News roundup - Tuesday, 26 November

Restrictions on assisted reproduction for single and gay women 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.

Former labour minister tipped to become digital transformation minister

LJUBLJANA - Ksenija Klampfer, who served as labour minister in the centrist Marjan Šarec government in 2018-2020, will be nominated for the vacant post of digital transformation minister, Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arčon announced. "She's a person who knows the department and has already served as minister," Arčon said after a coalition meeting on Tuesday. Klampfer currently serves as secretary general at the Digital Transformation Ministry.

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.

Janša says rebellion against "injustice system" starting

LJUBLJANA - A large group of supporters of opposition leader Janez Janša gathered in front of the Celje District Court, where Janša is standing trial over a contentious land deal. They said they protest against the "corrupt Slovenian judiciary", while Janša labelled this as a start of a rebellion against the "injustice system". "It will last as long as necessary... We won't give up," said Janša. Justice Minister Andreja Katič decried the statements as an attempt to undermine the judiciary.

Short-time work scheme could be passed soon, minister says

LJUBLJANA - Labour Minister Luka Mesec told the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia (OZS) that a scheme of state subsidies for short-time work at companies experiencing difficulties is "almost ready" and could be written into law in early 2025. At first, the scheme was meant to take effect in case of a pandemic, natural disaster or recession, but in the face of the current crisis, the ministry added the option of activating the scheme for individual companies.

Brussels approves Slovenia's medium-term fiscal-structural plan

STRASBOURG, France - The EU Commission approved Slovenia's medium-term fiscal-structural plan, which the government had to draft under new EU fiscal rules. It has also announced that Slovenia's budget plan for 2025 is in line with the recommendations of the Council of the EU. Under the plan, the average annual growth of core expenditure of 4.5% is allowed until 2028. In 2025, it will be 5.6%, in 2026 4.4%, in 2027 4.1% and in 2028 4%. General government deficit will decrease from 2.9% of GDP in 2024 to 1.2% in 2028.

Fajon meets with Iranian counterpart Araghchi in Portugal

ESTORIL, Portugal - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon met with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. They discussed the situation in the Middle East and globally, emphasising the importance of dialogue, the Foreign Ministry announced on X. Fajon expressed concern about the Iranian nuclear programme and its alleged supplies of ballistic missiles to Russia.

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.

Major survey shows decline in reading literacy

LJUBLJANA - A Book Agency-funded survey on reading habits and the publishing business indicates a decline in reading literacy as the number of books an individual reads is getting lower and young readers are more and more opting for books in English. About 42% have not read a single book outside of school or work in the past year, a slight improvement over the long-term average, while the share of regular readers, who read more than ten books in Slovenian per year, has dropped to 13% in the last decade.

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.