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This summary is provided by the STA:
Dejan Židan resigns as SocDems president
LJUBLJANA - The opposition SocDems announced on Twitter that Dejan Židan was resigning as the party's leader. SD vice-president Tanja Fajon, an MEP, will run the party for the time being. Židan said that the party had progressed in the last six years and that it was time to ask what steps it could make in order to grow into a leading party. He said being replaced by Fajon was one of the options, which is why he asked her to take over. The deputy group and the party's leadership were unanimous in supporting the proposal. Fajon, who is convinced that the SD can do more, said she wanted to inspire trust as there was much distrust, apathy and dissatisfaction among people and to create policies together with citizens, including marginalised civil society groups.
Slovenia and Hungary open border for their citizens
DOLGA VAS - Slovenia and Hungary lifted restrictions on the crossing of state border for the citizens of both countries based on a favourable epidemiological situation in both countries. The announcement came after talks between the Slovenian and Hungarian foreign ministers, Anže Logar and Peter Szijjarto. The ministers assessed that Slovenia and Hungary are among the EU countries which have been the most successful in dealing with Covid-19, and called for the reopening of borders in the region as soon as possible. Logar said the agreement reached today was an important diplomatic achievement. Szijjarto said the pandemic had shown how closely countries in central Europe were connected, especially neighbouring countries.
Major easing of restrictions announced for Monday
LJUBLJANA - Major easing of restrictions has been announced for 1 June as all tourism facilities will be allowed to reopen, and gatherings of up to 200 people will be allowed again. Gyms and spas will reopen as well, government spokesman Jelko Kacin announced. After reopening tourist accommodation with up to 30 rooms on 18 May, all hotels regardless of their size as well as spas, health centres, gyms and pools will be able to reopen next month. Only night clubs and discotheques remain closed. Shops too will remain closed on Sundays and holidays.
Primary schools to fully reopen next week
LJUBLJANA - Fourth and fifth graders will return to school on Monday, the first day when the Covid-19 epidemic will no longer be in place. Those in grades six, seven and eight will return on Wednesday, Education Minister Simona Kustec announced. This represents a full reopening of primary schools after children in the first three grades returned to classrooms on 18 May and those in ninth grade this week. Children will no longer be split into smaller groups and they will not have to wear masks, bit distancing measures will still have to be observed. Secondary schools will remain closed until the end of the school year.
Masks no longer mandatory, still recommended
LJUBLJANA - Wearing of face masks in closed public spaces is no longer mandatory in Slovenia, but it is still recommended. "The wearing of face masks is not an obligation, it is a recommendation designed to protect ourselves ... and to prevent transmission," National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ)director Milan Krek said. In fact, masks have not been obligatory since 18 May, when a new government decree that allowed the gathering of up to 50 people in public entered into effect. It is just that nobody appeared to have noticed that the obligation was extinguished since the decree overrode the decree that made masks mandatory.
President, speaker urge reform of electoral law by December
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor and Speaker Igor Zorčič met on Thursday to discuss the required reform of the electoral law, urging all stakeholders to find a solution to implement the relevant decision of the Constitutional Court by December. Pahor said he would like to address the National Assembly about the issue in June. The meeting comes after the heads of parliamentary deputy groups and Zorčič agreed yesterday to leave it to the relevant ministry to draft proposals for redistricting.
Coalition proposes cooperation agreement with opposition
LJUBLJANA - The coalition has offered the opposition a partnership agreement in a bid to facilitate the adoption of measures to help the economy recover from the coronavirus crisis and carry out systemic reforms. The coalition is "sending the opposition an invitation to cooperate ... The hand has been offered," Prime Minister Janez Janša said on Twitter. The partnership would give opposition parties a role in the drafting of pre-agreed legislation prior to bills being adopted; in exchange they would strive to make sure their MPs vote in favour of these bills.
President's adviser named Slovenia's member of Venice Commission
LJUBLJANA - Ernest Petrič, a seasoned diplomat and former Constitutional Court judge who is currently an adviser to President Borut Pahor, has been named Slovenia's member of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, for a four-year term. Verica Trstenjak, a law professor who is currently one of the Slovenian members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was named as substitute member, the Government Communication Office said
Committee nods to third stimulus package after two night sessions
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Labour Committee okayed in the small hours of Thursday the EUR 1 billion third stimulus package, which provides a short-time work scheme and support to the tourism sector, primarily in the form of tourist vouchers for all residents. It also brings an extension of the construction act changes softening environmental safeguards, including by significantly reducing the number of NGOs which will be able to challenge environmental permits.
Two new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, no new deaths
LJUBLJANA - After conducting 631 coronavirus tests, two new coronavirus infections were confirmed in Slovenia on Wednesday in what was a second day of the daily case count exceeding one after two weeks of zero or one infections per day. No new Covid-19 fatalities were reported, show the latest official data. The total of confirmed infections has thus risen to 1,473. The national death toll has remained at 108. Seven Covid-19 patients remain in hospital care.
Debate hears EU recovery plan a turning point, fast deal needed
LJUBLJANA - A debate on the next EU budget saw participants point out that the European Commission's recovery plan was a turning point, without it the European single market could be jeopardised. They also agreed that a quick agreement by member states is necessary. The online debate hosted by the European Commission Representation in Slovenia and the STA featured European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič, economist Mojmir Mrak and MEP Ljudmila Novak (EPP/NSi).
Slovenia to request PPE and medical equipment from EU Civil Protection Mechanism
LJUBLJANA - The government decided to ask for international aid in the form of personal protective equipment and medical equipment from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The decision was made at the proposal of the Defence Ministry, the government said in a press release after its session.
SID bank secures EUR 350 million in loans, insurance deals
LJUBLJANA - The SID Banka export and development bank has secured EUR 200 million in liquidity loans and another EUR 150 million in insurance and re-insurance deals to sole traders, SMEs and big companies as well as cooperatives during the Covid-19 epidemic. The state-owned bank is already in talks with relevant ministries on increasing quotas to enable further favourable liquidity financing of companies.
Mercator reports EUR 1.1m net profit for Q1, revenue up 10.8%
LJUBLJANA - The retail group Mercator generated EUR 1.1 million in net profit in the first quarter of 2020 after a net loss of EUR 3.7 million in the same period last year. Revenue increased by 10.8% to top EUR 530.48 million. CEO Tomislav Čizmić attributes the positive trends to the successful implementation of the business strategy of differentiation, and initiatives for making operations more efficient on all markets.
New plan for Ljubljana passenger terminal coming
LJUBLJANA - The government revoked a 2007 decree on a public-private partnership for a new bus and train terminal in Ljubljana. The decision means the project can be split up into a commercial project and a public investment. Under the government decree, the Infrastructure Ministry has 30 days to present information about how to proceed with the project, both technically and financially.
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