News roundup - Thursday, 5 September

First Slovenian-chaired Security Council session dedicated to Gaza

NEW YORK, US - The first UN Security Council session chaired by Slovenia this month was dedicated to the situation in Gaza, with Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Žbogar and other speakers reiterating calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The session on Wednesday again ended without any decisions on the issue. Žbogar said that only a ceasefire would alleviate the suffering of hostages and their families as he again condemned Hamas's 7 October attack and the killing of hostages. He also urged an end to the violence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Slovenia demands explanations on chemical weapons in Syria

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia called on Syria at a meeting of the UN Security Council to comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and provide credible explanations to outstanding issues. Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Žbogar urged the country to cooperate with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in good faith and to comply fully with all relevant Security Council resolutions. The July report of the OPCW found that the Syrian government did not provide explanations for the analyses of samples collected between 2020 and 2023 that hint at undeclared activities related to chemical weapons.

Report: Žbogar to become Slovenia's permanent representative to UN

NEW YORK, US - The Foreign Ministry has published an internal call for applications for the new diplomatic and consular posts, including for the permanent representative of Slovenia to the UN, web portal N1 reported. Samuel Žbogar, Slovenia's special representative on the Security Council, is slated to succeed Boštjan Malovrh on the post. Žbogar temporarily assumed Malovrh's role after the latter's term expired in August. Malovrh, who was appointed to the post during the previous, Janez Janša-led government, is leaving for China, where he will serve as ambassador.

Coalition stands by parliamentary speaker against SDS criticism

LJUBLJANA - All three coalition parties came out to defend National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič against the criticism the opposition Democrats (SDS) levelled at her for refusing to call a session at which a parliamentary inquiry into state-owned electricity companies, requested by both opposition parties, would be founded. She said the flaws pointed out by the parliament's legal service should be addressed first. Coalition MPs today rejected the criticism of abuse of office and of the violation of the constitution and the parliament's rules of procedure, while labelling the SDS's plan to file a criminal complaint against Klakočar Zupančič as political pressure.

Anti-graft watchdog issues recommendations to digit ministry over laptop purchase

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) established a number of corruption risks in the Ministry of Digital Transformation's 2023 purchase of 13,000 laptops for poor primary school kids, the vast majority of which are still undistributed, issuing several recommendations to ensure that public procurement legislation is respected. The watchdog also detected suspicion of violation of public procurement legislation in signing an annex for another 3,000 laptops in addition to the initial 10,000, and thus sent the matter to the National Review Commission.

Ruling party stands by digit minister, junior partners reserved

LJUBLJANA - Following the critical findings of the Court of Audit and the anti-corruption watchdog regarding the purchase of 13,000 rental laptops for disadvantaged school children, it seems that Digital Transformation Emilija Stojmenova Duh can still count on support from the ruling Freedom Movement, while the junior coalition partners are more reserved.

Parliament adopts recommendations for tackling Roma issues

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly adopted in a 50:29 vote opposition-sponsored recommendations urging the government to introduce systemic measures regarding the Roma community and changes to the financing of municipalities. The government is being urged to prepare systemic measures within three months under which municipalities will have to report to the Government Office for National Minorities on the spending of the money they receive based on the share of the Roma population. A legal basis is also to be created for securing the funding of continuous projects for the integration of the Roma.

Govt prepares ground for Lendava-Ljutomer gas pipeline

LJUBLJANA - The government issued a decree on the national spatial plan for the Lendava-Ljutomer gas transmission pipeline. The 20km pipeline in the northeast is one of the projects aimed at connecting the Slovenian and Hungarian gas pipeline systems, the Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Ministry said. The existing pipeline's dimensions are too small and would not be suitable for the two-way transmission needed to link the pipeline systems of Slovenia and Hungary.

Labour NGO reports irregularities in sick leave suspensions by ZZZS

LJUBLJANA - The labour rights NGO Delavska Svetovalnica is dealing with many cases where people who had been injured were forced to return to work prematurely by doctors of the public health insurance company (ZZZS), the NGO's head Goran Lukić told the press. Their recuperation cut short, many see their health deteriorate further. The problem starts with employers, he said, also listing cases where doctors appointed by the ZZZS went against the specialist opinion. The NGO would use legal means available to it to take action against those responsible.

SDS and NSi substitute MPs appointed instead of elected MEPs

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly appointed Andrej Poglajen and Franc Francisco Estanislao Medic as substitute MPs to replace Branko Grims of the Democrats (SDS) and Matej Tonin of New Slovenia (NSi), respectively, who were elected members of the European Parliament in the EU election in June. The substitute MPs were appointed as the post of a member of the Slovenian National Assembly is incompatible with the post of a member of the European Parliament.

Temporary protection for Ukrainians extended to March 2026

LJUBLJANA - The government extended the temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026 and reduced the financial aid they receive in the form of private accommodation subsidies. In June the Council of the EU extended the temporary protection measure until 4 March 2026, the government said after today's session, explaining that this was "because the large number of displaced persons in the EU with the right to temporary protection is unlikely to decrease as long as the war in Ukraine continues".

Govt tackling overcrowded prisons

LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed on Thursday changes to the Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act, sending the bill to parliament to be fast-tracked. The aim of the changes is to introduce temporary measures due to the deteriorating security situation in prisons, which are overcrowded. The changes are to create a legal basis for measures that will guarantee safety and functionality of prisons.

Govt set to speed up inheritance proceedings

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the Inheritance Act to speed up inheritance procedures when heirs are not known. The bill cuts from one year to three months the period in which a court dealing with an inheritance case must urge potential heirs who are not known to come forward. The new legislation is expected to enhance the completion of inheritance procedures, including regarding ownership of real estate such as housing or land and thus improve the social situation of people through housing policy, and allow infrastructure projects to be carried out more quickly.

Govt proposes new method for tolling lorries, one-day vignette

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the Road Tolling Act that transpose into national legislation the provisions of the EU directive that requires toll for lorries based on CO2 emissions. A new, one-day e-vignette is also envisaged, which would be introduced on 25 March 2030 at the latest. The proposed changes introduce a new definition of the classification of lorries into individual CO2 emission classes.

Regulator approves takeover bid for savings bank Lon

LJUBLJANA - The Competition Protection Agency approved on Wednesday the takeover bid by businessman Otmar Zorn and the companies Zorn Plus and GIC Gradnje for Hranilnica Lon, a small savings bank, assessing that it complies with the competition rules. The bid was published in the newspaper Delo on 10 August, with the bidders offering to pay EUR 75 per share, and the bid being valid until 8 October.

New intercity bus timetables draw a lot of public criticism

LJUBLJANA - The new timetables for intercity bus transportation introduced in September are facing a lot of criticism from the public, including that certain lines have been cancelled and that there are not enough buses. Some critics, including Roman Žveglič, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry, say that the issues in rural areas, where public transportation is underdeveloped, have only gotten worse. Meanwhile, the Public Passenger Transport Management Company said that the new timetables were well prepared and accessibility increased, while admitting that there are certain issues at the start of the new school year.

Franciscan monastery in Nova Gorica declared heritage of national importance

LJUBLJANA - The government has declared the Franciscan Monastery on the outskirts of Nova Gorica a cultural monument of natural importance. The monastery, whose beginnings go back to the early 17th century, is best known for its rich library, the tomb of the last king of France, and one of the biggest collections of Bourbon roses in the world.

Archers Živa Lavrinc and Dejan Fabčič win bronze at Paris Paralympics

PARIS, France - Slovenian archers Živa Lavrinc and Dejan Fabčič won the bronze medal in the mixed team recurve open event at the Paris Paralympics after winning the shoot-out against India. Lavrinc and Fabčič started the day out with a 6:2 win against Columbia in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals they defeated China but went on to lose against Turkey in the semifinals.

Dunking Devils' cannon sends humans flying

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian acrobatic group Dunking Devils Squad has launched its latest innovation at the Macher Festival in Germany - a human cannon that has sent willing participants flying more than 40 metres far. It took the group six months to develop the device, an innovation they say was born out of a desire to create unforgettable experiences for adrenaline enthusiasts.