News roundup - Tuesday, 26 November, until 3pm

Restrictions on assisted reproduction for single and gay women declared unconstitutional

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court ruled that the legislation barring single women and women in same-sex relationships from accessing assisted reproduction procedures is unconstitutional. The National Assembly must amend the law accordingly within one year; until then, the provisions will remain in force. The ruling was welcomed by the government coalition, which announced that they will move swiftly to implement the court's decision. The opposition expressed concern about the welfare of children.

KPK finds no irregularities in ex-minister government car use

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) has completed its investigation into the use of the government car of former Digital Transformation Minister Emilija Stojmenova Duh which was reportedly caught using blue emergency light in Austria unlawfully. The KPK did not confirm the suspected undue influence. Stojmenova Duh, who was already facing criticism over an allegedly uneconomic purchase of computers, resigned from her post in September after news of how the car was used was made public.

Court dismisses damages suit against Sartorius Bia Separations

AJDOVŠČINA - The Nova Gorica District Court has fully dismissed as unfounded the EUR 83 million compensation claim against the company Sartorius Bia Separations by the receiver of its former majority owner, the Austrian company Bia Separations. It has decided that the matter had been settled as part of the court-mandated receivership proceedings.

Opportunities for Slovenian-French defence cooperation discussed

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian-French Defence Industry Day event in Ljubljana heard that, as the EU members are forced to increase defence spending due to the geopolitical situation, this is an opportunity for Slovenian and French defence companies, as well as those from other industries, including the automotive sector and ICT. Slovenia is in the process of purchasing several weapons systems from France.

Substitute venue for SNG Drama Ljubljana theatre wins Piranesi Grand Prize

PORTOROŽ - Architects Vidic Grohar and their transformation of a 1960s industrial hall into the temporary substitute venue for the national theatre SNG Drama Ljubljana were honoured with the 2024 Piranesi Grand Prize at 41st Piran Days of Architecture. The international jury praised the compelling transformation, saying the architects successfully addressed the contemporary needs of the theatre through a "space within a space" concept.

Number of cancer patients in Slovenia rising

LJUBLJANA - The number of cancer patients in Slovenia is increasing, largely due to the ageing of the population with a report by the Cancer Register showing that 12,288 people were diagnosed with the disease and 6,213 died from it in 2021. Two thirds of the new cases in 2021 were recorded in people over the age of 65. Of 9,319 men and 7,969 women diagnosed with cancer approximately 3,500 men and 2,500 women died from cancer, the Ljubljana Oncology Institute said.

Expert Committee on Economic Democracy founded in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - An Expert Committee on Economic Democracy was founded on Monday to promote Slovenia's economic performance, a sustainable business environment and social justice. The committee's head is sociologist Aleksandra Kanjuo Mrčela, and the American intellectual Noam Chomsky is an honorary member.