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This summary is provided by the STA:
PM defends budget as prudent
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša acknowledged the planned budget deficit for this year, at roughly EUR 4.2 billion, was high, but he told parliament the spending was prudent and positioned the Slovenian economy for a recovery. "For probably the first time in the history of this country, the government can explain to within an euro what these funds have been and will be used for," he said at the outset of a two-day debate on the supplementary budget, which was slammed by the opposition. Revenue is projected at EUR 9.19 billion and expenditure at EUR 13.39 billion, with a deficit of 9.3% of GDP.
Pahor reiterates commitment to multilateral cooperation
NEW YORK, US - President Borut Pahor reiterated Slovenia's commitment to multilateral cooperation in the framework of the United Nations and other international and regional organisations, as he delivered a video address to a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the organisation on Monday. "It is essential that we build our progress on the foundations of the respect for human rights, international law and rule of law, and on a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable development of our societies," he said.
Ministers discuss priorities of EU presidency in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj and Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik visited Brussels for talks with EU commissioners and Slovenian MEPs as part of preparations for Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021. Cigler Kralj announced efforts to ensure a responsive labour market and quality elderly care would be the presidency's social affairs priorities, while Koritnik noted a focus on artificial intelligence and digitalisation. He also expressed disappointment with the EU's failure to develop a common coronavirus contact tracing app.
Unity deemed key in Brexit talks
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Foreign Ministry State Secretary Gašper Dovžan stressed the importance of member states remaining united in conducting Brexit negotiations with the UK as he attended a meeting of EU affairs ministers in Brussels. He warned that the internal market bill was a grave violation of the UK's requirements stemming from the Brexit agreement.
88 new coronavirus infections recorded in 2,335 tests
LJUBLJANA - A total of 2,335 tests for the novel coronavirus were performed in Slovenia on Monday, resulting in 88 new cases, show the latest data from the government. The number of hospitalised patients was up by one to 71, while the number of those requiring intensive care stayed at 13. Eight Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospital yesterday. There were no deaths, with the death toll remaining at 142. A total of 4,558 cases have been confirmed so far in Slovenia in 203,647 tests.
Minister under fire over masks
LJUBLJANA - Education Minister Simona Kustec came under fire for appearing at a sports gala on Monday evening at which the guests were not wearing masks. This was as stricter rules on wearing masks in schools came into force and amid escalating political debates about coronavirus measures. The charity event was organised by the Slovenian Olympic Committee, featuring top Slovenian sports officials and business executives. Opposition parties as well the teachers' trade union called on the minister to step down. Kustec apologised and said she would get tested for Covid-19 out of precaution.
About 60% of Slovenians to be vaccinated against Covid-19
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Tomaž Gantar expects that about 60% of Slovenia's population or about 1.2 million people are expected to get vaccinated against Covid-19 when a vaccine becomes available. Gantar, responding to a deputy question on Monday, cited an internal survey showing that about 55% of employees and 69% of residents of care homes expressed the desire to be vaccinated. About 60% of people are also expected to get vaccinated in the EU.
Brussels clears concentration of Fortenova and Mercator
BRUSSELS,Belgium/LJUBLJANA - The European Commission gave Croatia's Fortenova a concentration approval to transfer the Slovenian retailer Mercator from insolvent Agrokor, which still needs an approval from Mercator bank creditors and the Serbian anti-trust watchdog. Fabris Peruško, CEO of Fortenova Group, expects the approval from the Serbian Commission will follow shortly, so the transfer could be carried out by the end of the year. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek suggested the state would not oppose the transfer, provided agreement is reached with Slovenian suppliers of Mercator.
NGOs urge against giving in to pressure of oil and gas company Ascent
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian NGOs warned against the country caving in to the pressure of UK-based company Ascent Resources, which had announced a lawsuit against Slovenia over its insistence on an environmental impact assessment for a hydraulic fracturing project. They warned against the effects of fracking on the environment and people's health and highlighted the dangers of the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism.
Consumer confidence down slightly in September
LJUBLJANA - After going up for four months, consumer confidence in Slovenia lost one percentage point in September to 8 points below the long-term average. The Statistics Office said the confidence indicator was down because of pessimistic expectations about households' finances and savings (down by 5 and 3 percentage points, respectively). On the other hand, consumers were more optimistic about jobs and the country's economic outlook, with respective indicators up by 2 and 1 percentage points.
Concern about physical efficiency of children post-lockdown
LJUBLJANA - A study conducted at more than 100 primary schools in May and June shows that reduced physical activity of children during the Covid-19 lockdown has had a profound impact on children's physical fitness. The share of children with high physical efficiency is the lowest ever since the first such measurements were conducted and the share of overweight children rose more than in the 2003-2007 period when childhood obesity was on the rise.
Writers' Meeting reflecting on creativity in coronatime, exile
BLED - The International PEN Writers' Meeting opened in Bled to delve into issues of particular concern during coronatimes: literature in exile, violence in literary works and artistic creativity in response to the coronacrisis. Running until Saturday, it will feature three roundtable debates on Thursday and Friday, a session of the management board of the International Writers for Peace Committee on Tuesday and a meeting of Mira, the women's committee at the Slovenian PEN Centre on Wednesday.
Cartier-Bresson's photos of 20th century icons on show in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - An unique exhibition of portraits by famous French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson went on show at Ljubljana's Cankarjev Dom. After hosting a retrospective exhibition of Cartier-Bresson's work in 2002, Cankarjev Dom is now showcasing 100 photographic portraits dubbed Tête à Tête in cooperation with the artist's foundation HBC. Cartier-Bresson selected the pieces himself and the exhibition has so far been displayed only a few times. It is open until 31 January.
Ljubljana turns into City of Women
LJUBLJANA - The City of Women international festival of contemporary arts got under way in Ljubljana with the launch of an exhibition of posters around the city of 50 Slovenian women who pushed the boundaries. The opening day also saw the first screening in a segment dedicated to actress Delphine Seyrig. Running in a stretched-out format until 12 October, the festival will feature over 80 women artists, lecturers, curators and activists.
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