News roundup - Wednesday, 5 June

Top court specifies judges' pay rise, orders factoring in 10 years of inflation

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court ordered an increase in judges' salaries in an amount corresponding to the total rise in consumer prices recorded in the past decade, which is about 26%. The ruling, prompted by the Judicial Council, came as the government failed to honour the top court's previous order to secure adequate pay by 3 January 2024. The Slovenian Judges' Association welcomed the decision, while trade unionists from the remaining segments of the public sector indicated that the talks on pay reform, which are continuing, will be affected.

Slovenia and Palestine establish diplomatic relations

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and Palestine established diplomatic relations today, a day after Slovenia became the 147th UN member to recognise Palestine. A recognition note was handed to Palestinian Ambassador Salah Abdel-Shafi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked PM Robert Golob in a phone call. The pair agreed to meet in Jordan next week.

Fajon for CNN: Palestine recognition sends message to Israel, Hamas about the need for ceasefire

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's recognition of Palestine sends a message to both Israel and Hamas about the need for a ceasefire, resuming negotiations, release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon told the CNN. She also expressed her wish that other countries in Europe would follow Slovenia's example.

Speaker says move to challenge Palestine recognition would not succeed

LJUBLJANA - National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič assessed late on Tuesday that possible challenging of the parliament's recognition of Palestine by the opposition would not be successful. She is not sure whether the opposition will try to use legal means to challenge the decision at all. She told a TV Slovenija current affairs show that she was "certainly the first president of the National Assembly to break the years-long practice of abuse of consultative referendums, which were used only to delay legislative procedures".

Jurist says both coalition and opposition violated rules

LJUBLJANA - Jurist Rajko Pirnat assessed for the STA that both the coalition and the opposition acted in a disputable manner during Tuesday's procedure in the National Assembly to recognise Palestine. The former clearly violated the rules of procedure, while the latter's motions for a consultative referendum on the matter were unacceptable, he said.

Slovenia urges Iraq to adopt anti-sexual violence legislation

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Ondina Blokar Drobič, called on the Iraqi government to adopt legislation against sexual violence, without the death penalty, at today's UN Security Council meeting on the 12th report of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Islamic State in Iraq.

Top court green-lights referendum on assisted dying

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court green-lighted the decree calling a consultative referendum on assisted dying. It ruled that the petitioner cannot justify the unconstitutionality of the referendum question by alleging the unconstitutionality of legislation that has not yet been adopted.

Committee uneasy about Criminal Procedure Act changes increasing data privacy

LJUBLJANA - Conducting the second reading of changes to the Criminal Procedure Act that make it harder for investigation authorities to acquire certain communication and financial data, the parliamentary Justice Committee heard criticism about fast-tracking such important changes. Novelties affecting the tackling of illegal border crossings were discussed too.

Freedom Movement notes fundamental EU values in campaign event

LJUBLJANA - The ruling Freedom Movement held an EU election campaign event in Ljubljana, with Prime Minister Robert Golob noting that the party wants people who believe in democracy, the rule of law and welfare state to represent Slovenia in Europe, not people who spread lies and fear. The Freedom Movement "has emerged victorious from every campaign, and it will also be similar this time around," the party president Golob said at the event that also featured the party's MEP candidates.

President calls on Slovenians to turn out for EU vote

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar believes the campaign ahead of the European Parliament election on Sunday has put little emphasis on what the EU gives to its member states and about the importance of turning out. She hopes that Slovenians will make a break with what have traditionally been low turnout figures and "show that we care about Europe".

Turnout at 1.2% on first day of early EU and referendum voting

LJUBLJANA - The first of the three days of early voting ahead of the EU election and three referendums on Sunday saw 1.2% of voters turn out on Tuesday for the EU vote and the consultative referendum on assisted dying, the two votes for which the National Electoral Commission (DVK) will be supplying turnout figures before Sunday evening. Compared to the previous EU election, in 2019, the turnout figure is higher, as only 0.47% turned out on the first day of early voting five years ago.

Key systemic reforms introduced too slowly, Ombudsman says

LJUBLJANA - Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina assessed as he presented the annual report to President Nataša Pirc Musar that the key systemic reforms are being introduced too slowly, listing healthcare, education, long-term care and deinstitutionalisation as areas in need of change.

Paper maker Paloma inaugurates new EUR 138m facilities

SLADKI VRH - The paper tissue maker Paloma launched new facilities worth EUR 138 million to conclude a seven-year investment cycle under the ownership of the Slovak group SHP. The owners also announced that the company will launch a production line for tissue boxes next year, worth EUR 11 million. The government provided an EUR 8 million incentive for the investment with government officials lauding SHP as an excellent, strategic owner.

BTC gets new logistics centre

LJUBLJANA - Logistics and real estate company BTC, best known for its Ljubljana shopping district BTC City, has taken over the management of a new logistics centre in the Zalog borough in Ljubljana, constructed by the Kobal group. The centre, worth EUR 36 million, spans 40,000 m2 and will employ 150-180 workers.

Addiko Bank turns to top court over tax on bank total assets

LJUBLJANA - Addiko Bank has filed a motion for a constitutional review of a temporary tax on bank total assets designed to finance post-flood reconstruction. It also proposes staying the provisions. The government finds the move unfounded.

Slovenia's jobless total falls to a new low

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's joblessness has fallen to a new record low since independence with fresh data from the Employment Service putting the figure at 44,088 at the end of May, down 6.6% year-on-year and 2.5% fewer than the previous month. A total of 3,861 people newly out of a job registered with the Employment Service in May, 8.4% fewer than in April and 2.9% fewer than a year ago. Demand for new workers appears to be somewhat cooling.

Most extensive study on climate change in Slovenia published

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian scientists published a study on climate change in Slovenia in the last 11,700 years in what is the most comprehensive overview of climate change in this part of the world so far. They hope that the project will help understand how ecosystems and societies can adapt to climate change. They noted the exceptional variety of climate in Slovenia despite the country's small size.

Days of Solidarity with Palestinians get under way in Maribor

LJUBLJANA - The city of Maribor is hosting a series of events between 5 and 13 June to express solidarity with the Palestinians and draw attention to their suffering. The Days of Solidarity with Palestine are organised by culture and youth NGOs and individuals, starting with readings of Palestinian literature at the GT22 culture centre. Although aware that such festivals will not stop the war, they want to present "the rich history and culture of Palestinians" to the Slovenian public, hoping this would promote solidarity.

Unique East Asian collection on show in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Ethnographic Museum launched last week an exhibition of objects from East Asia, brought to Slovenia by marine officer Ivan Skušek and his Japanese wife Tsuneko Kondo Kawase in 1920. The exhibition Asia in the Heart of Ljubljana: The Life of the Skušek Collection tells the story of how the collection was created and what the situation at Beijing's art market was at the time. It will run until 31 August.