News roundup - Monday, 15 January, until 3pm

Doctors and dentists go on strike, demand changes immediately

LJUBLJANA - Doctors at public health organisations went on strike at 7am, organised by the Fides trade union of doctors and dentists. Work was suspended for half an hour in the morning for individual strike committees to present their demands, which include a pay agreement with the government and the creation of a separate pay pillar for healthcare. Ana Lina Vodušek, a member of the Fides strike committee, said that changes should be made "immediately" and that the government should start taking doctors "seriously, as equal partners". Doctors are to strike until an agreement on their demands is reached with the government.

Pirc Musar talks Gaza in Germany, urges end to crimes and killing of civilians

BERLIN, Germany - President Nataša Pirc Musar and her German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier focused on economic cooperation between the two countries as they met in Berlin, while they also discussed the situation in the Middle East. Pirc Musar said that the "situation in Gaza demands an immediate end to the crimes and killing of civilians". She also highlighted the excellent relations between Slovenia and Germany, stressing the importance of economic cooperation.

Opposition wants debate on Golob's company

LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) requested a session of the parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Public Finances to discuss a company owned by Prime Minister Robert Golob. The party wants to clarify whether there has been any conflict of interest considering that the company receives renewables subsidies from the state. Golob became the sole owner of Star Solar, which runs four solar power plants, as part of his divorce procedure last year.

President launches own podcast series

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar launched her own podcast series. She plans to interview eminent Slovenians and guests from abroad. "I think it's important to broaden the horizons of everyone in Slovenia with the help of knowledgeable people," she said in the introduction to her first podcast, which aired this morning.

Slovenian minority party in Italy elects new leadership

TRIESTE, Italy - The Slovenian Union (SSK), a party representing the Slovenian minority in Italy, elected its new leadership at a congress on Saturday. The new party leader, Damijan Terpin, aims to promote political networking at national and international levels. Terpin, who replaced Peter Močnik, told the Italian public broadcaster RAI that the SSK should re-establish a number of contacts that had been somewhat neglected in recent years.

Fuel off motorway network cheaper as of Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - Regulated prices of fuel off Slovenia's motorway network will go down on Tuesday for two weeks, as excise duties remain unchanged. Regular petrol will be sold at EUR 1.381 a litre, down by 1.2 cents, diesel will be by 1.5 cents cheaper at EUR 1.415 a litre, and heating oil 1.7 cents cheaper at EUR 1.065 a litre.

Woman dies after being hit by fireworks

LUKOVICA - A 56-year-old woman died after being hit by a stray firework on Sunday evening, Ljubljana Police said. The fireworks were apparently launched by a 37-year-old relative of hers. Preliminary findings show she was standing in a backyard when her relative launched fireworks nearby. One of the fireworks changed direction and hit her directly. She sustained heavy injuries and died on the spot despite the rapid arrival of rescue paramedics.

Mountain rescue incidents hit new record last year

KRANJ - Mountain rescuers reported a total of 687 incidents in 2023 in what is a new record number that does not include their efforts during devastating floods in August. The number of fatal accidents stood at 28, ten fewer than in 2022, the mountain rescue service said. The previous record was from 2022, when 667 incidents were reported. Out of last year's incidents, nearly 300 involved foreign tourists.

Car sales up nearly 6% last year, sales of e-cars almost 40%

LJUBLJANA - A total of 48,923 passenger cars were newly registered in Slovenia last year, which is 5.6% more than in 2022, while the number of vans registered for the first time increased by 7.7% to 7,686. The number of new electric cars sold in Slovenia reached 12,584, an annual rise of 38.6%. Manufacturer-wise, Volkswagen sold the largest number of new cars in Slovenia last year, followed by Škoda and Renault.

Modern art museum to zoom in on photography, Middle East art, gentrification

LJUBLJANA - The Museum of Modern Art will focus on a range of topics this year, putting up exhibitions on Slovenian contemporary art, photography, Middle East art and on accelerating gentrification. Another highlight will be Slovenia's appearance at the 60th Venice Biennale. The museum will also host the 10th Triennial of Contemporary Art U3 between June and November in what will be its latest reflection on the current situation in Slovenian contemporary art. The 10th edition has been curated by Tevž Logar.