News roundup - Thursday, 25 May

Revised budget for 2023 passed, deficit narrowed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a revised budget for 2023, required after several government departments were reformed and new ones were added in January. While the projected budget deficit is being narrowed from EUR 3.3 billion to EUR 2.9 billion, or 4.5% of GDP, it is still considered too high by the opposition. The revised budget reduces expenditure to EUR 16.1 billion, a decrease of EUR 609 million. Revenue is projected at EUR 13.1 billion, down by EUR 233 million.

New law paves way for alternative fuels infrastructure

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed an act that paves the way for a significant expansion of infrastructure for alternative fuels. It sets out to introduce a dense publicly accessible network of refuelling and supply infrastructure for alternative fuels in transport and increase the share of vehicles running on alternative fuels. It aims to improve access to electric vehicles, promote the transition of public transport to zero-emission vehicles, and help secure a gradual transition of heavy-duty freight transport to emissions-free mobility.

Govt approves changes to second track investment programme

LJUBLJANA - The government approved the changed investment programme for the Koper-Divača rail project, which puts the end of the project at the end of 2025. The project is estimated at EUR 1.109 billion. "Trains will drive on the track in the first half of 2026 based on a temporary operating permit or decision," said the Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek. While the project will cost less than what was planned in 2019, the price tag is 18% higher than set down in the first revision of the investment programme in 2021.

Fajon meets Indonesian counterpart

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, who began an official visit to Indonesia, discussed with counterpart Retna Marsudi ways to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries, as well as between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Slovenia's UN Security Council candidacy was presented as well. Fajon pointed to many untapped opportunities to strengthen relations between the two countries, particularly in the economy, investment, science and research, and cooperation among universities.

Slovenia opens embassy in Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Slovenia opened an embassy in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The second residential Slovenian embassy in Africa after Cairo will be provisionally headed by charge d'affaires Vesna Dolinšek. Slovenia seeks to leverage the embassy to strengthen relations with Ethiopia and countries in the broader region, the ministry said. The decision to open the embassy was made after tensions in Ethiopia calmed down. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon visited the Ethiopian capital in April.

Minority MPs sign cooperation agreement with govt

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob and the two representatives of the Italian and Hungarian minorities in the National Assembly signed a cooperation agreement. Golob said he did not want to rush this accord but also wanted to show that cooperation is possible without official pledges. "We are aware that national communities make us richer and that we need to strengthen and nurture them," said Golob.

Judges lodging complaints over modest pay rise

LJUBLJANA - The newspaper Dnevnik reported that a number of judges had lodged complaints with the Judicial Council after their salaries were raised by a single bracket, in line with the changes to the Public Sector Salary System Act. Judges believe that the salary scale and job ranking are unconstitutional. The complaints also draw attention to the fact that judges are not eligible for compensation for incompatibility of office, which they believe is in breach of several constitutional provisions.

International military exercise starts in Gorenjska

BOHINJSKA BELA - Triglav Star 2023, an international military exercise featuring 760 participants, started in the Gorenjska region in the north-west. Running until early June, the 8th annual exercise will focus on mountain warfare. Members of the Slovenian Armed Forces, including reserves, will train with members of armed forces from the US, Hungary, Italy, Germany, North Macedonia, Albania and the Czech Republic to exchange know-how and standardise tactical procedures, thus raising the level of joint operations.

Oštro launches asset monitor for officials

LJUBLJANA - The news portal Oštro launched an online database sourcing publicly available data on the wealth of Slovenian political officials. Oštro said it launched the Wealth Detector because the Corruption Prevention Commission is the only body that knows how much officials are worth, and there is only one staff member who keeps an eye on the data. Today, the portal released information about the wealth of government members and will continue adding into the database in autumn and next year.

Motorway toll up by 6.8% from 15 June

LJUBLJANA - The government has confirmed a 6.8% increase in motorway toll for all vehicles other than lorries as of 15 June, the first toll increase in ten years. As a result, the motorway operator expects EUR 5.3 million in additional revenue this year and EUR 14.6 million next year. The toll increase is necessary because DARS, the motorway company, must be provided with long-term financial sustainability to carry out all planned projects, Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek said.

Almost EUR 40m earmarked for recovery after last year's drought, floods

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted recovery programmes after last year's summer drought land and floods that hit the country last September, earmarking EUR 24.9 million and EUR 14.7 million for the efforts, respectively. The drought damage is estimated at EUR 148.5 million as vast swathes of agricultural land were affected. The flooding was the worst in the upper Kolpa Valley in southern Slovenia.

State to cover EUR 1.7m in initial costs for flood-affected areas

LJUBLJANA - The government earmarked EUR 1.7 million in emergency funds to the municipalities affected by the recent floods and landslides. The costs that will be covered immediately were the costs of technical equipment, food, tools, tarpaulins and similar items used during the initial effort, Defence Minister Marjan Šarec said. This is just emergency aid, the costs of recovery efforts will be reimbursed after the completion of all procedures.

New investment for Brežice-based start-up

BREŽICE - Juicefast, a start-up based in Brežice that produces healthy meals and juices, has received an investment by two Croatian entrepreneurs Mate Rimac and Sandro Mur. The amount has not been disclosed. The investment will allow Juicefast to continue the development of innovative production technology and expand to other European markets. Juicefas was founded in 2020 by brothers David and Marko Dravinec and has been successful in the Croatian market. This year it will also focus on the Slovenian market.

Personal assistants strike over pay, working conditions

LJUBLJANA - The Personal Assistance Trade Union staged a strike to warn of deteriorating working conditions of its members. Personal assistants and those eligible for personal assistance due to disabilities staged a rally in front of the Ministry of Labour, the Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Their demands include higher wages for personal assistants, a collective bargaining agreement and adoption of standards and norms for personal assistance.

Kutnar stays on as University of Primorska rector

KOPER- Klavdija Kutnar stays on as the rector of the University of Primorska. She received almost 63% of the vote, defeating economics professor Matjaž Novak, show preliminary unofficial results. The turnout was 81% among teachers, 84% among other university employees and 6% among students. The votes were tallied in accordance with an algorithm under which the teachers's vote accounts for 70% of the final result.

Business sentiment declines further

LJUBLJANA - Business sentiment in Slovenia has been decreasing since December, as the indicator fell to -2.9 percentage points in April, down 0.2 points on the previous month and 5.5 points lower in yearly comparison, shows Statistics Office data. Year-on-year, the outlook in manufacturing was down by 4.4 points and 0.7 points in retail. Construction and services sectors posted 0.6 and 0.2-point drops, respectively. Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved by 0.3 points.

Modern art showcased this weekend in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Art Weekend will see a diverse programme of art exhibitions, round tables, an international conference, workshops and panel discussions until Sunday. New this year are "art walks", guided tours around Ljubljana, focusing on different spaces, which are the main theme of this year's Art Weekend. The festival is opening at the Cukrarna art centre with two round table discussions, the first centring on the inaccessibility of atelier workspaces and the second on the challenges of art magazines.

Izola film festival to see more than 100 films

IZOLA - The 19th Kino Otok - Isola Cinema international film festival will bring 45 full-length and 75 short films. In early June, screenings are scheduled in the coastal town of Izola, Ljubljana's Kinodvor and the Slovenian Cinematheque. Art cinemas in Tolmin, Idrija and Sežana will also join the festival. The programme will kick off on 30 May at the Slovenian Cinematheque, which will screen six films by Indian director Satyajit Ray. The main part of the festival takes place between 7 and 11 June.

Journalist wins prize for best children's book

LJUBLJANA - Arlan Pod Preprogo (Arlan Under the Rug) by Delo journalist and editor Andrej Predin has won this year's Desetnica Prize for the best children's and youth book. The jury dubbed it an "unusual, accomplished literary piece". Published in 2022, the book tells a story of a boy who forgot his name and who discovers a whole new world under a rug, a world where nameless strangers are quickly at the mercy of horrible inspectors.

Europe's best rowers competing in Bled

BLED - The best rowers in Europe will be on Lake Bled from Thursday through Sunday for the European Rowing Championships. A total of 560 competitors from 33 countries will be vying for medals. Slovenia has sent nine Slovenian boats into the race. Overall rowing superpower Great Britain has the largest number of boats and will compete in 18 of the 21 events. Germany will compete in 17. Bled first hosted the European Championships in 1956.