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This summary is provided by the STA:
Long-term care bill finally unveiled
LJUBLJANA - The government unveiled a long-awaited draft bill on long-term care, which envisages a full coverage of rights from mandatory insurance for long-term care. The contribution rate has been proposed at 1.47%, while the contribution for mandatory health insurance would be somewhat reduced. The bill on long-term care and long-term care insurance allows for the systems of social care, health care and long-term care to be connected, said the ministries in charge of health and social affairs. Most opposition parties welcomed the fact that Slovenia is getting long-term care legislation, but must study it first before commenting. The draft bill will be in public consultation for 45 days.
Bill proposed banning unvaccinated children from kindergartens
LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry presented a draft bill under which unvaccinated children would not be allowed to go to public kindergartens and private kindergartens co-funded by the state. Students of secondary schools and faculties teaching healthcare, education and social care would also have to vaccinated. State Secretary Tina Bregant said the changes to the communicable diseases act were meant to prevent unwarranted avoidance of vaccination while protecting public health. The bill was sent into public consultation until 30 September.
Quarantine kicks in for entry from Croatia
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia placed nine countries, including six from Europe, on the red list of countries where the risk of coronavirus is high and quarantine required for most travellers as of today. Added to the red list were Croatia, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Ukraine and Venezuela. Nevertheless, Slovenian holidaymakers will be able to return from Croatia without being ordered to quarantine until the end of the day on Monday to reduce tailbacks at border crossings. However, Health Ministry State Secretary Tina Bregant called on all those returning to self-isolate even though they will not have a formal quarantine decision.
One fatality and 38 coronavirus cases recorded on Thursday
LJUBLJANA - Following a new four-month high of 43 cases on Wednesday, Thursday's coronavirus tests confirmed 38 new infections. One person died, which raised the death toll to 130. There were 18 Covid-19 patients in hospital, but none required intensive care. The largest number of cases, nine, was again confirmed in Ljubljana, while infections were discovered in 23 more municipalities.
Pahor, Supreme Court head call for debate on rule of law
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor received Supreme Court president Damijan Florjančič, with the pair agreeing that it would be useful to hold a round-table debate on the situation related to the rule of law, especially from the aspect of cooperation between the three branches of power while respecting their independence. The meeting comes after Florjančič had sent a letter to Pahor taking issue with the communication between the three branches of power, most notably PM Janez Janša tweets. A round table debate is to be held at Presidential Palace, if possible in the first half of October.
* Protesters condemn oversight at NBI
LJUBLJANA - Some 3,000 protesters, by the organisers' estimate, gathered in Prešeren Square for the traditional Friday evening protest, this time highlighting the government's oversight of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The crowd accompanied the speeches whistling and shouting "villains". "We're letting politicians know that interfering in police and their investigations is unacceptable and illegal. The government must not only stop with such actions but also resign," said Teja Jarc of the Young Plus Trade Union. In their invitation to today's protest, the organisers had announced that they intended to insist on protests "as long as necessary".
Registered unemployment rate down slightly in June to 9.2%
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's registered unemployment rate was down 0.1 of a percentage point in June over May to 9.2%, said the Employment Service. In February, before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the rate was 7.9%. The June rate was the highest in Murska Sobota, north-east (12.9%) and the lowest in Nova Gorica, west (6.7%).
Consumer confidence up for fourth consecutive month
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's consumer confidence improved for the fourth consecutive month in August, with the relevant index going up by six percentage points compared to July. Consumer sentiment was however 17 percentage points down year-on-year and compared to the 2019 average, Statistics Office data showed. The index has been improving since April, however it is still 7 percentage points below the long-term average.
Pivovarna Laško boss calls for aid to hospitality sector
LJUBLJANA - The managing director of brewer Pivovarna Laško, Zooullis Mina, hopes the company will be able to gradually offset the 20% drop in sales caused by the coronavirus lockdown. Reducing the drop to a low double-digit figure by the end of 2020 would be a success, he said in an interview with the STA. After generating EUR 156.5 million in revenue and increasing profit by EUR 4.1 million to EUR 24.4 million last year, Pivovarna Laško saw its H1 revenue drop by 20% year-on-year as a result a nearly 100% drop in sales to the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. Echoing the Slovenian Brewers' Association, he expressed the wish for brewers to meet with government representatives to discuss additional aid measures for the economy, such as lower alcohol duties and VAT rates.
Part of Hidria management and partners successfully execute buyout
IDRIJA - The long-running battle for control of industrial conglomerate Hidria seems to have been won by the group of managers around Iztok Seljak and Dušan Lapajne. Following the takeover bid published in July by the pair together with partners, the Seljak Lapajne camp said it had managed to acquire enough shares securing it definitive majority ownership.
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