News roundup - Saturday, 25 February

SD determined to tackle challenges, gaining new momentum

LJUBLJANA - The conference of the Social Democrats (SD) met to elect the new leadership of the body and discuss the party's future. SD president Tanja Fajon said the party needed an overhaul to be able to respond to challenges and that it is gaining a new political momentum. Those who want to bring discord in the party will not succeed, she said. Matevž Frangež, the state secretary at the Economy Ministry was elected the new president of the SD conference with 61 votes in favour and 9 against.

Russians stage rally in Ljubljana to support Ukraine

LJUBLJANA - A few dozen Russian activists staged a rally in Prešeren Square in Ljubljana on Saturday to express their support for Ukraine. The Slovo movement of Russian citizens in Slovenia that opposes Russian military aggression and Putin's rule said that the aggression must end and that Russians must stand up to President Vladimir Putin's regime. Theyalso want to send a message to the Slovenian government that, as Russians, they oppose such actions. They uttered slogans such as "today Ukraine, tomorrow Slovenia", "Putin is an occupier and terrorist" and "stop the war".

Granny's Sexual Life wins César for best animated short

PARIS, France - Granny's Sexual Life, an animated documentary by Slovenia's Urška Djukić, won the French film award César for best animated short as the award ceremony was held in Paris on Friday evening. The film takes a trip into the youth and intimate life of grandmother Vera to shed light on how Slovenian women in the first half of the 20th century. "We know that the French have a special status when it comes to film. This is why the nomination for the César Award alone ... was a tribute to Slovenian film makers, as it was the first in the history of Slovenian film," Djukić told the STA.