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This summary is provided by the STA:
Motion of no confidence in government fails
LJUBLJANA - The Janez Janša government survived a motion of no confidence as only 40 MP voted in favour in a secret ballot, six too few. There were seven votes against and six invalid ballots; the majority of coalition MPs did not pick up the ballots. The motion was filed by five centre-left opposition parties, which nominated Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) leader Karl Erjavec for prime minister. The day-long debate saw the centre-left opposition argue that this was about a democratic Slovenia versus a slide into autocracy under Janša. The coalition highlighted the government's achievement in a difficult period. Janša said after the vote that the National Assembly had finally done the tallying and determined that not even all members of the Constitutional Arch Coalition (KUL) were in favour of the motion, adding the hashtag "meagre40".
244 new infections confirmed on Sunday, 11 patients die
LJUBLJANA - A total of 1,274 coronavirus tests were performed in Slovenia on Sunday, resulting in 244 positive cases, for a positivity rate of 19.2%. The number of hospitalised patients dropped to 738, as did the number of patients in intensive care, to 135, the latest data from the government shows. Another 11 Covid-19 patients died yesterday, which is one fewer than on Saturday. The latest epidemiological data put the 14-day incidence at 609.7 cases per 100,000 residents.
Slovenia expects 38,000 doses of vaccine this week, updates strategy
LJUBLJANA - The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) expects new batches of Covid-19 vaccines this week, consisting of 21,060 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and 16,800 of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The NIJZ also updated the national vaccination strategy after a large chunk of over 85-year-olds has been vaccinated. The priority groups now are medical staff, employees and residents of care homes, people aged over 80, those over 75 and then those over 70.
Govt proposes public sector payment system changes
LJUBLJANA - The government unveiled a preliminary proposal for the overhaul of the public sector pay system. The sector is to be split into two groups. The first group would include departments and organisations solely dependent on the budget, which would be subjected to a binding set of rules of a centrally-led payment system. The second group would include those also funded by other sources, which would get more freedom in setting pay. The heads of both major public sector union associations said the division to two groups would undermine the entire pay system.
Slovenian military getting new, hi-tech wear and equipment
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian army will spend nearly EUR 8.5 million on new equipment, including underwear, boots, uniforms, backpacks and sleeping bags, in the next two years, the Defence Ministry said. The objective is to get new, more functional and lighter equipment. Some equipment has already been tested and is the best the commercial market has to offer, Colonel Anže Rode said.
Four bids received for spectrum auction
LJUBLJANA - The Agency for Communication Networks and Services (AKOS) received four bids for wireless spectrum, including bands set aside for 5G mobile networks. The bidders and their offers remain anonymous until the auction, which is scheduled for March or April. Spectrum in the 700 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3600 MHz and 26 GHz bands will be auctioned.
Average net wage up by almost 7% last year
LJUBLJANA - The average monthly wage in Slovenia in 2020 reached EUR 1,856.20 gross, which is 5.8% more than in 2019 nominally and 5.9% higher in real terms. The average net wage was EUR 1,208.65 or 6.6% and 6.7% higher nominally and in real terms, respectively, the Statistics Office reported. The average gross wage in 2020 was higher both in the private sector (+4.4%) and the public sector (+7.8%) compared to the year before.
Value of construction work up 0.4% year-on-year in 2020
LJUBLJANA - Despite the Covid-19 epidemic, the value of construction work in Slovenia was up by 0.4% last year. The value of construction works on buildings was lower by 3.3%, as the work on residential buildings was up by 14.8% and work on non-residential buildings down by 9.4%. The value of construction work on civil engineering structures was up by 2.4%
Theatre producer Nevenka Koprivšek dies
LJUBLJANA - Nevenka Koprivšek, a major player on the Slovenian scene of performing arts, died suddenly at the age of 61 on Sunday. The actress and theatre producer in 1989 she became the first woman artistic director of Glej, an alternative Ljubljana theatre group, and she is credited with opening it up to international audiences. In 1997, she founded Bunker and she was also the director of the Young Lions festival.
Wood architecture on display in Tivoli Park
LJUBLJANA - A variety of buildings made of wood or with wood has been put on display at Jakopič Promenade in Ljubljana's Tivoli Park. Dubbed Wood Architecture Today for Tomorrow, it features an innovative, sustainable and inspirational use of wood in construction on 80 panels until the end of April.
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