almost doubled to EUR 13.5m, SSH said. The custodian of Slovenian state assets recorded an operating profit of EUR 1.3m last year after posting a loss of EUR 14m in 2017. Its long-term provisions totalled EUR 14.4m in 2017, while last year there were none. Financial revenue reached EUR 46.2m, down from EUR 55.8m in 2017.
Farm ministry gets new directorate for food and fisheries
LJUBLJANA - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food launched a new directorate for food and fisheries to promote Slovenian food and enhance the vertical integration of the food supply chain. Minister Aleksandra Pivec told the STA the new directorate was needed because safe and quality food was an increasingly important issue for consumers. The directorate is divided into sectors for food; promotion of agricultural products and food; fisheries; and for legal matters.
