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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Coronavirus cases in Slovenia increase to six
LJUBLJANA - The number of people confirmed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Slovenia increased to six. Health authorities confirmed that two persons had contracted the virus from the first confirmed patient, a man aged about 60, who had returned from an organised motorbike tour of Morocco via Marco Polo Airport in Venice on 29 February. About 20 persons have been identified that were in close contact with the first patient. Health officials told TV Sloveija that a man and a woman who had travelled around Italy had also tested positive. They were apparently unrelated to the Morocco group. A younger man from Štajersko also tested positive.
Tour operators in Slovenia significantly affected by coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - Several travel agencies report a significant drop in business because of the new coronavirus. The agencies organising tourist trips in Slovenia are particularly affected, while those offering trips abroad have noticed a change of tourism flows. Several tour operators said all or almost all trips for March had been cancelled. Plans for Easter and 1 May holidays are also being cancelled. Big travel agencies offering trips to other countries are not particularly affected for now.
Bill ready to subsidise businesses hurt by coronavirus
LJUBLJANA - The Labour Ministry drew up an emergency bill to subsidise companies for part of pay of workers temporarily laid off as a result of the impact of the global coronavirus outbreak, Radio Slovenija reported. Workers on furlough for up to three months would get 80% of the average pay for the past three months, of which 40% would be subsidised by the state. Companies would be eligible for the subsidy if they were forced to temporarily lay off more than half of the workforce.
Electoral reform short of needed majority
LJUBLJANA - A bipartisan bill designed to reform electoral law by abolishing electoral districts and introducing a preference vote at the level of the existing eight electoral units, fell three votes short of the needed two-thirds majority to pass at the National Assembly. The bill was put forward in response to the Constitutional Court's ruling from December 2018 that gave parliament two years to re-establish the one-person-one-vote rule, distorted by the varying sizes of electoral districts.
Zorčič appointed speaker of parliament
LJUBLJANA - Igor Zorčič, former deputy group leader of the Modern Centre Party (SMC), was elected parliamentary speaker by secret ballot in a 48:29 vote. He will succeed Social Democrat (SD) leader Dejan Židan, who stepped down as soon as Janez Janša was elected prime minister, to become the 14th speaker of the National Assembly. Zorčič pledged to build parliamentary democracy in the next two years in cooperation with all MPs.
Outgoing PM denies political staffing for EU presidency
LJUBLJANA - Marjan Šarec, the outgoing prime minister, denied allegation that his caretaker government was involved in politically-motivated staffing after government departments issued short-notice calls for applications to fill posts for Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU. "This is a technical procedure and no political staffing whatsoever," Šarec told reporters, adding that the application process had been ongoing and that the posts were being filled now because the staff would need to undergo training.
Conscription reintroduction proposal defeated
LJUBLJANA - A proposal to reintroduce mandatory military service tabled by the incoming ruling Democrats (SDS) was defeated in parliament in a 36:51 vote. Apart from the SDS, the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and National Party (SNS) were in favour of the proposal, but failed to convince the others. The Modern Centre Party (SMC) and New Slovenia (NSi), the two of the four parties forming the new SDS-led coalition, did not back the bill, same as the newly-formed opposition.
Govt endorses climate fund allocations through 2023
LJUBLJANA - The caretaker government endorsed a scheme for drawing funds from the national climate fund in 2020-2023. Some EUR 350 million is projected to be available. A total of EUR 106.3 million is to be allocated for tackling climate change this year, EUR 109.6 million in 2021, EUR 70.2 million in 2022 and EUR 63.9 million in 2023. The measures eligible for funding range from the promotion of green mobility to awareness raising and R&D.
Environmental protection programme passed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed the national environmental protection programme for the period until 2030, whose implementation will cost an estimated 47 million to 53 million euro a year. The document sets out goals within three areas: protecting, preserving and improving the state of natural resources, a low-carbon society, and dealing with key environmental risks. MPs criticised the document for being lacking on concrete targets.
Manager Association proposes gender-balanced corporate boards
LJUBLJANA - The Manager Association presented a bill demanding balanced representation of both genders on the supervisory and management boards of companies. In line with the proposal, a three-member supervisory board would have to have at least 33% members of the under-represented gender. On a supervisory board with four or more members the share would have to be at least 40%. The association is also pushing for compulsory rules requiring companies to adopt a gender diversity policy and says the Economy Ministry supports the motion in principle.
Statute of limitations for sexual offences extended
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously endorsed amendments to the penal code to extend the statute of limitations for gravest sexual offences to between 30 and 90 years, up from between 10 and 30 years under the current law. The amendments were proposed by New Slovenia (NSi). Parliament also endorsed an amendment to the property code law in a 47:37 vote to introduce a new definition of animals - they are no longer things, but sentient living beings.
Nazi collaborator verdict annulment goes to top court
LJUBLJANA - The Association of WWII Veterans, the Jewish Community in Slovenia and six victims of the WWII Home Guard militia have petitioned the Constitutional Court to review the recent decision of the Supreme Court to annual the 1946 treason verdict of Leon Rupnik, a Nazi collaborationist general.
They argue the Supreme Court's decision to order a retrial was a grave interference in their dignity, right to safety and a violation of international standards and treaties Slovenia must comply with.
Slovenia nearing EU average in GDP per capita
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenia's per capita GDP in purchasing power standards reached 87% of the EU average in 2018, up two percentage points on 2017. GDP per capita is a key criterion for eligibility for EU structural funds. The improvement means the country may see an even bigger drop in the amount of cohesion funds it will have available in the 2021-2027 financial framework.
Safety concerns as waste management firm shut down
VRHNIKA - Kemis, one of the two biggest hazardous waste management companies in Slovenia, was cut off power supply on Wednesday after building authorities found that much of the facility near Vrhnika had been rebuilt illegally following a May 2017 fire. There are 800 tonnes of waste, of which 70% hazardous, still at the facility. Kemis called the decision irrational, expressing concern about the risk of fire. The facility treats more than 25% of the nation's waste.
Pipistrel to produce electric aircraft for Australia
AJDOVŠČINA - The Slovenian ultralight aircraft maker Pipistrel signed a letter of intent with Australian company Eyre to There Aviation for the production of the electric two-seaters Alpha Electro. In the first phase 15 aircraft are to be exported to Australia, later the aircraft would be produced there. Eyre to There would thus become the first producer of electric planes in Australia. It could produce up to a hundred planes a year, Pipistrel told the STA.
Slovenia, Bled win sustainable tourism awards
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's national programme for sustainable development of tourism and the lakeside resort of Bled are among this year's recipients of the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards. The Slovenian Tourist Board won the Best of Europe category for introducing sustainable models in tourism at the national level as part of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. Bled placed third in the ITB Earth Award category with its campaign to reduce waste.
Red Dawns focuses on connecting all collectives fighting for equality
LJUBLJANA - An exhibition exploring feminist themes in the post-Yugoslav era at Alkatraz Gallery in Ljubljana's Metelkova centre launched the feminist and queer festival Red Dawns. The festival will focus on connecting different collectives, both domestic and international, which are fighting for equality.
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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