News roundup - Wednesday, 27 November

SDS announces motion to dismiss parliament president

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) plans to call a vote to dismiss National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič over violations of parliamentary rules of procedure concerning a referendum motion that the party recently tabled. Klakočar Zupančič "continues violations of the rules of procedure, the Constitution and the law," the party said in a statement. It plans to formally table the motion in the coming days. The SDS accused her of similar transgressions in the past, and filed a criminal complaint against her. Klakočar Zupančič responded by saying that any deputy group has the right to give proposals in line with the law. The New Slovenia (NSi) joined the motion, while the coalition intends to defend her.

NSi preparing ouster motion against interior minister

LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) is mounting an ouster motion against Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar because of his refusal to react to an Administrative Court decision that found flaws in the appointment of Police Commissioner Senad Jušić. NSi deputy group leader Janez Cigler Kralj told the Odmevi news show on the public broadcaster late on Tuesday that the party would file the motion against Poklukar for failing to respond to the situation. Three independent MPs - Anže Logar, Eva Irgl and Dejan Kaloh - said they would contribute signatures, which would allow the NSi to file the motion.

Freedom Movement finds pressure on judiciary inadmissible

LJUBLJANA - The Freedom Movement condemned Tuesday's rally in support of opposition leader Janez Janša in front of the Celje District Court as an inadmissible form of political pressure on the judiciary, and announced action to stop such rallies. "The political rally ... was of course organised with the intention of pressuring the judiciary," an independent branch of government, MP Lena Grgurevič told the press. Grgurevič chairs the parliamentary Justice Committee and has already scheduled an emergency session for 5 December to discuss the events at the rally and "take certain decisions to immediately stop such actions". The prime minister's office also condemned the incident.

Slovenia welcomes ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the Foreign Ministry announced, describing the deal as a key step for stability in the region. It also said on X that "this shows that peace can be achieved with will and commitment - may this also inspire efforts in Gaza." The ministry added that respect for sovereignty, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remain crucial. Minister Tanja Fajon said on Tuesday she hoped that the ceasefire would be followed by lasting peace and security for the people of Israel and Lebanon.

Pirc Musar says Italian president could visit in 2025 as she meets minority

KOPER - President Nataša Pirc Musar said that Slovenia was often praised in the Council of Europe for its care for ethnic minorities but improvements were always possible, as she addressed a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the law on self-government of ethnic communities in Koper. She also met Italian ethnic community representatives, who briefed her on the challenges they face, and she announced that Italian President Sergio Mattarella would visit next year. Her office is making all the necessary arrangements for the visit, but the date has not yet been set.

EU's new Enlargement Commissioner Kos feels tremendous responsibility

STRASBOURG, France - Marta Kos, who was appointed the new European commissioner for enlargement, said this was a big sign of trust and that she felt tremendous responsibility. She announced she would travel to Kyiv in her capacity as commissioner on Saturday before officially taking office on Sunday. Kos will be accompanied on the trip by the newly elected President of the European Council Antonio Costa, who will also start his term on Sunday, and the new EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. Right after the visit to Ukraine, the new enlargement commissioner from Slovenia will pay a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More nays than ayes from Slovenian MEPs for new EU Commission

STRASBOURG, France - The European Parliament endorsed the second European Commission put together by Ursula von der Leyen, with only three of Slovenia's nine MEPs voting in favour. Moreover, four out of five EPP MEPs voted against, most of them saying they could not support a Commission with Slovenia's Marta Kos as a member. The only Slovenian MEP from the ranks of von der Leyen's own political group, the European People's Party (EPP), to endorse the Commission was Matej Tonin, the head of New Slovenia (NSi). The other two Slovenian MEPs to vote in favour were Vladimir Prebilič (Greens/Vesna) and Marjan Šarec (Renew/Freedom Movement), while all four MEPs from the ranks of the Democratic Party (SDS), a member of the EPP, voted against.

Erjavec appointed leader of newly launched Trust party

LJUBLJANA - Trust, a new centrist party, was officially launched in Ljubljana, with the founding congress appointing the project's initiator, seasoned politician Karl Erjavec, party leader. He highlighted his extensive political experience, asserting that Slovenia needs knowledgeable leaders to help it navigate its current challenges. Erjavec, the former long-serving head of the now non-parliamentary Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), who retired from politics in 2021, was the only candidate for the party's top post. He said that the party, which he is confident will make it to parliament, aimed to restore trust in politics and institutions.

Left suspends party membership of MP Kordiš

LJUBLJANA - The junior coalition Left suspended the party membership of MP Miha Kordiš, saying in a press release that Kordiš was destructive, publicly attacking other members of the deputy group, government ministers and the party. Kordiš's membership was suspended by the party council, whose coordinator Nataša Sukič, also an MP, was tasked to report Kordiš to the disciplinary commission over serious violations of the party's charter. The move comes after months of strife, with the party trying to get Kordiš excluded from all parliamentary bodies he sits on in February after he refused to resign as MP. Responding, Kordiš said he did not plan to leave the party or its deputy group.

Businesses propose measures to ensure energy, food and cyber security

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Business executives who gathered for the Slovenian Business Summit at Brdo pri Kranju presented ten measures to ensure energy, food and cyber security. They propose electricity self-sufficiency, competitive prices for businesses, farmland protection and making IT a compulsory subject at schools. The summit, hosted annually by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS), was addressed by PM Robert Golob, who mentioned the possibility of a special law to help businesses burdened by rising electricity costs due to the new network charge system. He also announced a short-time work scheme to potentially help companies maintain jobs amid declining orders.

Bid to simplify govt appointment procedure rejected

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Constitution Commission rejected a proposal to amend the constitution to transfer the power to appoint government members from parliament to the head of state on the proposal of the prime minister. Out of the 15 MPs present, 9 voted in favour of the changes and 6 were against, while a two-thirds majority was needed. In addition to MPs of the opposition Democratic Party (SDS), Jožef Horvat whose New Slovenia (NSi) tabled the proposal together with the largest two parties of the ruling coalition, voted against.

SDS demands on RTV Slovenija rejected by Culture Committee

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Culture Committee rejected on Tuesday a set of motions put forward by the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) after the cancellation of an interview with an anti-abortion campaigner prompted the party to accuse public broadcaster RTV Slovenija of censorship. The SDS wanted the committee to demand the government stop censorship and protect the autonomy of journalists, among other things. The motions were rejected after the parliamentary legal service questioned whether such appeals were admissible, because they in fact target the broadcaster, whose operations are not in the government's purview.

Public broadcaster's car attacked during Celje rally

LJUBLJANA - A car carrying an RTV Slovenija crew was attacked on Tuesday as it was passing through the Celje neighbourhood where opposition leader Janez Janša's supporters were protesting against the "corrupt judiciary". The public broadcaster strongly condemned the attack as totally unacceptable in today's statement, saying that it did not only put at risk the staff's safety but was also an attack on media freedom and democratic values. The broadcaster added that it would use all legal means to protect the safety of their staff. The Slovenian Journalists' Association (DNS) issued a statement highlighting that society must not accept verbal or physical harassment as a normal occupational risk for journalists. It condemned all forms of harassment and attacks against them.

Protesters urge stronger action from Slovenian government against Israel

MARIBOR - A rally titled For a Free Palestine was organised by three activist collectives in Maribor, featuring about 100 protesters who condemned the violence in Gaza and the passive attitude of the international community. They urged stronger action from the Slovenian government against Israel. Speakers from the Eco-Socialist Initiative Klas, Pekarna Magdalenske Mreže, and the Movement for Palestinian Rights called for measures such as immediate sanctions against Israel, Slovenia's support for South Africa's genocide case at the ICJ, increased aid for Palestinians, and an arms embargo.

Owners of flood-hit homes slated for demolition got EUR 7.5m in compensation so far

LJUBLJANA - The state has so far paid out some EUR 7.5 million in compensation to 22 owners of buildings that are slated for demolition after last year's devastating floods, Boštjan Šefic, the government's point man for post-flood reconstruction, told the press. Another 34 owners are yet to receive compensation. He expects all the transactions should be made by the end of the first quarter of next year. Most of the owners opt for the compensation rather than a substitute home, as fewer than ten people have requested the latter option so far.

Črna na Koroškem runs out of funds for post-flood reconstruction

ČRNA NA KOROŠKEM - Črna na Koroškem, the municipality in the north that bore the brunt of the August 2023 floods, has run out of funds to pay the contractors for the reconstruction work put in. Mayor Romana Lesjak thus urged the government authorities to provide additional funds by 15 December. Črna na Koroškem received an advance of EUR 5.8 million, even though the municipality suffered much bigger damage per capita than some other municipalities, and the money has been quickly spent. "Considering that Črna was the worst damaged municipality, that sum is absolutely not enough for work to ensure people's safety and normal road traffic," Lesjak said.

Air pollution in 2023 similar to previous years

LJUBLJANA - Air pollution in Slovenia stayed at a similar level in 2023 compared to previous years. The daily limits of PM10, harmful polluting particulates, were most often exceeded in Murska Sobota, NE, while Ljubljana had the highest annual average value of the particulates, shows a report by the Environment Agency (ARSO). High levels of PM10 particles are still occasionally measured, especially during temperature inversions in winter due to high emissions from household furnaces and traffic, ARSO said.

Koper research centre receives state decoration on its 30th anniversary

KOPER - The Science and Research Centre in Koper (ZRS Koper), which celebrates its 30th anniversary, received the Order of Merit for outstanding achievements in science, cooperation with the local community, businesses and international partners and for strengthening Slovenia's reputation in science, education and business. President Nataša Pirc Musar stressed ZRC Koper's extraordinary contribution to science, society and identity of the region as she decorated it at a ceremony in Koper. "Research freedom and social responsibility have guided us through all the challenges," said ZRS Koper director Rado Pišot.

Neli Filipić wins short prose prize

LJUBLJANA - Neli Filipić, an author best known for books for children and young adults, has won the Maruša Krese Prize for short prose for a collection that mixes traditional short stories with brief bursts of text. The jury described the collection Srečni Konci (Happy Endings) as a hybrid that "surprises, shocks and blurs the boundary between the seeming and the real". The prize was conferred by the publisher Goga in conjunction with the Slovenian Association of Literary Critics at the Slovenian Book Fair on Tuesday.

Photos of war horrors in Ukraine on display at Pivka museum

PIVKA - An exhibition of photos award-winning Dutch photographer Eddy van Wessel took during the war in Ukraine opened at the Park of Military History in Pivka. A collaboration with the National Military Museum in the Netherlands, War Stories - Ukraine Up Close brings large black and white photos which testify to the horrors of war. The exhibition was opened by Vojko Volk, a state secretary at the prime minister's office, who stressed that with the aim of long-term peace in Europe Slovenia will provide assistance to Ukraine as long as it needed it.

Old books kept at Škofja Loka Museum put on show

ŠKOFJA LOKA - The Škofja Loka Museum put on a new permanent exhibition of its old books, including some precious pieces that belonged to writer, lawyer and politician Ivan Tavčar (1851-1923), whose rich library had more than 600 books. The museum has kept them since the end of WWII. All books are now available in an open depot for experts to study and members of the public to see, with guided tours to be organised, said curator Simona Žvanut. The books date from the 16th to 20th century and are written in German, Latin, French, Italian, Slovenian, Czech, Serbian and Croatian.

Lucky winner scoops EUR 11.5m in Eurojackpot

MARIBOR - Slovenia has a new millionaire, as a lucky winner from Slovenia scooped EUR 11.5 million in Eurojackpot, the national lottery operator Loterija Slovenije announced. The winning ticket was purchased at a gas station in Maribor, with the lucky winner correctly matching the 5+1 combination. The winner will split the nearly EUR 23 million pot with a winner from Germany, and will receive nearly EUR 9.75 million after paying the gambling tax. The municipality where the winner has their permanent residence will receive EUR 1.72 million.