News roundup - Monday, 3 June

SDS files motion for referendum on recognising Palestine

LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) filed a motion for a consultative referendum on whether Slovenia should recognise Palestine after the government asked parliament to do so last week. The move by the opposition party will delay the final vote on Palestine recognition, which was initially scheduled for Tuesday. The coalition criticised the SDS's move.

Parliamentary committee endorses recognition of Palestine

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee endorsed the government's proposal to recognise the state of Palestine in a 9:3 vote. The coalition expressed its support, while the opposition was against. Diplomats and international legal experts taking part in the debate were divided on the issue.

SDS proposing emergency session for speedier aid to Slovenian fishermen

LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) have called for an emergency National Assembly session to speed up the processing of their proposal to help Slovenian fishermen after their applications against a total of EUR 3.4 million in fines so far imposed on them by Croatia in the disputed Bay of Piran had been deemed inadmissible by the ECHR.

Draft of updated National Energy and Climate Plan unveiled

LJUBLJANA - The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy presented an amended draft of the updated National Energy and Climate Plan, which sets more ambitious goals for Slovenia in line with EU targets. The draft addresses two electricity supply scenarios post-2030: renewables only and a combination with N-energy. The government could endorse it as early as at the end of summer.

Ministry scraps plan to impose vending machine receipts

LJUBLJANA - The Finance Ministry announced it has withdrawn a proposal to introduce, as part of planned changes to tax legislation, a new rule that would require vending machines to dispense receipts. The package of tax changes, expected to take effect on 1 January 2025, entered public consultation today.

Constitutional Court voids changes allowing tracking of goods

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court announced it has annulled a change to the Article 18a of the Financial Administration (FURS) Act passed in 2023 which would allow tax inspectors to issue goods tracking orders without a warrant signed by a judge. The measure was stayed soon after it was adopted. Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina, who filed for a constitutional review in March 2023, sees the decision as an important contribution to understanding the importance of legal clarity and certainty.

Conference explores ways for healthcare to help fight climate change

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Government efforts for healthcare to help keep in check climate change, the impact of the latter on health and the need to change food systems and diet habits were among the topics highlighted at the national conference on the greening of healthcare. Participants were addressed by PM Robert Golob, who described climate change as the greatest threat to humanity.

State offers to sell MLM to Maribor municipality for one euro

MARIBOR - After a number of failed attempts to sell the Maribor-based foundry MLM the state assets manager Slovenia Sovereign Holding (SSH) has offered the troubled company to the local community, which is against selling, for one euro. SSH would also provide a EUR 5 million long-term loan to help restructure the business. The Maribor mayor does not seem too optimistic about the proposal.

Natalija Gorščak named acting RTV Slovenija boss

LJUBLJANA - The council of the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija formally dismissed Zvezdan Martić as chairman of the management board of RTV Slovenija, and appointed Natalija Gorščak, a former TV Slovenija director, as acting chairwoman. She will serve until a new chair is appointed or for up to six months. Martić resigned last week.

Regular petrol cheaper, diesel slightly dearer as of Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - The price of regular petrol sold outside the Slovenian motorway network will drop by 2.2 cents to EUR 1.473 a litre on Tuesday, while diesel will be 0.1 cents dearer at EUR 1.463. The price of heating oil per litre will meanwhile go down by 0.4 cents to EUR 1.099. The new prices will be in force until 17 June, the Environment, Climate and Energy Ministry announced.

Maribor Theatre Festival starts

MARIBOR - The 59th Maribor Theatre festival, the main theatre event in the country, starts today, bringing a dozen Slovenian productions competing for prestigious Borštnik awards, which will be given out at the end of the festival on 16 June. Actor Branko Šturbej will be honoured with the Borštnik Ring for lifetime achievements.

20th Isola Cinema to honour its past

IZOLA/LJUBLJANA - The art cinema festival Isola Cinema will be celebrating its 20th iteration, honouring both the artists that have made it a mainstay of early summer on the coast, and its host city, Izola. Running between Wednesday and Sunday, the festival will be preceded by several film screenings in Ljubljana starting on Monday and Tuesday.

Retired scientist puts artistic side on display

LJUBLJANA - An exhibition of paintings by scientist and painter Jadran Lenarčič will open in the gallery of the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana this evening. Lenarčič is a former director of Slovenia's foremost research centre and a member of the Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies.