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This summary is provided by the STA:
Year into office, govt pledges to fight Covid on, implement coalition agreement
BRDO PRI KRANJU - PM Janez Janša pledged for the government to respond to a third wave of the coronavirus epidemic, which he said could realistically be expected, and implement key commitments in the coalition agreement, as he addressed reporters with the other coalition leaders a day before a year will have passed since his government assumed office. "If there are no major surprises, we can make up for last year's contraction in GDP this year," Janša said. He announced that apart from the fight against Covid-19, the government's key projects in the year ahead to the regular election would be de-bureaucratisation, decentralisation, tackling long-term care and reforming the public sector pay system.
Slovenia's exports down 2.8% year on year in January, imports down 8.5%
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's exports were down 2.8% year on year to EUR 2.9 billion in January and imports plunged 8.5% to EUR 2.5 billion for a surplus in external trade in goods of EUR 0.3 billion and exports-to-imports coverage of 113.7%, the Statistics Office said. The trade surplus is the result of more exports to EU countries as well as to non-member countries, with the latter contributing 10% more to the surplus. Slovenia generated almost two-thirds of January's trade with EU countries.
Slovenia not to suspend vaccination with AstraZeneca
LJUBLJANA/VELENJE - The Covid-19 vaccination advisory group of the National Public Health Institute (NIJZ) said there are currently no reasons to suspend vaccination with any of the Covid-19 vaccines, with monitoring showing that they do not cause blood clots and, if they do, this happens very rarely. Today's opinion comes after a few EU member states suspended the administration of AstraZeneca vaccine out of precaution after some vaccinated persons developed complications related to blood clots. It also comes a day after a primary school in the town of Velenje said it would be closed today because 26 teachers took sick leave due to strong reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Govt changes budget implementation act to finance army
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted on Thursday changes to the 2021 and 2022 budgets implementation act to allow for long-term financing of investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces in line with the long-term programme of army development and the mid-term defence programme. This comes after the Constitutional Court stayed in January the implementation of a new law on EUR 780 million in investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces pending a decision on the constitutionality of the legislation.
SMC staying on in govt with Počivalšek at helm
LJUBLJANA - Meeting over internal tensions for several hours yesterday, the council of the Modern Centre Party (SMC) decided the party is staying in the ruling coalition, according to party leader Zdravko Počivalšek. Coming out of the meeting, he said they had a long, open and thorough discussion, "proving we can unite on key issues". He said they has passed two decisions unanimously: to continue with constructive work in the coalition in order to implement the coalition agreement, and task him with renewing the party for the next election.
7-day average of new infections falls below 700
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia saw another 770 people test positive for coronavirus on Thursday, to push the 7-day average of new cases to 689, data released by the government show. Eight patients with Covid-19 died. Of the 5,222 PCR tests performed yesterday, 14.7% came back positive. In addition, 25,447 rapid antigen tests were performed. For Slovenia to move to a milder, yellow tier of coronavirus restrictions, the 7-day average would have to fall below 600 after Covid hospitalisations have already dropped below 500.
Vaccination strategy revised to cover vaccines for all residents
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a revised national vaccination strategy at a correspondence session to provide vaccines to all residents with permanent or temporary residence, not just to Slovenian citizens. Soldiers were added to the nine groups to be prioritised for vaccines together with police officers, while previously only soldiers leaving for missions abroad were on the priority list. What is more, the Oncology Institute in Ljubljana, the country's main cancer treatment centre, was added to the list of vaccination centres. The strategy was adopted on 3 December and first revised on 1 March.
Culture ministry responds to media freedom debate in EP
LJUBLJANA - The Culture Ministry, which is responsible for Slovenia's media police, responded to the 5 March public debate in the European Parliament on media freedom in Slovenia with an extensive response. The response says the Slovenian participants made "several incorrect claims", so the ministry wants to present the actual facts and the media situation in the country. For the sake of clarity and length, it limited the response to statements by Professor Marko Milosavljević, as the other Slovenian participants stated similar if not identical claims. The response was sent to all EU institutions, the chair of the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group Sophie in 't Veld (Renew) and its members.
Committee tightens condition to declare complex migration emergency
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Home Policy Committee okayed in second reading amendments to the act on aliens that introduce stricter conditions for residence of foreigners in Slovenia and the concept of a complex migration-related emergency. On proposal of the coalition SMC, declaring a complex emergency will require an absolute majority in parliament and not just a simple majority as originally envisaged. A complex emergency means that implementation of the international protection act could be suspended under deteriorating migration-related conditions, and access to asylum could be restricted. The committee also endorsed changes to the international protection act which tighten rules in a bid to eliminate the chance of abuse, while ensuring asylum to those who really need it.
Committee okays four-year declaration on activities in EU institutions
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary EU Affairs Committee okayed a draft declaration on Slovenia's activities in EU institutions in 2021-2024, although the opposition was critical of the document, saying that it too generalised, leaving too much room for interpretations, and that it covers too long a period. The document focuses on key political topics in the coming period, including sustainable recovery, greater resilience of the EU to new crises, the changing balance of power in the world and EU prospects of the Western Balkans. While previous declarations were limited to one year and a half, the latest one is tied to the term of the European Parliament, i.e. until 2024.
Počivalšek visits Safilo as Ormož plant is slated for closure
ORMOŽ - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek visited the Ormož-based eyewear production plant after Italian group Safilo announced it would close it in June, with almost 560 jobs to be lost. He said the owner insisted on the closure that comes after Safilo already closed two plants in Italy, but announced that the government would do everything in its power to resolve the situation. The minister said the government had enough funds at its disposal to continue implementing measures to protect jobs, and that solutions for Safilo employees would also include reassignments to other companies.
Pahor, his climate advisors urge closer cooperation with civil society
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor and his permanent advisory committee on climate policy urged the government and parliament not to fast-track the planned changes to the water act that would allow construction of production facilities using hazardous substances in water protection areas under certain condition. The release from Pahor's office also says that at the end of March, Pahor and the committee will host a conference on the national recovery and resilience plan.
Task group to discuss pay system changes with health unions, says minister
LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry will appoint a task force to launch talks with the health sector trade unions over an option of changing the pay system for health workers, Health Minister Janez Poklukar announced, noting the system should be upgraded to make health professions more attractive. Poklukar said the ministry's representatives met health sector trade unions this week to discuss healthcare challenges. A special bill to regulate health work and performance bonuses was discussed. If the two sides do not reach an agreement, Poklukar allows for a possibility of the single pay system to remain unchanged.
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