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This summary is provided by the STA:
Opposition files motion of no confidence in economy minister
LJUBLJANA - Four centre-left opposition parties filed a motion of no confidence in Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, accusing him of being responsible for profiteering of individuals and companies in the purchases of personal protective equipment. The move comes after a series of media reports questioning purchasing procedures. Denying accusations levelled against him, Počivalšek said the motion was aimed at toppling the government, while welcoming it as an opportunity to set the record straight. The motion has little chance of succeeding as coalition parties indicated their support for the minister and even the opposition National Party said it would not vote for his dismissal.
Ministry rescinds controversial ventilator delivery contract
LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry decided to rescind a EUR 8 million contract with company Geneplanet for the purchase of 220 ventilators Siriusmed R30. This was proposed by Geneplanet after the ventilators came under fire as being unsuitable for Covid-19 patients. Geneplanet has already delivered 110 of these ventilators to the Commodity Reserves Agency. The ministry decided to keep 90 of them under the condition that additional equipment be delivered, which would make them suitable for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. Twenty ventilators will be returned.
Second day with no new confirmed coronavirus infections in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - None of the 616 persons tested for coronavirus on Sunday tested positive for the second consecutive day with no new confirmed infections in Slovenia. The number of all confirmed cases so far thus remains at 1,439. One more patient died of Covid-19, raising the death toll to 97. So far, 56,136 tests have been conducted in Slovenia. Saturday was the first day with no new infections since the first coronavirus infection was confirmed on 4 March.
City streets come to life as more businesses reopen
LJUBLJANA - Lockdown restrictions were eased further as stores under 400m2 outside shopping malls reopened along with bar terraces, hair salons and beauty parlours. Most museums and libraries reopened and church services resumed. Professional athletes were allowed to train again. Despite the easing, strict physical distancing sanitary measures still apply. Slovenians were very happy to be able to have their coffee at their favourite place or get a haircut with hair and beauty salons booked weeks in advance. Unlike bar terraces, clothes and footwear stores were not very busy today.
Slovenia pledges close to EUR 14m for coronavirus vaccine
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia pledged EUR 13.76 million in a global online pledging marathon supporting research into a possible vaccine and treatment for the novel coronavirus. As the EU campaign was launched on Monday donations worth more than EUR 7.4 billion were raised. The pledging conference was attended by Foreign Minister Anže Logar, who announced the country's donation.
Govt to upgrade epidemic protection plan and cyber security standards
BRDO PRI KRANJU - As the National Security Council met for a session the government decided to upgrade the national protection and rescue plan in the part pertaining to epidemics in order to address issues that may occur in the case of a possible second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic. The government will also set up uniform cyber security standards for state institutions with the 5G technology seen as an issue of national security. Digitalisation and cyber security will also be among Slovenia's priorities for the upcoming 2021 EU presidency.
Extension of aid for tourism mulled
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The government is considering extending temporary emergency aid for tourism companies. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said state financing of temporary layoffs, which expires at the end of May, could be extended by four months or even until the end of the year for the tourism sector. It would also make sense to set up a fund that would extend grants and favourable loans for the financing of current operations and investments since the industry needs to adjust to new standards, he said before a meeting of a new government advisory body for tourism.
Interior minister promises gradual reopening of checkpoints on Italian border
NOVA GORICA/KOBARID - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs visited the communities along Slovenia's western border, announcing the reopening of two border check points with Italy and discussing the possibility of reopening several others. In Nova Gorica, a town right on the border, he said that a check point in the city would reopen, and that another would reopen in Goriška Brda, the rural area north of Nova Gorica. "The border with Italy, as we knew it before the epidemic, will not be the same for a long time," the minister said.
Jurist Verica Trstenjak candidate for NLB supervisor
LJUBLJANA - Verica Trstenjak, a former advocate general at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, was put forward as a candidate for a member of the supervisory board of Slovenia's largest bank, NLB. The vote on her appointment and the re-appointment of Primož Karpe as supervisory board chairman and David Eric Simon as a supervisory board member will be taken at the shareholders' meeting on 15 June. The shareholders will also vote on the proposal to carry forward the EUR 228 million in distributable profit, and on amendments to the articles of association to allow employee representatives to the be named to the supervisory board and management.
Increase in domestic violence recorded amid Covid-19 epidemic
LJUBLJANA - Since the start of the coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia, the police have recorded a 20% increase in domestic violence compared to the same period last year, having dealt with 177 such incidents. At the same time, the number of crimes against public order has decreased. The number of issued restraining orders has been reduced as well, said Vinko Stojnšek of the Criminal Police Administration juvenile delinquency department.
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