News roundup - Wednesday, 11 September, until 3pm

Coalition asks for emergency committee session on new EU commissioner candidate

LJUBLJANA - Coalition deputy groups filed on Tuesday a request for an emergency session of the EU Affairs Committee to interview EU commissioner nominee Marta Kos, which they say should be held no later than Friday. The committee's chair Franc Breznik of the opposition Democrats (SDS) on the other hand insists the government must first provide reasons for replacing Tomaž Vesel. The hearing is part of Slovenia's procedure of EU commissioner nomination and a pre-requisite to finalise the nomination process.

Opposition reports parliament president to police

LJUBLJANA - The two opposition parties, the Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi), have filed a criminal complaint against National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič for suspected abuse of office and misconduct in office, SDS deputy Danijel Krivec said. The ruling party sees this as mudslinging. The complaint was prompted by her refusal to convene a session at which a parliamentary inquiry into state-owned electricity companies would be launched.

Climate council unhappy with fossil fuel incentives, TEŠ aid

LJUBLJANA - The Climate Council, an independent government advisory body, underlined the need to reduce and abolish subsidies for fossil fuels as it went over the most recent versions of Slovenia's National Energy and Climate Plan and climate legislation changes at its last session. The members of the council also expressed concern about public finance risks stemming from the poor viability of the TEŠ power plant.

Bus drivers' trade union warns about alarming situation

NAKLO/LJUBLJANA - The worrying situation in public transport continues to make headlines as the umbrella trade union of bus drivers warned about the unbearable conditions, including a severe shortage of drivers and burnout. The situation has been chaotic since 1 September, with passengers raising alarm as well, the union's president Dušan Vidovič said. But the problems run deeper since the union estimates Slovenia is short of 860 bus drivers.

Slovenia picks Family Therapy as Oscar international feature submission

LJUBLJANA - Family Therapy, a black comedy family drama by acclaimed auteur Sonja Prosenc, has been picked to be Slovenia's official entry for consideration in the best international feature category at the 2025 Oscars. Produced by Monoo, the feature talks about the topical issue of the untouchable elite and its hedonistic ways. Family Therapy had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in June.

Slovenian director's new film makes its Netflix debut

LJUBLJANA - Boxer, a new feature film by Slovenian screenwriter and director Mitja Okorn known for his films Letters to Santa and Planet Single, will premiere on Netflix this evening. It portrays young boxer Eryk Kulm, who escapes communist Poland to chase his dream of becoming a world champion. The film not only tells the story of a boxer but also reflects the experiences of all Polish athletes from the 1980s who escaped communist Poland in search of success and opportunities.

Art of Slovenian millennials from abroad on show in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - An exhibition called Going Global and featuring the works of the millennial generation of Slovenians who live abroad will open at the Cankarjev Dom this evening. The works by ten artists respond to the digital consumer world, explore personal stories or address timeless themes such as time and space. Most of the artists originally studied in Slovenia but later moved abroad, where they have integrated into the local art scene.