Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
This summary is provided by the STA:
Military investment act cleared by Constitutional Court
LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has cleared an act securing EUR 780 million in investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) until 2026 as well as parliament's decision not to allow a referendum on the act sought by the centre-left opposition. In a decision passed by five votes to four, the court found the National Assembly and the government have reasonably grounded the urgency of the investments and that the decision not to allow the referendum was justified. Defence Minister Matej Tonin welcomed the court's decision as being in the interest of the state. The Left said it respected the decision but planned to keep a close eye on military procurement.
Constitutional Court stays ban on public gatherings
LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has stayed the implementation of a government decree that temporarily bans public gatherings and events arguing that a new decree should be adopted with due consideration of the right to gatherings being a fundamental human right. It said any new ban must take into account not only the human rights aspect but also the fact that gatherings are an important means of expressing political positions. The stay does not enter into force until 18 April, when the current decree expires.
Coalition closing ranks to implement key projects
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The coalition closed ranks at a meeting of coalition leaders and a representative of the opposition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS). Despite holding only 38 seats in the 90-member National Assembly, it is optimistic that it will finish its term and carry out its priority projects. New Slovenia (NSi) said the coalition would implement its key projects, including the demographic fund, long-term care act, debureaucratisation, tax reform and digital strategy.
Portal releases non-paper on changes to W Balkan borders
LJUBLJANA - The online portal Necenzurirano has published a non-paper proposing changes to borders in the Western Balkans that has been raising controversy in recent days. Its authorship remains unclear. "Some information indicates that part of the content has been written in Budapest. Nevertheless, it is referred to in Brussels diplomatic circles as a 'Slovenian' non-paper as allegedly the Janša office has been involved in its mailing to various addresses," writes the portal.
Sputnik and Johnson & Johnson jabs added to quarantine-free border pass
LJUBLJANA - The government has made several changes to border restrictions, including to expand the exceptions for quarantine-free entry into Slovenia to people vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik V and the US Johnson & Johnson jabs against Covid-19, provided they have received the first dose at least 21 days ago. Quarantine- or test-free entry is already possible for those producing certificates proving they have been inoculated with Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines.
Number of new coronavirus infections drops on Wednesday
LJUBLJANA - The number of new infections dropped both in daily and weekly comparison in Slovenia on Wednesday. A total of 891 new cases were confirmed in 4,278 PCR and 24,242 rapid tests, while a week ago the figure was 1,527. Seven patients died. The rolling 7-day daily average dropped from 1,021 to 931 yesterday, which means the country now meets the criteria for the orange tier of restrictions.
Trade union calls for full reopening of hospitality sector
LJUBLJANA - Although the hospitality sector has been eagerly awaiting at least a partial reopening, it is not happy with the government's decision to reopen only outdoor facilities in eight of Slovenia's 12 regions with the best epidemiological situation. If restaurants and hotels can be open for politicians, business meetings and sport events, they should open for all so that hospitality workers can work and live off their pay, the union said.
Govt secures one-off allowance for the unemployed
LJUBLJANA - More than 10,000 unemployed who have lost their job since the coronavirus epidemic was first declared in the country over a year ago will receive a one-off solidarity allowance of EUR 150 under a decision taken by the government on Wednesday. According to a press release issued after the session, the government secured EUR 1.51 million for the first payment of the allowance by relocating funds within the financial plan of the Ministry of Labour.
Govt adopts military service law changes
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the act on service in the Slovenian armed forces, aiming to address long-standing issues pertaining to labour regulations. The most burning issue addressed in the changes are off-days for soldiers deployed in missions abroad. Many soldiers have taken the Defence Ministry to Labour Court because they had not been able to take weekly days off during deployment. The changes are expected to cost an additional EUR 6 million annually.
Simoniti discusses media freedom, STA with CoE commissioner
LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti held an online talk with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović on Wednesday to discuss media freedom and the freedom of expression, the Culture Ministry said. The pair also discussed the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and proposed changes to the media legislation. According to the ministry, Simoniti assured the commissioner that the Slovenian government thinks media freedom is crucial.
Youth and digitalisation in focus of Adriatic-Ionian conference
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor said the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative was an important leverage of regional cooperation and European integration of Western Balkan countries as he addressed the 17th conference of parliamentary speakers from the group of 10 countries as part of Slovenia's presidency of the initiative. He noted the epidemic had narrow down the youth's options for full-fledged activities, enhancing a feeling of hopelessness. This could speed up young people's emigration, a problem encountered by most countries in the Adriatic and Ionian region, he warned.
Commission urges govt to address homelessness
LJUBLJANA - Convening an emergency session, the parliamentary Commission for Petitions, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities got acquainted on Wednesday with the issue of homelessness during the epidemic. The commission urged the government to prepare a national programme resolution by the end of the year to address homelessness. Homeless people suffer from social exclusion and they are denied access to numerous rights, Miha Kordiš of the Left said, noting that since the start of the epidemic many of them had been without access to drinking water or protective personal equipment (PPE), among other things.
Demographic Office launch postponed to 15 July
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The government decided to postpone the launch of the Government Office for Demographic Affairs by another three months, to 15 July 2021. The specialised institution designed to address demographic challenges was to be launched on 15 January, which was first postponed to 15 April and now to 15 July.
February pay down on monthly level, up annually
LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in Slovenia in February stood at EUR 1,946, down 1.6% nominally and 1.9% in real terms on January. Totalling EUR 1,254, the average net pay was also down - by 1.2% in nominal terms and 1.5% in real terms, the Statistics Office said on Thursday. Those working in healthcare and social care received the highest pay.
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
