An NGO whose appeals have called into question the launch of Magna Steyr's paint shop in Slovenia has decided to give up its plan to challenge the environmental permit for the plant in court.

The party of Prime Minister Marjan Šarec (LMŠ) has decided to run independently in the 26 May elections to the European Parliament, while the Modern Centre Party (SMC) and Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) will try to field a joint list of candidates.

The highest national awards for current and lifetime achievements in sports were handed out at a ceremony in Brdo pri Kranju on Wednesday, with the 2018 Bloudek Prizes going to biathlete Jakov Fak, sport climber Janja Garnbret, former parachutist and sport pilot Drago Bunčič and former handball player and official Adolf Urnaut.

The statement European Parliament President Antonio Tajani made in Italy's Basovizza on Sunday can also be understood as territorial claims, so I reject it completely, President Borut Pahor said on Wednesday. Tajani has meanwhile apologised for the statement after meeting Slovenian and Croatian MEPs over the matter.

President Pahor has called elections to the European Parliament for 26 May, initiating formal procedures leading up to the vote.

The Serbian bank AIK formally published a takeover bid for Gorenjska Banka on Wednesday. The offer shows AIK Banka already owns 77.7% of Gorenjska Banka stock, significantly more than the 33.3% it said it had just a week ago.

The Slovenian and Croatian MEPs from the European People's Party (EPP) have joined forces to demand from European Parliament President Antonio Tajani a "clear apology" and "withdrawal of your statement" made at the 10 February commemoration in Italy's Basovizza.