News roundup - Wednesday, 28 February

Slovenia insists in UN Security Council on ceasefire in Gaza

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia's representative in the UN Security Council Samuel Žbogar said at Tuesday's session on Gaza that a ceasefire is a prerequisite for all other activities in support of Palestinian civilians, who are facing starvation. A similar opinion was expressed by practically all other speakers, with the exception of the US representative.

PM's international affairs secretary talks Ukraine, Gaza and W Balkans in Washington

WASHINGTON, US - The state secretary for international affairs and national and international security at the PM's office Vojko Volk concluded a two-day visit to the US, where he met with several officials and discussed bilateral relations and the current situation in Ukraine, Gaza and the Western Balkans. On Gaza, he told the STA that "we understood that intervening in negotiations ... with resolutions that are too strong can be problematic and we are going in with some more patience". Volk confirmed his visit was in preparation for PM Robert Golob visiting the White House, but disclosed no details.

Ministry, embassy not informed about Janša's visit to Israel

LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry and the Slovenian Embassy in Tel Aviv were not informed about opposition leader Janez Janša's recent visit to Israel, a senior ministry official told the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee. The government has no intention to move the embassy to Jerusalem, which Janša reportedly plans if he becomes PM again.

Last viaduct on Koper-Divača rail track completed

ČRNI KAL - At a ceremony marking the completion of the third and final viaduct of the new Koper-Divača rail track, the country's top officials expressed satisfaction with the progress of the EUR 1.11 billion project. The rail track, to link the country's sole commercial port with the Divača railway junction and the rest of Slovenia and Europe, is expected to open for traffic in 2026. The officials added the construction of an extra, parallel track, is to follow in 2026-2030.

Judges meet EU Commission reps, share pay issue grievances

LJUBLJANA - Representatives of the Slovenian Judges' Association met with representatives of the European Commission as part of an emerging report on the rule of law in Slovenia for 2023. The judges notified the Commission that the government and National Assembly were intentionally ignoring the Constitutional Court ruling on judges' pay. As for the remaining issues, they mainly expressed criticism of changes to the composition and appointment of the Judicial Council, lamenting a lack of safeguards to prevent further political influence.

Upper chamber fails to vote on parliamentary inquiry into PM Golob

LJUBLJANA - The National Council failed to vote on a motion to open a parliamentary inquiry into operations of two energy companies associated with Prime Minister Robert Golob and into allegedly unlawful financing of his party. The session of parliament's upper chamber was suspended due to procedural matters, but could resume next week.

Three witnesses in parl inquiry deny favouring some media platforms

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary inquiry into allegedly unlawful financing of political parties interviewed three former senior managers at partly state-owned companies Telekom Slovenije, Petrol and Pošta Slovenije. All of them denied allegations of attempts to influence the companies' advertising policies to favour some media platforms with links to certain political parties.

Vojko Flis gets full term at helm of UKC Maribor

MARIBOR - Vojko Flis, a surgeon, was appointed director general of UKC Maribor, Slovenia's second largest hospital, for four years, after having served in acting capacity since last autumn, when his predecessor Anton Crnjac left in agreement with the hospital's governing council. Flis, who was director general already between June 2017 and June 2021, was the only candidate for the post.

Intereuropa appoints Borut Zorić as chairman

KOPER - The logistics group Intereuropa said it appointed Borut Zorić as its chairman on Tuesday. Starting his four-year term on Friday, Zorić will replace Borut Flander who resigned in January after three months on the job. Zorić has spent most of his career in multinational teams and international environments in logistics and sales, said Intereuropa, which was acquired in 2019 by state-owned Pošta Slovenije.

Manure spill causes no serious damage to Postojna Cave life

LJUBLJANA - The 18 February spill of around 1,300 cubic metres of manure near Postojna did not cause any serious damage to the life in the nearby Postojna Cave, findings by experts suggest. The spill, caused by manure lagoon wall collapse, reached the cave, home to the unique cave-dwelling olm salamander and a key Slovenian tourist attraction, on 23 February, but damage was mitigated by heavy rain on 23 and 24 February.

New grouping of intellectuals calls for sustainable development, against dismantling of public sphere

LJUBLJANA - The Academy of Sciences for Slovenia's Sustainable Development, a group set up by some 50 intellectuals, met for its first assembly at the Faculty of Social Science. It issued a statement on the situation in the world and in Slovenia, mostly taking issue with what is seen as a poor response to natural and social risks. The academy's presidency is chaired by the doyen of Slovenian sociology Niko Toš, a retired professor from the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences.

Pirates hope to get MEP seat by focusing on nuclear, privacy

LJUBLJANA - The non-parliamentary Pirate Party presented its list of candidates for the EU election, with its representatives underlining that they really want an MEP seat. The party's top candidate is long-time member Urška Orehek. The party plans to highlight the importance of nuclear for the green transition during the campaign.

Major exhibition of Maria Lassnig's work opens in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - An exhibition of Maria Lassnig's paintings and drawings opened in Ljubljana's Cankarjev Dom in what is the first independent exhibition of the acclaimed Austrian artist in Slovenia. Lassnig (1919-2014) is most famous for her expressive self-portraits. The exhibition features 78 drawings, four oil paintings and two videos.