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:
Zorčič calls for clarity in EU enlargement to W Balkans
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Speaker Igor Zorčič hosted a meeting of parliamentary speakers from the Western Balkans, saying that the EU must give the region a clear signal on when it could expect EU accession. He noted that the "process has not only been stalled, but it has even turned into the wrong direction" and that the signals coming from the EU do not encourage trust in the enlargement process in the countries in the regions. The speakers of the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments also called for more clarity regarding the EU enlargement.
Anti-graft watchdog establishes breach of integrity by former state secretary
LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption has established a breach of integrity by former Economy Ministry State Secretary Aleš Cantarutti as part of an investigation into the procurement of personal protective equipment. It said he had signed a letter of intent, a letter of support and a registration certificate to the company HMEZAD - TNT, which would become a major supplier of masks, even though he did not have the power to do so. Cantarutti disagrees with the findings and said that he would do exactly the same thing again if needed.
Coronavirus case count broadly flat as hospitalisations rise
LJUBLJANA - Another 285 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Sunday as the week-on-week decline in new cases slowed down to just 2%, the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) reported. According to the government, hospitalisations rose further and six Covid-19 patients died. The surge in vaccination appointments following the announcement of a Covid pass mandate was short-lived, with the number of coronavirus shots delivered into arms almost halved last week, show data by the Covid tracker Covid-19.Sledilnik.org.
Slovenia's spending on coronavirus vaccination at EUR 57m
LJUBLJANA - The government has so far earmarked EUR 56.97 million for vaccination against Covid-19, of which EUR 39.79 million for the purchase of vaccines and EUR 17.17 million to organise and carry out the vaccination, the Health Ministry said. The vaccines are bought directly by the state, while the cost of vaccination services is charged by vaccination providers to the ZZZS public health fund, which then sends the bill to the Health Ministry.
MPs urged to turn down bill to deregulate pharmacy business
LJUBLJANA - Practically all pharmacy stakeholders urged MPs to vote down a bill that seeks to partly deregulate the retail pharmacy market and lift the ban on vertical integration of pharmacies and drug wholesalers. Should this not happen, pharmacists are threatening with protest closures of pharmacies and a referendum. The call by the pharmacy stakeholders comes three days before the parliamentary Health Committee is scheduled to debate the bill.
Constitutional change proposed to secure minority representation in Italian parliament
TRIESTE, Italy - Senator Tatjana Rojc, a member of the Slovenian ethnic community in Italy, has proposed an amendment to the Italian Constitution as a way of guaranteeing that the Slovenian minority is represented in the Italian parliament. She proposes amending Article 56 of the Italian Constitution to state that a law must determine ways of securing representation of the Slovenian minority in Friuli Venezia-Giulia region, Primorski Dnevnik reported.
Govt raises funding for municipalities
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a decree on Sunday, raising the lump sum which municipalities receive per resident from the state and which represents one of the main sources of local government funding. In 2022 the sum will rise from EUR 628 to EUR 645 and to EUR 647 in 2023, the Public Administration Ministry said. The amount is higher than originally proposed by the government. The agreement will cost the state an additional EUR 34 million next year.
EU Youth Conference discusses the future of Europe
MARIBOR - Some 200 representatives of young policy-makers and youth experts from all EU countries are discussing the post-Covid future of Europe at the four-day virtual EU Youth Conference, which got under way in Maribor. The conference, held by Slovenia's Office for Youth in cooperation with the National Youth Council, is the largest youth event of Slovenia's EU presidency, according to the Education Ministry. The head of the National Youth Council Miha Zupančič stressed the importance of the ninth goal today, warning about the potential fragility of some fundamental democratic values.
OECD recommends more effort towards digital governance
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia should reinforce leadership and coordination of digital governance in the public sector and enhance cooperation of various stakeholders, the OECD says it its latest digital government review for the country. The report acknowledges the effort and change Slovenia has already made, but says "more is needed to govern the digital transformation across the public sector". Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik discussed the report with senior OECD officials today.
Acting director gets full term to lead UKC Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - The council of UKC Ljubljana, Slovenia's largest hospital, endorsed acting director Jože Golobič for a full term and proposed medical director Jadranka Buturović Ponikvar stay on for another term. Golobič took over as acting director in February after Janez Poklukar left to become health minister. Government approval is required before he can formally start his four-year term. Buturović Ponikvar has been the medical director since January 2018 and was the only candidate for the post.
Jaklitsch wraps up US visit in Illinois
LEMONT, US - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch wrapped up her 11-day tour of the US on Sunday in the Chicago suburb of Lemont, where the Slovenian community built the Slovenian Catholic Cultural Centre on land owned by Slovenian Franciscans. Jaklitsch thanked the Slovenian community in the US for the exceptional role in the efforts for democratisation, independence and international recognition of Slovenia, and for their loyalty to the Slovenian language.
POP TV poll shows NSi losing most ground among parties
LJUBLJANA - Most parliamentary parties have lost ground in the latest poll commissioned by the commercial broadcaster POP TV as the ruling Democratic Party (SDS) posted its worst showing this year and its coalition partner New Slovenia (NSi) slipped back the most. The SDS remains in the lead, followed by three centre-left opposition parties.
Ombudsman proposes free testing for people who need healthcare
LJUBLJANA - The Human Rights Ombudsman proposes that the government enable rapid antigen testing for coronavirus for all users of healthcare services, who are currently obliged to meet the recovered-vaccinated-tested (PCT) rule. This would protect the system from new infections and prevent irreparable deterioration of health of individuals, the ombudsman believes.
Istrabenz Plini opens new technical gas filling station in Serbia
BELGRADE, Serbia - Istrabenz Plini Group, a Koper-based Italian-owned energy company, opened a new filling station for industrial gases and a distribution centre in Šimanovci near Belgrade last week in an investment valued at EUR 16 million. By 2023, the company plans to invest EUR 4 million more in expansion of capacities.
