President Borut Pahor sought to counter mounting criticism following the decision to bring back the six Slovenian troops serving in Iraq, rejecting the allegation on Wednesday that the move tarnished the reputation of the country and its armed forces.

Photographer Stojan Kerbler, and ballet dancer and choreographer Milko Šparemblek have been declared the winners of this year's Prešeren Prizes, Slovenia's top accolades for lifetime accomplishments in the arts.

President Borut Pahor started consultations with parliamentary factions on Wednesday to determine which candidates for two slots on the EU General Court in Luxembourg reserved for Slovenia enjoy support in the National Assembly. Statements by deputy group leaders indicate everything remains open for now.

Responding to the assessment by Janez Janša, the leader of the opposition Democrats (SDS), that the coalition is "clinically dead", Prime Minister Marjan Šarec said that there were no reasons for the government to fall. He noted that Janša had had the opportunity to form a government but had rejected it.