News roundup - Tuesday, 17 September

Slovenia gets enlargement portfolio in new European Commission

STRASBOURG, France - Slovenia's candidate for European commissioner Marta Kos will be in charge of the enlargement portfolio in the new European Commission, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced, a decision the government welcomed as a great recognition of Slovenia's reputation in the bloc. Von der Leyen also released a letter she had sent to PM Golob a letter in which she expressed her reservations regarding Slovenia's initial candidate Tomaž Vesel. The parliamentary EU Affairs Committee will interview Kos tomorrow after the opposition chair refused to call a session for a week, demanding to see the letter. Golob rejected allegations of political pressure from Brussels, while opposition leader Janez Janša said the letter proved he was lying.

Freedom Movement MP Sajovic named defence minister candidate

LJUBLJANA - Borut Sajovic, deputy group leader for the ruling Freedom Movement, was named candidate for defence minister. Sajovic would succeed Marjan Šarec, who has been elected a member of the European Parliament. An experienced politician with a long track record, Sajovic served two terms as Liberal Democrat MP prior to the current term, between 2004 and 2011. While defence trade unions were reserved in their judgement, parliamentary parties pointed to his track record as an experienced politician. Sajovic told the STA that the ministry he is about to take over is in good shape.

Education minister resigns in surprise move, replacement picked

LJUBLJANA - Education Minister Darjo Felda tendered his resignation, with Prime Minister Robert Golob expected to nominate Vinko Logaj, director of the Education Institute. Announcing the news, Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arčon said Felda had expressed his desire to return to academia, but would not say whether Golob was satisfied with Felda's work. The move came as a surprise to most parliamentary parties, except to opposition New Slovenia (NSi), whose head Matej Tonin said the department was facing many serious issues. Headteachers' associations were also surprise, while the teachers' union SVIZ said the move was expected after previously criticising his work.

Bill confirmed to ease prison overcrowding, staff shortages

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed in a partisan 46:23 vote legislation that provides stop-gap measures aimed at mitigating staff shortages and overcrowded conditions in prisons. The amended Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act determines when circumstances arise to trigger a heightened security alert. In the event of such, the government would be allowed to impose several temporary measures by decree. Justice Minister Andreja Katič told MPs that the situation in Slovenian prison is "alarming" with the latest data showing they are at 140% capacity.

SDS wants referendum on parliamentary inquiry amendments

LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) initiated procedures for a referendum on the recently amended Parliamentary Inquiry Act, which the opposition party claims hamstrings inquiries and is designed to shield the prime minister from parliamentary scrutiny. The key provision of the amendments is that the Constitutional Court may be asked to examine the constitutionality of the parliamentary decision initiating an inquiry. Until such a decision is forthcoming, a parliamentary inquiry cannot be launched.

Slovenia sending aid to flood-hit countries, expresses solidarity with Portugal over wildfires

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will send post-flood emergency aid units and material aid worth up to EUR 600,000 to countries of Central and Southeastern Europe that were hit by devastating floods in the last few days, the government said. President Nataša Pirc Musar expressed her solidarity with the affected countries. Pirc Musar and the Foreign Ministry also expressed solidarity with Portugal, which has been battling wildfires since last weekend.

Civil initiative, NSi table separate healthcare bills

LJUBLJANA - Changes to the Health Services Act drafted by the civil initiative Voice of the People were tabled in the National Assembly by the Left MP Miha Kordiš and independent MP Mojca Šetinc Pašek. The initiative believes the bill clearly demarcates public and private healthcare unlike the draft bill by the Health Ministry. Meanwhile, New Slovenia (NSi) said it was mounting a third attempt to pass a bill that it says would cut waiting times by paying private practitioners for services out of the public health insurance.

Businessmen join forces to invest in nuclear expansion

LJUBLJANA - Prominent businessmen Igor Akrapovič, Jure Knez and Radko Luzar have launched an initiative designed to convince the government to let the corporate sector invest in construction of unit two at the Krško nuclear power station, potentially in exchange for fixed energy prices over the long term. The group has conducted a detailed study and thinks Krško 2 is the only logical way to achieve green transition targets and ensure Slovenia remains self-sufficient. Akrapovič said the involvement of business is beneficial and would improve transparency because executives are mindful what happens with their money.

Apple devices now speak Slovenian

LJUBLJANA - All Apple devices that are compatible with the new iOS 18 mobile operating system make Slovenian available as a language option since Monday night, five months after the Slovenian parliament expanded provisions on the public use of the Slovenian language to modern digital gadgets. The Culture Ministry noted that Apple was the first major corporation that has complied with the amended Public Use of the Slovenian Language Act.

Strong demand for govt laptops after eligibility expanded

LJUBLJANA - The Digital Transformation Ministry has received 11,000 applications for laptops that it plans to lease to students after eligibility was expanded, more than it currently has in stock. Now that applications are open to all families in the bottom six out of nine income brackets, demand is outstripping supply and more than 150 applications are coming in daily, the ministry told the STA. The call is open until 30 September.

Business reps leave tax advisory body

LJUBLJANA - The only two business representatives on the strategic council for taxes have left the government advisory body after the government confirmed a set of tax laws that business associations oppose, five business associations said, adding that the strategic council had not resulted in the desired agreements and consensus. The move came after multiple organisations representing the corporate sector warned at a session of the Economic and Social Council last week that the government had confirmed tax laws before consulting social partners.

Over EUR 40m available for power grid upgrade

LJUBLJANA - The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy has made available just under EUR 42 million in EU recovery and resilience funds to energy distributors for upgrade and construction of new low-voltage distribution networks. The goal is to modernise the grid to better handle household solar, heat pumps and electric cars. The aim is to fund the construction of nearly 350 new transformers and 730 kilometres of networks.

Roma village shooting result of dispute between families

NOVO MESTO - A criminal investigation into a 8 September shooting in the Roma village of Šmihel in south Slovenia in which a young girl suffered gunshot wounds has confirmed preliminary reports that the shooting was the culmination of a dispute between two Roma families. After the shooter was taken into custody, his house was burnt down. Two days later, a trailer he owns burnt down as well. Police suspect arson and the investigation is ongoing.

Jure Novak appointed Cankarjev Dom director

LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Asta Vrečko appointed Jure Novak, director of the Kranj theatre, as director general of the Cankarjev Dom arts centre to replace Uršula Cetinski in the wake of allegations against her. Vrečko found Novak to be the most competent candidate to take the post, the Culture Ministry said. Novak said he was grateful and was looking forward to the work with the exceptional team.

Jan Tratnik to join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian cyclist Jan Tratnik will be joining Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe to race alongside cycling ace Primož Rogljič as of next year, the team said, adding that Tratnik will bring valuable experience to the team. The 34-year-old has competed in all monuments, all the Grand Tours, world championships and the Olympics and is having his most successful season yet.

Major film award goes to costume designer Zvonka Makuc

PORTOROŽ - Costume designer Zvonka Makuc will receive the Milka and Metod Badjura Award for lifetime achievement in film, announced the Festival of Slovenian Film. She has created costumes for many award-winning Slovenian and international feature films. The award will be presented on 22 October, at the opening of the festival.