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This summary is provided by the STA:
Blanket ban on fracking put into law
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly imposed a blanket ban on hydraulic fracturing or fracking as MPs voted 54 in favour and none against to pass the relevant amendments to the mining act. This was the sixth attempt by the National Assembly to pass such a ban after it failed to endorse similar proposal by the opposition looking to thwart plans by UK investor Ascent Resources to extract gas by means of hydraulic fracturing in Petišovci in the north-east.
Vote on electronic communications bill postponed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly failed to take a vote on a bill on electronic communications that was to transpose the relevant EU directive as the centre-left opposition filed a motion for a referendum on the bill, which now needs to be discussed first. This is despite the country facing legal action at the EU court for failing to transpose the directive. The opposition objects a provision that would make it possible to ban certain equipment makers such as Huawei from the market.
Most parties agree Slovenia should help countries deal with Ukrainian refugees
LJUBLJANA - Most parties standing in the 24 April general election expressed support in principle for Slovenia's assistance to other countries in dealing with the refugee wave from Ukraine, but in accordance with the country's abilities, as they responded to questions from the STA about the topic. The main contenders in the election also called for a coordinated approach within the EU.
Slovenia and US mark Friendship Day
POLZELA - A ceremony was held in Andraž near Polzela to mark Slovenian-American Friendship Day and pay tribute to the crew of the American B-17 bomber downed there in March 1944. President Borut Pahor and US Ambassador Jamie L. Harpootlian also marked the 30th anniversary of the Slovenian-US diplomatic relations on the occasion. They both made references to the war in Ukraine with Harpootlian saying the atrocities committed by Russia were a stark reminder of what the B-17 bomber crew was fighting for.
Bill passed on youth housing guarantee scheme
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a coalition-sponsored bill on a housing state guarantee scheme for young people. Although deputy groups agreed that the youth must be helped out, the centre-left opposition argued the bill was vague and served the election campaign. The state will issue a guarantee for a loan of up to EUR 200,000 with a maturity of up to 30 years to first time home buyers. The Institute for Housing and Spatial Studies said the scheme would only drive up housing prices further.
Higher scholarships, meal subsidies for students confirmed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed an opposition bill on the status of university students that will raise state scholarships by 20% by 2024, increase funding set aside for the construction of student dorms, and raise meal subsidies. A large share of income earned through student work and scholarships, up to the level of minimum wage, will be exempted from means testing. MPs also endorsed a bill to equalise the minimum gross hourly pay for pensioners with the minimum rate for student work.
MPs approve state guarantee for Third Development Axis secured
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed nearly unanimously a bill to provide loan guarantees for the national motorway company DARS for projects on the Third Development Axis expressway and some other motorway sections whose total cost is estimated at EUR 785 million. It is provided for up to 50% of the investment value of the projects, with the rest to be provided by DARS. As DARS will receive up to EUR 392.44 million in state guarantees, it may get loans from banks under more favourable terms.
New state-owned company to manage public transportation
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly fast-tracked a bill to create a state-owned limited liability company tasked with managing the tactical aspects of passenger transportation on road and rail as a public service. The company, headquartered in Postojna, will plan public transportation and its financing, participate in infrastructure planning and strategies, and manage the integrated mass transit tickets that Slovenia has had for several years now.
MPs approve EUR 150m investment in sport infrastructure
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a bill providing funding for investment in sport infrastructure in Slovenia in the 2023-2027 period. It envisages EUR 150 million in investments or EUR 30 million a year. The annual amount of investment may be higher if the envisaged amounts for the previous years are not invested, while it cannot exceed EUR 60 million. The government will determine the priority areas for financing and co-financing.
Freedom Movement wins action over status in TV election debates
LJUBLJANA - The Freedom Movement, a non-parliamentary party that some polls favour to win the 24 April election, announced the Administrative Court issued a temporary decision in which it upheld its argument that it should be granted the status of a parliamentary party in election debates aired by the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija just like Our Land, the party of former Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec, whom RTV Slovenija granted the status. The Freedom Movement will appear in its first debate on Thursday.
Referendum motions delay social security bills, higher education decree
LJUBLJANA - The opposition centre-left parties filed motions to call a referendum on changes to the law on social security benefits and the law on parental care and family benefits, as well as on a decree transforming a private faculty in Novo Mesto into a public education establishment. The parties argue the planned changes are "harmful" while being made haphazardly. The motions mean the legislative proposals cannot be passed before the election.
Scientists protest against politicisation of higher education
LJUBLJANA - Several hundred scientists gathered in the centre of Ljubljana to protest against the transformation of private educational and research institutions into public entities eligible for public funds, a policy they say is driven by political interests rather than expert judgement. The protest, organised by the Chancellors' Conference and Coordinating Body of Slovenian Research Institutions, comes after two public institutions with ties to current or former state secretaries were recently formed.
NKBM banking group halved profit in 2021
MARIBOR - NKBM, Slovenia's second largest banking group, nearly halved its net profit last year to EUR 112.6 million, which it attributed to the challenging business environment and Covid-19 pandemic. In May last year, the bank's owners, US fund Apollo (80%) and the EBRD, signed a deal to sell the bank to the Hungarian OTP Bank group, which already holds SKB Banka in Slovenia. Pending regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to be finalised in second or third quarter of the year.
Slovenia urges sustainable food safety solutions at W Balkans-EU meeting
BERLIN, Germany - Slovenia's Agriculture Ministry State Secretary Anton Harej highlighted the need for sustainable food safety solutions as he attended on Tuesday a meeting of Western Balkan and EU agriculture ministers discussing the region's preparations to introduce the common agricultural policy (CAP) as part of pre-accession programmes until 2027. He stressed that it was crucial for the countries to start treating agriculture as a critical and strategic activity.
Logistics sector promised government support
PORTOROŽ - The government plans to support the Slovenian logistics industry, including by incentivising the construction of logistics centres and cutting red tape, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec told the International Logistics Congress, which got under way today. He said a debate had already been launched on the need to develop logistics centres across the country, in particular in brownfield sites.
Fmr Commodity Reserves boss found to have favoured PPE suppliers
LJUBLJANA - Anton Zakrajšek, the boss of the Commodity Reserves Agency when it was tasked with carrying out massive purchases of personal protective equipment and devices in the early months of the pandemic, was found to have violated integrity provisions by favouring individual providers, shows a report by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. The watchdog's findings are final.
Epidemic continues to ebb away
LJUBLJANA - Coronavirus cases in Slovenia continued to fall as 2,281 infections were confirmed on Tuesday, down by 24% week-on-week. Another five people with Covid died yesterday, Health Ministry data shows. Hospitalisations broadly remained level. The National Institute of Public Health estimates the number of actively infected people in the country has dropped to 33,878.
Conductor of Slovenian descent wins Grammy Award
NEW YORK, US - Karen Kamenšek, a Conductor of Slovenian descent who served as artistic director of the Maribor opera house and the chief conductor of its orchestra years ago, won the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for her version of Philip Glass's opera Akhnaten on Sunday. Kamenšek was born in Chicago but her parents come from Kamnica near Maribor. She debuted with the opera on the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenatenby by Glass with whom she often collaborates, at the English National Opera in March 2016.
Carinthian Culture Days get under way in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - Carinthian Culture Days, the annual festival celebrating the arts, culture and heritage of the Slovenian minority in Austria, got under way in Ljubljana with the launch of an exhibition of paintings by Gustav Januš. Running until 28 April, the festival will feature a number of events, from book launches to readings, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions.
Technical Museum exhibition on show in Ohio
COLUMBUS, US - A travelling exhibition by the Slovenian Technical Museum that focuses on Slovenian scientists and engineers who made their name in the US is opening at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the US's recognition of Slovenian independence. Entitled Us and Them Without Frontiers, the showcase focuses on, among others, astronaut Sunita Williams, planet hunter Marija Strojnik, space engineer Anton Mavretič.
Expanded Supernova shopping centre opens in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - An expanded Supernova shopping centre in the Ljubljana's shopping district of Rudnik welcomed first visitors. The EUR 70 million investment created 800 jobs and will significantly expand the already large retail district to include new bars and restaurants, seven cinema theatres, two entertainment parks and a gym. The Supernova group, based in Graz, Austria, owns 24 shopping centres in Slovenia.
