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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša accuses Brussels of exceeding powers over rule of law
BRDO PRI KRANJU - PM Janez Janša accused the European Commission of exceeding its powers and of political abuse of the rule of law in an interview with Euronews, saying in its efforts to get member states to comply with the EU's fundamental values the Commission is "close to breaking the rule of law" itself. He said that while the European Parliament was a political body, the European Commission should under the EU treaty stay out of political battles. Janša also took aim at Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova, who alongside Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, has become the most public face of the Commission's effort to ensure compliance with the rule of law.
Govt decides to repeat call for delegated prosecutors again
LJUBLJANA/LUXEMBOURG - After a court reversed its decision to annul the original procedure to appoint Slovenia's two European delegated prosecutors, the government has asked the Justice Ministry publish yet a new call for applications for the two posts. Under the court's decision, the government was supposed to re-visit its decision. However, the government decided that the court's decision could not be implemented as the procedure it was supposed to re-examine had been concluded with the publication of a new call for applications on 9 July. Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič said that it was in the ministry's interest to "complete the procedure as soon as possible based on the valid legislation." European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said the Commission was "waiting for a clear explanations"
Police union calls for independent probe as chief defends clampdown on protest
LJUBLJANA - The SPS police trade unions called on the human rights ombudsman to open an inquiry into the clampdown on Tuesday's protest in Ljubljana, while the police commissioner defended the action, denying allegations of political interference in the force's decisions. One of the two unions representing police officers would like the inquiry to look into whether orders from superiors on how officers should handle the protest had been lawful and based on expertise. Commissioner Anton Olaj denied the allegation in the strongest terms as he spoke for the late news show on TV Slovenija on Wednesday.
Police search premises of protest leader Stevanović
LJUBLJANA/KRANJ - The home of Zoran Stevanović, one of the principal initiators of protests against the Covid pass mandate, and the headquarters of his party Resni.ca (Truth) were searched after Stevanović was detained by police after Tuesday's riots on suspicion of incitement to resistance. The investigators, along with Stevanović and his lawyer, left the building after an hour and a half. The police explained to the STA that they were unable to disclose precise information due to the protection of personal data. However, they did confirm that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) carried out two house searches.
Govt adopts border management strategy
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted an integrated border management (IBM) strategy to better manage illegal migrations. The strategy is binding for all EU member states under the EU law, the government said after its session. The document aims to contain illegal migration on Slovenia's EU external and internal borders and to effectively implement bilateral agreement on return of migrants. It is to ensure fast movement of people and goods at border crossings while taking into account all measures for, and standards of, effective border control.
Budgets for 2022, 2023 investment-focused
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša highlighted record annual investments in excess of EUR 2 billion as he presented the budgets for 2022 and 2023 at the National Assembly. For healthcare investments alone over EUR 200 million is budgeted each year. "In two years more money will be spent on healthcare investment than had been used in the entire previous decade," he said. Significant funding has also been set aside for road and rain infrastructure, flood defence, water supply, education, care homes, sports, culture, science and digital connectivity. The opposition boycotted the session in protest against the government and called on Janša to step down.
Committee okays bill on organisation in police force
LJUBLJANA - The Home Policy Committee endorsed on Wednesday amendments to the act governing the organisation of the police force, which would set out in more detail the status and work of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the way to determine which investigations into suspected crimes are launched by the bureau. While the opposition fears that the amendments pave the way for politicisation of the police, the coalition said they will improve performance.
Home policy committee seeks report on work of prosecution
LJUBLJANA - The Justice Committee discussed actions of prosecutors in some high-profile cases which the ruling Democrats (SDS) party deems questionable. It adopted resolutions asking the Supreme State Prosecution to draw up a report on how rules for awarding cases to prosecutors are implemented, and demanded a a report on the oversights conducted at the Specialised State Prosecution in the last five years. The centre-left opposition walked out in protest. Representatives of prosecutors refused to attend the session, invoking independence of the judiciary from the executive branch.
Vizjak hails EU adopting joint position for COP26 conference
LUXEMBOURG - EU environment ministers adopted on Wednesday a joint EU position for the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, which includes an agreement on a five-year time frame. "For the first time in many years the European delegation is going to the climate conference with a clear position on time frames," Slovenia's Andrej Vizjak said. He added that consensus had been reached about the only remaining open issue - the time frames as one of the fundamental pillars supporting the goals of the Paris climate accord.
Slovenia slips in energy trilemma index, still in top 20
LONDON, UK - Slovenia slipped three places in the World Energy Council's latest energy trilemma index to rank 17th among 127 countries, behind the Netherlands and ahead of Australia. The World Energy Council evaluates countries' energy systems through three dimensions: energy security, energy equity (accessibility and affordability) and environmental sustainability, with grade A being the best. Slovenia scored 75 points, after getting 69 points for energy security, 84 points for energy equity and 73 on energy sustainability.
Slow week-on-week decline in Covid cases persists
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 968 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday in what continues to be a slight week-on-week decline. Hospitalisations increased from 400 to 413 this morning compared to the day before, whereas the number of patients requiring intensive care stayed level at 114. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents dropped by two to 564. Three Covid-19 patients died.
Slovenia and Kosovo agree cooperation in disaster prevention
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Defence Minister Matej Tonin and Kosovo's Interior Minister Xhelal Sfecla signed an agreement on cooperation between the two countries in the protection against natural and other disasters, the Defence Ministry announced. The agreement sets out the framework for cooperation in disaster prevention and preparedness, voluntary mutual assistance in the event of disasters on the territory of one of the signatory countries, and other forms of cooperation.
Petrovič nominated to European Court of Auditors
LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed Jorg Kristijan Petrovič as Slovenia's candidate for member of the European Court of Auditors to succeed Samo Jereb, whose term at the Luxembourg curt expires on 6 May 2022. Kristijan Petrovič has been the first deputy president of the Slovenian Court of Audit since 2013.
ZSSS highlights issues of platform workers on decent work day
LJUBLJANA - On the occasion of the World Day for Decent Work, Slovenia's largest trade union association, ZSSS, drew attention to platform workers - cleaners, food delivery persons, care workers and others as a group who often lacks any worker or social rights. It urged the Labour Ministry to introduce a legislative framework to prevent unfair practices and introduce a set of general conditions to protect platform workers.
Ex-DG of public broadcaster bidding for STA director
LJUBLJANA - Igor Kadunc, a former director general of the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, confirmed he has applied for the post of director of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), as the sole applicant. He said he applied because he assessed that no experienced manager would apply, because the STA faced an uncertain future and because of the very demanding requirements in the call, including 10 years of work experience in the media.
Criminal complaints filed against nine over illegal sewage sludge dumping
CELJE - The Celje police filed criminal complaints against nine persons over suspicion of polluting the environment while illegally dumping more than 500 tonnes of sewage sludge from waste water treatment plants at four locations in Slovenia earlier this year. If found guilty, they could go to prison for up to eight years.
Serbia opens Serbian cultural embassy in Goriška Brda
VIPOLŽE - The Cultural Embassy of Serbia, located at the homestead of the well-known winemaker Marjan Simčič in Vipolže in Goriška Brda, was opened on Tuesday by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Vučić said "it is hard to find a higher degree of artistic freedom and expression than in making good wine."
Hidria announces EUR 45 million deal with Volkswagen
IDRIJA - Hidria said it had signed a EUR 45 million deal with the German Volkswagen Group to develop and supply key components for the latest 48-volt system with starter-generator technology. These systems will be used in Volkswagen's mild-hybrid electric vehicles from 2023.
