News roundup - Tuesday, 18 June, until 3pm

President: No major achievements two years into govt term

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar said in an interview that she shared the view of many citizens that half of this government's term had passed without any major achievements, especially in strategic reforms. Health reform and public sector pay reform are both still open, she told commercial broadcaster POP TV on Monday evening. She hopes "that in the remaining two years, the government will complete the overdue reforms, rather than doing just some cosmetic corrections".

Golob on board with Renew regarding EU appointments

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Robert Golob echoed the positions of the Renew group of liberal parties as he arrived for talks in Brussels on the new EU leadership on Monday. He is in favour of Estonian PM Kaja Kallas as the head of EU diplomacy or Belgium's Alexander De Croo as a second option. Golob also advocated a second term for Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.

Fines of up to EUR 2,500 mulled for public display of Nazi, Fascist symbols

LJUBLJANA - In the latest reaction to a recent rally held in Ljubljana by what police say were around 70 masked radicals, the Freedom Movement proposed to the fellow coalition parties legislative changes explicitly banning the glorification of Nazism and Fascism. The draft defines such behaviour as a misdemeanour carrying a fine of up to EUR 2,500.

Slovenia down four more spots in IMD World Competitiveness Ranking

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia has lost another four spots in the annual IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, placing 46th among a total of 67 countries surveyed. The drop comes after Slovenia lost four spots in 2023 in what reflects the trend in most European countries. Slovenia's competitive advantages or areas where it ranks highest remain similar to previous years: international trade (8th place), price levels (18th), social framework ensuring high equality and security (20th), and education (24th).

Slovenia back to ten Michelin-starred restaurants

LJUBLJANA - Ten Slovenian restaurants have been deemed worthy of Michelin stars by the relevant restaurant guide, one more than in 2023. Ana Roš's Hiša Franko has retained three stars and restaurant Milka run by chef David Žefran kept its two stars. Seven restaurants have kept one Michelin star, while Restaurant Pavus is the only newcomer on the list.

Report says Celjske Mesnine sale under question

LJUBLJANA - The sale of a majority stake in Celjske Mesnine, a Slovenian meat processing company, to Croatia's Braća Pivac group, for which the contract was already signed in May, now seems uncertain as the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office got involved, Necenzurirano reported. According to documentation obtained by the news portal, the prosecution decided to suspend the sale because of a criminal case involving Celjske Mesnine.

Slovenian teens perform below average in creative thinking

LJUBLJANA - The PISA 2022 survey shows that 15-year-olds in Slovenia perform below average in creative thinking compared to their peers from other countries. They also view different aspects of creativity more negatively and are less open to obtaining new knowledge and experience. Slovenian students scored on average 30 points on the scale from 0 to 60, which is below the OECD average at 33 points.

Off-motorway regular petrol and diesel cheaper as of Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - The price of regular petrol sold outside the Slovenian motorway network dropped by 2.8 cents to EUR 1.445 a litre, and diesel is now 0.8 cents cheaper at EUR 1.455 per litre. The price of heating oil per litre went down by one cent to EUR 1.089. The new prices will be in place through 1 July, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy said late on Monday evening.

Mavs fail to win NBA ring, Dončić proud of their season

BOSTON, US - Slovenian basketball star Luka Dončić and his Dallas Mavericks had to concede defeat to the Boston Celtics in game 5 of the NBA finals on Monday evening (EST) in what was a 4:1 final result of the series. Dončić came short of achieving his dream of the NBA championship ring, but he pointed out his team had a great season. In a post-game statement he said he will reveal his Paris Olympics plans, which have been put into question due to his injuries, in a couple of days.