News roundup - Sunday, 9 June

Early results suggest strong win for Slovenian right in EU election

LJUBLJANA - The first partial EU election results indicate that the Democrats (SDS) will get four seats in European Parliament, double the number the opposition party had so far, and the ruling Freedom Movement two, the same as now. The green party Vesna, the conservative New Slovenia (NSi) and the Social Democrats (SD) would get one each, according to results released by the National Electoral Commission after over 60% of the votes were counted.

Slim majority in favour of assisted dying

LJUBLJANA - The right to assisted dying for terminally ill patients was endorsed by over 54% in Sunday's consultative referendum, preliminary results showed. The referendum was held after the government coalition decided to reject in parliament in March an NGO-sponsored bill on assisted voluntary dying, arguing that people should be consulted on what they said is a very broad social issue. It is widely expected that the same bill will be resubmitted by the government shortly.

Preferential vote endorsed in referendum

LJUBLJANA - Voters endorsed the preferential vote in Sunday's referendum. A clear majority of over 70% backed the introduction of a preferential vote in general elections, preliminary results showed. Supporters from the ranks of the government stressed the increased influence of voters on the election of MPs, opponents warned of ambiguities regarding the new system, even though they are not against preferential votes as such. Changes to electoral law require a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Voters endorse legalisation of cannabis for medical, personal use

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian voters endorsed the use of cannabis for both medical and personal use. More than 66% expressed support for growing and use of medical marijuana but a much slimmer majority, over 51%, voted in favour of allowing people to grow and use cannabis for personal use, preliminary results showed. Prime Minister Robert Golob said a bill on medical marijuana was close to being finalised and would be put to parliament by the end of the year. He did not specify at what stage rules for personal use of cannabis are.

Roglič wins Critérium du Dauphiné

PARIS, France - Slovenian rider Primož Roglič (Bora Hansgrohe) clung on in a turbulent last stage to win the Critérium du Dauphiné, a classic one-week race, by just eight seconds ahead of the American Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike). This is the second Critérium du Dauphiné win for the 34-year-old Roglič after he won two years ago, and the first major race he has won after switching teams last year.