Janša and von der Leyen discuss strengthening EU resilience
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Janez Janša and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the preparations for and priorities of the upcoming Slovenia's EU presidency. Both the PM's office and von der Leyen labelled the talks as good and constructive. They focussed on ways to boost the EU's resilience, according to Janša's office.
Janša, six other EU leaders urge level playing field for nuclear energy
LJUBLJANA - Seven EU leaders, including Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, have addressed a letter to the European Commission, voicing their concern over what they see as little room for member states' individual policy making, including in nuclear energy development, left by the bloc's efforts to reach climate targets. In the letter, they highlighted that they remained fully committed to the 2030 climate target plan. However, they worry "that the path that is currently determined to achieve this goal leaves little room for internal policy making according to country specific conditions".
Slovenia's rule of law report sent to Brussels
LJUBLJANA - Unofficial information showed that Slovenia sent its contribution for the European Commission's second report on the rule of law in EU member states to Brussels. A virtual visit to Slovenia to obtain more information and clarify potential issues is scheduled for mid-April. The deadline for EU member states to submit their contributions was 8 March. The government approved the Slovenia's response to the Commission's questionnaire for the report last evening, but the content was not revealed.
Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti survives no-confidence vote
LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti survived a vote of no-confidence mounted by the centre-left opposition over several grievances, including his inaction during the epidemic and attitude to the self-employed and public media. 43 MPs voted to oust him, three fewer than needed for dismissal. The coalition was practically united in defending Simoniti's work in the debate spanning over two days, arguing the motion was groundless and a "farce". Forty MPs from the coalition SDS, NSi and SMC and from the opposition SNS and one DeSUS MP voted in favour of Simoniti, while three SMC MPs voted for his dismissal.
Number of new coronavirus cases still high on Wednesday
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus infections again exceeded one thousand on Wednesday, standing at 1,164, which is a slight drop from the day before. Hospitalisations also exceeded the 500 milestone by one patient today, while 106 needed intensive care, seven more than the day before. A total of 6,432 PCR tests were conducted on Wednesday, of which 18.1% came back positive. Another 27,645 rapid antigen tests were also performed. The rolling seven-day average of new daily cases rose from 855 to 882, the government announced on Twitter, adding that four more patients died of Covid-19.
Janša proposes meeting over third wave measures ASAP
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša has proposed that President Borut Pahor call a meeting with the heads of parliamentary parties and deputy groups with the Health Ministry and its Covid-19 advisory group as soon as possible, as the government is preparing to take additional measures by the end of the week due to a growing number of infections. Pahor called the meeting for Sunday morning, with left-leaning opposition parties indicating they would not attend. Some media have reported that the Covid-19 group could propose the government to introduce a full lockdown from 1 to 12 April.
Govt extends some stimulus measures until end of June
LJUBLJANA - The government has extended several measures aimed at helping individuals and businesses get through the epidemic. The measures would have expired at the end of the month, but have now been extended until the end of June. The furlough scheme, which expires at the end of April, has not be extended yet. Extended at Wednesday's session was the universal basic income and the partial reimbursement of a lost income for the self-employed during quarantine or inability to work due to force majeure or child care. The two measures had been in place since October and September 2020, respectively.
FinMin proposes EBA lift time limit on loan deferment
LJUBLJANA - The Ministry of Finance sent an initiative to the European Banking Authority to lift the nine-month restriction on loan payment deferment to extend the moratorium until the end of the year amid the ongoing fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministry argued the measure had proved to be a very efficient way of mitigating the impact of the pandemic on businesses and individuals. It also said many borrowers continued to be in financial distress despite other government relief measures, so it is working on potential solutions for deferment, in particular for borrowers whose operations have been hindered by the pandemic.
Rebel MPs opt out of SMC meeting
LJUBLJANA - National Assembly Speaker Igor Zorčič and head of the deputy group of the Modern Centre Party (SMC) Janja Sluga will not take part in today's session of the party council, pointing to alliances being forged by SMC leader Zdravko Počivalšek behind the scenes. Sluga and Zorčič, who have been questioning the party's position in the coalition for a while and are rumoured to be forming a faction with a rebel MP from another party, told the STA today's session was meant merely as a public spectacle. Neither Sluga nor Zorčič would say whether they were planning to quit the party or deputy group.
Former Health Minister Gantar leaves DeSUS
LJUBLJANA - Former Health Minister Tomaž Gantar left the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS). Gantar, who also served as a party vice-president, announced the decision at a session of the DeSUS executive committee. He told the STA he had been waiting for a proposal to consolidate the party, but given the developments he realised he had enough. The executive committee took note today of the fact that Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek is no longer party member after failing to step down as minister following DeSUS's exit from the coalition.
Hoteliers barely able to keep their heads above water
LJUBLJANA - Head of the Slovenian Hoteliers' Association, Gregor Jamnik, described the situation in the industry as disastrous, warning that the bulk of businesses are not generating any revenue and even though most are still able to keep their heads above water, they will need long-term state aid as the industry will not fully recover in a decade. "I cannot express how awful the situation," Jamnik, director of Hotel Slon in Ljubljana, told the STA. He noted the state was refunding only part of fixed costs, but that those who had used up all their cash during the crisis "cannot even be helped by the state".
Revoz suspends production for two days due to shortage of chips
NOVO MESTO - The Novo Mesto-based car assembly plant Revoz, owned by Renault, suspended production of all of its models for Thursday and Friday due to shortages in electronic parts or chips, which has become a global problem due to an increase in the use of electronic devices during the Covid-19 pandemic. Revoz spokesperson Nevenka Bašek Zildžović told the STA that the problem had been looming for a while, and was being tackled by the core company Renault, which has been distributing the supplies of electric parts and the new shipments it receives among individual factories.
Incoming Petrol supervisor resigns, allegedly over party affiliation
LJUBLJANA - Branko Bračko resigned from his position as a member of the supervisory board of Petrol before he was due to start his term on 11 April, following media allegations about his being a senior official of the ruling Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS). The energy company announced the supervisory board receiving Bračko's resignation letter in a regulatory filing without giving any further details. Bračko was appointed to the supervisory board at the Petrol shareholders' meeting late last year on the proposal of Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH), the state asset manager. A few days ago, the news portal Necenzurirano reported it acquired documents, photographs and information proving that Bračko had concealed the information of his party positions from SSH.
Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi wins individual World Cup event in Planica
PLANICA - Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi won the individual ski flying World Cup event in Planica, scoring 452.5 points. Germany's Markus Eisenbichler and Karl Geiger placed second (445.1 points) and third (431.2 points), respectively. The best among Slovenians was Bor Pavlovčič in fifth place. The first event of the Ski Jumping World Cup finals saw a number of favourites miss out on the final round, including the overall winner of the season Halvor Egner Granerud of Norway.
Slovenia open World Cup qualifiers with win over Croatia
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian men's football team opened the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup by defeating on Wednesday evening world champion runners-up Croatia 1:0. Sandi Lovrić scored early for Slovenia, who managed to keep the lead all the way until the final whistle. The match in Stožice Stadium was played without spectators and was actually the first win for Slovenia against the neighbouring Croatia in nine official matches they have played. "We are happy, but we will stay firmly on the ground," head coach Matjaž Kek said as the team is playing Russia in Sochi on Saturday and Cyprus in Nicosia on 30 March.
Albaugh's expansion plans challenged by NGO
RAČE - The environmental association Rovo has appealed against the Environment Agency's (ARSO) decision to allow Albaugh TKI to expand production of phytopharmaceuticals at its location in Rače in the north-east of Slovenia which it says is situated in a water protection area. The company, a subsidiary of Albaugh Europe Sarl, which is in turn part of Albaugh, LLC of the US, is planning to expand production from 5,000 tonnes to 23,248 tonnes a year. Rovo is challenging the ARSO decision by arguing the agency misapplied the waters act and had not accurately assessed the situation.
Beekeeping to be nominated for UNESCO heritage status
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is to nominate beekeeping for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with the nomination being a reflection of the wealth of the country's beekeeping tradition and is rooted in ecological, sustainable and social aspects of beekeeping, the government has announced. The nomination proposal, titled Beekeeping in Slovenia, A Way of Life, highlights the prevalence of beekeeping skills and practices that have been handed down from generation to generation.
