News roundup - Tuesday, 5 November

SDS filing motion to oust Finance Minister Boštjančič

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Democrats announced they would file a motion to oust Finance Minister Klemen Boštjanič. They accuse him of negligence in office, mismanagement of public funds, misleading the public in the courts palace affair, and abuse of power. Central to the party's concerns is his handling of the overpriced late 2023 purchase of dilapidated premises in Ljubljana meant to house a new courts complex. Boštjančič denied the allegations and the coalition parties said the ouster motion came as no surprise.

Golob and Costa discuss topical issues

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted Antonio Costa, president-elect of the European Council, who will take up the post in December. The two talked about the Council's working methods and exchanged views on the topical issues, focusing on EU enlargement, the situation in the Western Balkans and Ukraine and other topics that will be discussed at the Council's meetings until the end of the year.

Fajon promoting economic cooperation with Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya - As part of her visit to Kenya, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon called for greater economic cooperation between Slovenia and Kenya, especially in renewable energy sources, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, tourism and beekeeping. Slovenia plans to cover Kenya diplomatically from the recently opened embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Slovenia calling for final status of Abyei area to be determined

NEW YORK, US - Determining the status of the Abyei area between Sudan and South Sudan is crucial and requires strong political will of both countries, Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Žbogar said during a UN Security Council meeting. After South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011, a war broke out between the countries for the control of the Abyei area. The oil-rich area is currently controlled by South Sudan but the decision process about its status has not been finalised.

Veteran politician Lojze Peterle leaves New Slovenia party

LJUBLJANA - Lojze Peterle, Slovenia's first prime minister and a prominent, long-time member of New Slovenia (NSi), has left the party. He informed them of his decision on Monday, said NSi leader Matej Tonin, who has been the target of Peterle's criticism in recent weeks. The junior opposition party regrets Peterle's decision. Meanwhile, Peterle told the STA he no longer felt at home in the party, which he believes has stopped fostering the climate that helped the party's predecessor SKD convince voters in the past.

Analyst: Peterle and Logar's moves signal generational shift on the right

LJUBLJANA - Former PM Lojze Peterle quitting New Slovenia (NSi) and MP Anže Logar recently quitting the Democrats (SDS) marks a generational break in the conservative camp, says analyst Luka Lisjak Gabrijelčič. While Peterle would like the NSi to move more to the right, Logar is directed towards the centre-ground, so "I doubt they will meet half way". He attributed Peterle's quitting the NSi to his different view on how the party should act, as Peterle promotes more right-wing politics than pursued by Tonin.

Severe staffing crisis in education said to be near breaking point

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian education institutions have been grappling with an escalating staffing crisis for several years, with the quality of the education now in peril. A survey has revealed a shortage of nearly 7,000 qualified professionals, including teachers and educational staff, causing significant challenges in delivering quality teaching and care. The Association of Principals and Deputy Principals of Slovenia urged sweeping changes in employment practices and working conditions to attract young people to the teaching profession and ensure stability in the education system.

Slovenia meets 25% RES target for first time

LJUBLJANA - The share of renewable energy in Slovenia's gross final energy consumption reached 25.07% last year, show data released by the Statistics Office. Slovenia thus for the first time met its target of a 25% renewable energy share, thereby avoiding the need to pay for statistical transfers from other countries, as it had in the previous three years.

R&D funds slightly up to EUR 1.4bn in 2023

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's gross domestic spending on research and development (R&D) increased by 1.1% to EUR 1.36 billion in 2023 from 2022, with nearly 26,000 people working in this field, show the latest data released by the Statistics Office. R&D spending thus accounted for 2.13% of the country's GDP, up from 2.10%.

Postal company says strike announcement premature

LJUBLJANA - Responding to the Postal Workers' Trade Union's decision to go on strike on 22 November until its demands for better working conditions are met, national postal company Pošta Slovenija labelled the announcement as premature. The two sides reached a deal amid a looming strike in May but the union says the deal is not being honoured.

Biotech company partners up with BASF to make fatty alcohols

LJUBLJANA/LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany - The Slovenian biotechnology company Acies Bio has concluded a partnership with the German chemical producer BASF to further develop a platform for fermentation technology from methanol for the production of fatty alcohols, which are used in the production of home and personal care products.

Eurowings applies for subsidised routes to Berlin and Düsseldorf

LJUBLJANA - Eurowings, the low-cost airline affiliated with Germany's Lufthansa Group, has applied for Slovenia's sixth public call to enhance air connectivity. With state financial support, Eurowings aims to connect Ljubljana with Berlin and Düsseldorf, the Ministry of Infrastructure said. While the ministry's grant allocation committee is set to meet this week to assess the application, Eurowings wants to launch both routes in April 2025.

Palestinian culture festival and exhibition open in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - The 13th annual festival termed Cultural Embassy of Palestine, this year focusing on cultural genocide and ways to preserve Palestinian cultural heritage, is opening in Ljubljana today. An exhibition on the Gaza Strip is also opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (MSUM). The two-day festival will feature a talk about the destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage in the time of genocide.

Six Slovenian songs included in first EU Song Book

LJUBLJANA - Six Slovenian iconic songs, including one by the Avsenik Ensemble and the theme song of the first Slovenian colour feature film, are featured in the first EU Song Book, launched after a decade in the making. The book, available in physical form and as an app, features a total of 164 songs, six from each of the 27 EU member states, chosen in public votes by over 87,000 EU citizens.

Roma in Slovenia speak two distinct dialects

LJUBLJANA - The Roma around the globe celebrate the World Day of Romani Language on 5 November. There are an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 Roma in Slovenia, who largely speak two different dialects. Those in the northeast do not understand those in the southeast and there is little literature written in this language, while children do not learn Romani at school.

Katarina Čas to appear in new BBC drama

LJUBLJANA - Katarina Čas, the Slovenian actress best known internationally for her role in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, has been cast in Wild Cherry, a new BBC series written by BAFTA winner Nicôle Lecky. The 48-year-old actress will appear in a supporting role in all six parts of the series. She told the STA she is happy about the role in what she described as a brilliant ensemble cast.