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This summary is provided by the STA:
Cerar regrets no decision on EU talks for N Macedonia, Albania
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar strongly regretted the EU had yet again postponed a decision on launching accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. If there is no breakthrough in the autumn, potential negative political consequences will be largely blamed on the EU, he said as he spoke to the press during a session of EU ministers for foreign and EU affairs. Cerar reiterated Slovenia's strong support for a prompt launch of accession talks for both countries, which he believes should by no means be put off again in the autumn.
Cerar: Chances for deal on top EU posts this week slim
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - There is only a faint possibility for EU leaders to reach a comprehensive deal on top EU offices as they meet for a summit this week, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar said as he spoke to the press after a Luxembourg meeting at which EU ministers discussed preparations for the 20-21 June summit. Slovenia supports a swift package deal which would result in a good distribution of key top offices among the main political groupings, taking into account the candidates' expertise and a geographical, demographic and gender balance.
Cerar: Ruling on German motorway tolls proves law must prevail
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar sees the EU court's ruling on Germany's motorway toll scheme as proof of the European Court of Justice's (ECJ) independence. He also believes it bodes well for Slovenia's lawsuit against Croatia for its non-implementation of the 2017 border arbitration decision. Today's ruling shows that at the highest level of EU law, there is an independent judicial institution which can decide against a decision taken by a big country or against the European Commission's policies, Cerar said, speaking on the sidelines of an EU ministerial.
Opposition critical of Turkey's status downgrade
LJUBLJANA - Branko Grims, an MP for the opposition Democrats (SDS), criticised the government for a recent decision to remove Turkey from the list of safe countries of origin, arguing that this "irresponsible solo" move would have a negative impact on Slovenia and its position in the EU. He said Slovenia started unilaterally eroding the EU-Turkey agreement, which would have long-term consequences for the country's position in the EU because this was a departure from coordinated EU policies. Data available on the website of the European Commission show Slovenia is not the only EU member whose safe list does not contain Turkey.
Proposal to reform EU commissioner appointment voted down
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted down a legislative motion tabled by the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) that would give newly elected MEPs a major role in the process of appointing Slovenia's candidate for the European Commission. While the existing law stipulates that the nominee is put forward by the government at the proposal of the prime minister, the NSi wanted to make the nomination conditional on approval by at least five of Slovenia's eight MEPs. The proposal was seen as an attempt to give conservative parties a role in the process during the term of a liberal government.
Procedure under way to offload further 10% of NLB
LJUBLJANA - After selling a 65% stake in Slovenia's largest bank in an initial public offering of shares last year, the state now launched the procedure to sell a further 10% of NLB shares to qualified investors. Slovenian Sovereign Holding announced it had launched a proposed placement of up to 1,999,999 ordinary NLB shares, representing 10% of the bank's existing share capital minus one share, "by way of an accelerated bookbuild process to certain institutional investors in the form of shares and global depositary receipts representing shares". The state needs to reduce its stake to 25% plus one share under commitments given to the European Commission as it approved a EUR 1.56 billion state aid for the bank in late 2013.
Construction workers' federation urges EU Commission to investigate Slovenia
BRUSSELS, Belgium/LJUBLJANA - The European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) said it had submitted a request to the European Commission at the end of May to investigate Slovenia's regulation of temporary posting of workers to other EU members. Between 2010 and 2016, the number increased by almost 600%, said a press release. "Slovenia has built a money-spinning business model based on social fraud and worker exploitation. This is totally unacceptable and should be stopped at once," said EFBWW president Dietmar Schäfers.
EU urging Slovenia to step up its energy and climate targets
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission released the results of its assessment of member states' draft plans to implement national energy and climate strategies by 2030. It noted there was still room for improvement across the board and urged EU countries, including Slovenia, to be more ambitious in setting their targets. It specifically urged Slovenia to increase its efforts in terms of renewables, and describe in more detail ways in which it aims to meet the 2030 target.
Lawyer Rok Čeferin appointed Constitutional Court judge
LJUBLJANA - Rok Čeferin, a high-profile lawyer from one of Slovenia's best known law firms, was appointed a Constitutional Court judge, to take over at the end of September for nine years. He was endorsed in a secret ballot with 49 in favour and 32 against. Čeferin said the appointment was a great honour but also a big responsibility. He is seen as qualified for the job, but some conservatives raised concern that by advocating curbing hate speech he could undermine the freedom of speech. The opposition Democrats (SDS) said some of his statements showed that by reinterpreting the article about the freedom of speech, he could undermine the country's democratic order.
Left's defence motion rejected in parliament
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Left-sponsored proposal to give parliament more say in deploying Slovenian troops abroad was rejected in parliament in a 73:10 vote. The Left believes this would enhance transparency and the democratic nature of decision making, but Defence Minister Karl Erjavec said the government was against addressing the issue partially. It would like to discuss it as part of broader changes to the defence act. Erjavec's view was echoed by MPs from all coalition parties and two oppostion parties. However, the Left had indicated it could peg its support for Erjavec in Friday's no-confidence vote in parliament to the coalition's support for the bill.
Mojca Prelesnik reappointed information commissioner
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly reappointed Mojca Prelesnik, 50, information commissioner for another five-year term in a 45:6 vote. She will start serving her second term on 17 July. Prelesnik, who was the only candidate for the post after journalist Rajko Gerič pulled out last month, was backed by a majority of factions. She had been nominated by President Borut Pahor as a highly qualified candidate that meets all the requirements for the post.
Peter Golob new National Electoral Commission head
LJUBLJANA - Peter Golob was appointed the president of the National Electoral Commission (DVK) in a 63:0 vote in parliament. Supreme Court judge Golob, so far DVK deputy president, will take over a day after the publication of formal notification of the outcome of May's EU election in Slovenia. He will succeed long-serving Anton Gašper Frantar, who was relieved of his duties because, having turned 70, he retired as judge as of 2019.
Small businesses optimistic about challenges ahead
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The annual summit of small business, hosted by the Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS), was marked by optimism but also calls that the demands of what is the backbone of the Slovenian economy need to be met. In his address, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said the summit should be called the "summit of the core of the Slovenian economy", as small businesses make up 98% of all Slovenian companies and employ 54% of workers.
Šarec not victim of identity theft, but fake profile abuse
LJUBLJANA - PM Marjan Šarec's Facebook profile has not been hacked, however a fake profile has been created on the messaging app Messenger, Šarec's office explained after Šarec told his Facebook followers earlier in the day that his identity had been hijacked. The Ljubljana Police Department said it had not received any complaint or motion for prosecution in connection to the matter. Such acts are prosecuted only at the request of the injured party.
Elektro Ljubljana exceeds EUR 100m revenue mark in 2018
LJUBLJANA - Elektro Ljubljana, the largest of the five companies managing Slovenia's electricity distribution network, posted sales of EUR 103 million for 2018, up from roughly EUR 98 million in 2017. Net profit increased from EUR 14 million to EUR 17 million. EBITDA amounted to EUR 48m, with value added per employee, at EUR 95,000, placing the company in the top tier of Slovenia's most productive companies. Director Andrej Ribič said 2018 was its most successful business year.
SID Banka issues EUR 200 million bond
LJUBLJANA - SID Banka, the Slovenian development and export bank, said it issued a EUR 200 million bond in international markets. The funds will be invested into upgrading the economy's competitive edge and in the country's sustainable development. The bond was offered to a closed group of institutional investors, and demand surpassed EUR 290 million. 46% of the buyers were foreign investors.
Experts call for differentiation between hate speech and free speech
LJUBLJANA - The participants of a debate on hate speech urged the authorities and public to be constantly alert to instances of hate speech and report problematic content. They shared the view that hate speech should not be condoned as the freedom of speech. The debate Hate Speech - Local Responses to a Global Threat was hosted by the online complaint hotline Spletno Oko (Online Eye), which accepts anonymous complaints about online hate speech and is part of the Safer Internet Centre, coordinated by the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences.
Croatia-bound railway in SE Slovenia in for revival
NOVO MESTO - A deal was signed paving the way for the revitalisation of a 100-year-old cross-border railway infrastructure connecting Ljubljana with border towns in south-eastern Slovenia and further with Croatia. The agreement on cooperation was signed by representatives of nine Slovenian municipalities, including Ljubljana, and Croatia's Karlovac. The project will be coordinated by the Novo Mesto Development Centre. The municipalities will contribute more than EUR 100,000 for the project in the next couple of years.
Ljubljana football club on sale, talks under way with Italian businessman
LJUBLJANA - Olimpija Ljubljana, the runner up of the last Slovenian football premier league season, is reportedly in the process of being sold to an Italian businessman. According to sports paper Ekipa SN, Olimpija's chairman Milan Mandarić is looking to sell the club for at least EUR 6 million. The Serbian-American tycoon who also owned England's Portsmouth, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday in the past, bought the Ljubljana club from Slovenian banana wholesaler Izet Rastoder in 2015, reportedly for EUR 4 million. The potential new owner is Italian businessman Gabriele Nardin.
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