News roundup - Wednesday, 10 July

PM says Slovenia will contribute its share to Ukraine defence

WASHINGTON, DC, US - Prime Minister Robert Golob said ahead of the start of the NATO summit that Slovenia will express solidarity with Ukraine and contribute its share to the country's defence against Russia, but he could not talk about specific numbers. He believes that a step forward in this regard will be made at the summit. Addressing a reception for Slovenian and US officials at the Slovenian embassy last night, he noted the importance of sharing common goals such as prosperity and democracy, regardless of the size or power of a country.

Fajon attends NATO Women, Peace and Security roundtable in Washington

WASHINGTON, US - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon attended the NATO Women, Peace and Security roundtable discussion hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of the alliance's 75th anniversary summit in Washington on Tuesday. She said women's participation significantly improves the outcomes of peace negotiations, expressing Slovenia's support for the alliance's updated Women, Peace and Security policy, which will be endorsed at the summit.

Pirc Musar calls international organisations to action over Gaza

SARAJEVO, Bosnia ad Herzegovina - The international community has a duty to stop genocidal acts, Slovenia's President Nataša Pirc Musar said at a conference titled From the Balkans to Gaza: A Critical Examination of Genocide ahead of the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. The war in Gaza is a defeat of humanity, she was quoted as saying by her office.

MPs endorse new state asset management strategy

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed the long anticipated new state asset management strategy, which changes the status of certain companies. The real estate investment firm DSU will assume the assets of the former bad bank and Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) will be in charge of the construction of public flats. The strategy deals with a total of 84 companies with state capital investment, including 34 strategic companies.

MPs pass housing act changes

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed changes to the Housing Act introducing state compensation in case of existing non-profit rentals of denationalised flats. The changes also aim to boost public housing loans and overhaul the national Housing Fund. The opposition argued that the changes regarding denationalised flats would not address the existing unconstitutionality of the law and that the Housing Fund does not need its management board expanded.

Bill to speed up TEN-T projects passed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a bill to streamline procedures for infrastructure projects within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The bill defines projects that must be treated as a priority, shortens procedures for their construction, upgrade, adjustment or change, and covers public procurement. With the new legislation, Slovenia fully includes in its national law the EU directive on streamlining measures for advancing TEN-T.

Breakthrough of all Koper-Divača railway tunnels marked

KOZINA - The completion of the excavation work on all ten tunnel tubes on the new railway track between the port of Koper and the Divača hub was officially marked in the Lokev Tunnel. It was noted on the occasion that the entire project is expected to be concluded by the end of 2025. Seven tunnels and three service tubes in the total length of 37.4 km have been excavated for the 27-km route that rises from Slovenia's sole maritime port to an altitude of 430 metres further up inland. Three-quarters of the route are tunnels.

Jelena Virant Burnik appointed new information commissioner

LJUBLJANA - Jelena Virant Burnik was appointed the new information commissioner, with 57 MPs voting for and seven opposition SDS MPs against. Virant Burnik, who has since 2018 been the head of international cooperation and oversight at the Office of the Information Commissioner, will take over for five years on 18 July. She has been with the office, which is in charge of access to public information and personal data protection, since 2008.

Industrial output down in May

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's industrial output decreased by 5% in May year-on-year and total turnover in industry dropped by 4.3%. Compared with May 2023, industrial output decreased the most in manufacturing (-4.9%), data from the Statistics Office show. Total value of stocks in May was up 0.3% higher year-on-year.

Electricity production up, consumption down last year

LJUBLJANA - A total of 14,194 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity was delivered to the transmission and distribution system in Slovenia last year, 16% more than the year before, with total hydroelectric power output rising by 58%. Total electricity consumption was down by 7%. Domestic electricity production met 91% of the country's needs, shows a report by the Energy Agency.

Han and Šefčovič talk green transition tailored to industry

LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Matjaž Han met with Maroš Šefčovič, the executive vice-president of the European Commission for the European Green Deal, to discuss green transition. They agreed that the green transition should be implemented in a way that does not limit the competitiveness of the economy. Han and Šefčovič also talked about the next European Commission, which will assume office at the end of 2024, with the current geopolitical and economic situation being quite different from five years ago, the Slovenian Economy Ministry said in a press release.

MPs unanimously back changes expanding school lunch subsidies

LJUBLJANA - MPs unanimously backed the coalition-sponsored changes to the act regulating school meals, expanding the eligibility to a free school lunch to all children from families whose average monthly income per parent does not exceed EUR 470 until 1 September 2027, when school meals will be free for all children. The changes were filed by a group of MPs led by Borut Sajovic from the Freedom Movement and were backed by 81 MPs and none against.

OECD survey shows Slovenians trust other people the most

LJUBLJANA/PARIS, France - The latest OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions, which this time included Slovenia for the first time, shows that Slovenians trust other people the most, while trust in political parties is the lowest among all categories. Almost 58% of the surveyed Slovenians said they trusted other people, which is almost five percentage points less than the OECD average. The police is in second place (52%), which is almost eleven points below the OECD average, and in third place, with 41%, are the courts and the justice system (compared to the OECD average of 54%).

Court deems RTV culture desk editor's dismissal unlawful

LJUBLJANA - The controversial dismissal of Zemira Alajbegović Pečovnik last year as the editor of culture shows at the TV arm of the public broadcaster has been deemed unlawful in court. TV Slovenija has been ordered to reinstate her to her job and pay her salary compensation with default interest. Alajbegović Pečovnik, who worked at the public broadcaster for 25 years, was dismissed at the end of June 2023 by Uroš Urbanija, the acting director of TV Slovenija at the time.

Charles Lloyd and Chief Adjuah open Ljubljana Jazz Festival

LJUBLJANA - The 65th Ljubljana Jazz Festival is opening at the Križanke open-air theatre tonight with a double bill featuring the renowned wind player Charles Lloyd and Chief Adjuah, formerly known as Christian Scott, who comes from the cradle of jazz, New Orleans. Running until Saturday, the festival will feature 20 concerts by nearly 100 musicians from more than 20 countries.