News roundup - Monday, 1 May

Senior officials pledge fight for labour rights

LJUBLJANA - Senior Slovenian officials pledged to continue fighting for labour rights in their May Day addresses, highlighting the need for a just distribution of wealth. "The process of reining in the labour market is never completed, the same goes for finding a just key to equally distribute surpluses," Prime Minister Robert Golob said. President Nataša Pirc Musar similarly said work and workers were "values we must cherish" and a respectful attitude to workers "an irreplaceable value that we must fight for."

Slovenia's population increasing due to immigration

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's population increased last year thanks to foreigners, official statistics show. Slovenia had 2,116,972 residents on 1 January 2023, 9,792 more than a year earlier. While the number of Slovenian citizens decreased by nearly 7,600, the number of foreign citizens increased by 17,400, shows a report from the Statistics Office. Foreigners now account for 9% of the population, up from 4% a decade ago.

Young Slovenian sets world record in accordion marathon

LJUBLJANA - Anže Krevh, a young Slovenian who has been playing the diatonic button accordion since age five has set an unofficial accordion marathon world record. He played non-stop for 53 hours, 53 minutes and 53 seconds, beating the previous record by more than two hours.