News roundup - Tuesday, 28 May, until 3pm

Most parties support beefing up EU defence capabilities

LJUBLJANA - The parties or lists standing in the European Parliament election in Slovenia mostly agree that stronger EU defence capabilities and less dependence on the US are needed amid a tense global security situation. However, they are divided on whether the EU should get a defence commissioner.

Slovenia overtakes Estonia as German investors' darling

LJUBLJANA - The interest of German investors in Slovenia has increased again after a dip in 2023, with the annual survey by the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce ranking first among Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Standing out among challenges are high labour taxation, unpredictable economic policies and skilled staff shortages. Even though the market is relatively small, many German companies draw on the extensive expertise of Slovenian companies, their innovation capacity and highly qualified professionals.

Interest in digital inclusion laptops modest so far

LJUBLJANA - The saga involving the laptops the Digital Transformation Ministry purchased to boost digital inclusion continues, as the demand for them has not been meeting the expectations. The open call for 10,000 of the laptops, which started roughly a month ago, has so far recorded fewer than 1,000 applications. Until Monday, the relevant fund received 923 applications, of which more than 500 have already been resolved.

Alenka Vodončnik withdraws bid for RTV Slovenija board member

LJUBLJANA - The public broadcaster's council will not vote on the appointment of Alenka Vodončnik to the management board of RTV Slovenija at today's session, as was initially scheduled, since the candidate has withdrawn her bid, the broadcaster confirmed for the STA. This is the second candidate put forward by general director Zvezdan Martić to fall through after his previous pick was voted down.

Slovenia's top library celebrates 250 years

LJUBLJANA - The National and University Library (NUK) is celebrating its 250th anniversary and will be honoured with an Order of Merit for Distinguished Service by President Nataša Pirc Musar in the evening. The country's largest library developed from what was established as the Ljubljana Lyceum Library, first mentioned in 1774.

Several persons suspected of tourist voucher fraud

NOVO MESTO/KRŠKO - Police have reported eight persons and one company to the prosecution over fraud involving tourist vouchers, which the government issued to Slovenian residents during the Covid-19 pandemic to help the country's tourism industry. They are suspected of multiple criminal acts related to fake accommodation of tourists to unlawfully gain over EUR 281,000.

Drug use makes car accidents 25 times more likely, cannabis debate hears

LJUBLJANA - Negative effects of cannabis use and legalisation on mental health, road safety and youth was discussed at an event organised by the Slovenian Association for Chronic Non-Infectious Diseases, one of the organisations taking part in the campaign for the 9 June consultative referendum on cannabis use for medical and personal use. Civil society representatives and experts said they believed that legalisation would only further worsen the situation.

Lesbian Quarter festival focuses on recycling

LJUBLJANA - The Lesbian Quarter festival will kick off in the evening, with recycling as the main theme of its 10th iteration. For this reason, the festival collective is also looking back at its own past work exploring its internal dynamics. As the collective member Tanja Matijašević recently announced in the ŠKUC Gallery, the main venue of the festival, they will recycle prejudice about the lesbian community and the desires and challenges they face in public.