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This summary is provided by the STA:
Second stimulus package bill passed, bringing EUR 2bn loan guarantee scheme
LJUBLJANA - Parliament passed the second coronavirus stimulus package, which mainly consists of a EUR 2 billion guarantee scheme for loans to provide liquidity for companies. It also raises state funding for municipalities by around 6%. Opening the two-day emergency session, PM Janez Janša said the guarantees would suffice for the short-term, while nobody could tell if this should also be enough in the medium- and long-terms. He said the guarantees should keep companies from giving up on production that still has promise or from lay-offs in the short term. The bill comes after the first stimulus package which brought some emergency measure geared at preventing layoffs and protecting vulnerable groups. The EUR 3 billion package, passed in early April, was today amended to relax conditions and expand the list of benefit recipients by 190,000 to 1.2 million.
Govt further relaxing lockdown measures
LJUBLJANA - The government further relaxed restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus by reopening as of 29 April museums, galleries and libraries and by allowing real estate agents and chimney sweepers to resume business. As of 4 May, bars and restaurants will also be able to reopen, yet serving guests only at outdoor facilities, in what is the first easing of restrictions for the hospitality sector. Small businesses such as shoe repair shops, key cutters, clothing shops, photographers, photocopy services, watchmaker shops and jeweller's will also be among the services resuming on Monday. Wheather schools reopen is yet to be seen, but Education Minister Simona Kustec the effects and consequences of the return to schools in some European countries were being closely monitored. But she confirmed that talks were being held about 11 May as a possible date, which is also being floated in the public.
Six new Covid-19 cases recorded, death toll up by three to 86
LJUBLJANA - A total of 683 new Covid-19 tests were performed in Slovenia on Monday, resulting in six new cases to bring the total number of confirmed infections to 1,408. Three persons died of Covid-19 yesterday, brining the death toll in the country to 86. A total of 78 Covid-19 patients were in hospitals around the country yesterday, of whom 24 were in intensive care.
Logar and Pompeo discuss bilateral relations, covid-19 pandemic
LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed over the phone bilateral relations and the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The pair called for strengthening the friendly relations and the alliance between the two countries, and highlighted the importance of a close transatlantic partnership in facing the pandemic. Logar welcomed the US's stepped up efforts in Central Europe, which are also reflected in the US's active support for the Three Seas initiative. He also acquainted Pompeo with Slovenia's preparations for the country's EU presidency in the second half of 2021.
New Spanish, Polish ambassadors present credentials
LJUBLJANA - New Spanish Ambassador to Slovenia Juan Arístegui Laborde and Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Jan Olendzki handed their credentials to President Borut Pahor. The new Spanish ambassador had served as deputy permanent representative to the EU since 2015. Olendzki was director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute prior to his posting, having previously served as ambassador to Tunisia in 2008-2012.
Slovenia to accept four migrant children from Greece
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia will accept four unaccompanied minors from migration centres on Greek islands, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs announced. The condition under which they will be taken in, which he expects to happen in the second half of May, is that they are younger than ten. Slovenia expressed readiness to accept the children to show solidarity with Greece, which is fighting illegal migrations in the first front lines, Hojs told Slovenian reporters in Brussels after a video conference with his EU counterparts. The process of accepting the children is being coordinated with the Ministry of Labour, the Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
Minister sees issues with coronavirus contact tracing apps
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs argues that coronavirus contact tracing apps first needs to be very well presented to people, because it would not be effective without their trust. He sees many issues in relation to such mobile applications, which is not expected to be introduced in Slovenia any time soon. Hojs spoke to Slovenian reporters in Brussels over the phone after taking part in a video-conference of EU interior ministers on Tuesday, with coronavirus contact tracing apps being one of the topics.
Green-energy transition potential strategy after crisis, minister says
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Transition to a low-carbon society could be a key part of growth strategy in the face of the corona crisis, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec told his counterparts from the other EU members in an online informal ministerial meeting. "We must not allow this crisis to slow down our transition to a low-carbon society because activities and investments in this field may be a substantial contribution to the boosting of economic activity. This could be a key part of our growth strategy," he was cited as saying by his ministry.
Slovenia's deficit to exceed 8% in 2020
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is facing a general government deficit of 8.1% of GDP instead of a 1% surplus this year, according to changes to the budget framework made by the government. The changes to the budget decree for 2020 and 2021 that the government has forwarded to the National Assembly reflect the planned increase in budget expenditure for 2020 due to the epidemic, with the government proposing that budget expenditure be allowed to increase from EUR 10.45 billion to EUR 12.525 billion.
Gorenje planning lower layoffs than initially announced
VELENJE - Hisense Europe, the group which encompases Slovenia's Gorenje group, is planning to lay off 1,250 of its 9,310 workers in Europe. As many as 828 of these will be Gorenje workers from Slovenia. This is fewer than the initially announced 2,200 and 1,000 workers, respectively. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek nevertheless expects the management of the household appliance maker to take a step back and work with the government and trade unions in finding a viable solution. Počivalšek, speaking to the press after meeting the company's management, the Velenje deputy mayor and the in-house trade unionist, said he did not want to see any unilateral moves. "The state is willing to help in its restructuring efforts but only if we work hand in hand."
Revoz relaunches production
NOVO MESTO - Revoz, the Renault-owned car assembly plant and by far Slovenia's largest exporter, relaunched production today after shutting down due to the coronavirus epidemic on 17 March. The resumption of operations will be gradual, and workers will work in two shifts starting next week, the company told the STA, adding that preventive measures had been beefed up and additional protective gear provided for employees.
Weiler Abrasives sees revenue, net profit drop last year
MARIBOR - The abrasives and technical textile maker Weiler Abrasives generated EUR 73.5 million in sales revenue last year, about 10% less than in 2018. Net profit was accordingly lower, at EUR 300,000 or only 10% of the net profit from 2018. The company attributes the contraction to the loss of major clients in Iran which accounted for almost 10% of its revenue, the global economic slow-down, fluctuation of prices of raw materials and a new wage system.
Union calls for permanent closure of shops on Sundays
LJUBLJANA - The Trade Union of Retail called for the permanent closure of shops on Sundays. "Over this past month we have proved as a nation that Sunday shopping is not urgently needed." The union said Sunday shopping was a great burden on employees, eating into the time they could spend with their families. It also distracts the families of shoppers from spending quality time together.
Police and interior minister on opposite banks on anti-govt protests
LJUBLJANA - A day after anti-government and anti-lockdown rallies were held across the country, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs expressed expectation the police would follow his "guidelines" about tracking down the protesters through social media, indicating they breached social distancing rules. He would not accept the interior minister is but a silent observer of police actions. "It's fact that the interior minister is the one giving guidelines to the police." The police meanwhile highlighted its autonomy, noting it "does not rely upon public opinion or possible opinions of persons from the public and political arenas". Hojs's statements also upset the Information Commissioner's Office, which said they indicated Hojs perceived all protesters as potential perpetrators of criminal acts.
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