News roundup - Thursday, 28 November, until 3pm

Motion for dismissal of parliament president tabled

LJUBLJANA - The Democratic Party (SDS) formally tabled a motion to dismiss National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič over alleged repeated abuse of parliamentary procedure and improper conduct, charges that she has dismissed. A long list of grievances includes her decision to put an SDS motion for a referendum on special pensions on artists on the agenda of today's session instead of waiting for 30 days as stipulated by the rules of procedure. The SDS also says she has abused her office by shutting down a parliamentary inquiry that would have targetted Prime Minister Robert Golob, among other things.

MPs overturn vetoes on income tax and VAT changes

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly reaffirmed with an absolute majority changes to the Income Tax Act and the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act after they were vetoed by the National Council, which objected to several measures, including lowering the threshold for taxing sole proprietors under the flat-rate expenses system, a new tax relief for highly skilled foreign workers, additional administrative burdens on businesses, and a higher tax on sugary drinks.

Budget implementation bill confirmed in revote

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly overturned an upper chamber veto on the budget implementation bill for 2025 and 2026. MPs voted with 50 votes in favour and 20 against, after the government argued that the upper chamber will receive additional funding if need be. The government's original budget proposal, based on the National Council's financial plan, set aside EUR 3.9 million for the National Council for 2025. During committee procedure the earmark was cut by EUR 485,000 at the proposal of the coalition, a move that prompted the National Council to complain about erosion of financial independence.

Key minority organisation in Italy celebrates 70th anniversary

TRIESTE, Italy - The Slovenian Cultural and Economic Association (SKGZ), one of the two umbrella organisations representing the Slovenian minority in Italy, is celebrating 70 years with a series of events culminating with a ceremony in Trieste this evening. The SKGZ was established soon after the London Memorandum abolished the Free Territory of Trieste in October 1954, dividing it between Italy and the former Yugoslavia, leaving what historians believe were some 140,000 Slovenians outside Slovenian territories.

Boštjančič discusses digitalisation in Argentina, Paraguay

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina/ASUNCION, Paraguay - Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič, who temporarily serves as digital transformation minister, is concluding a visit to Argentina and Paraguay. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation with the two countries in digital transformation. Boštjančič also attended the OECD forum on tax transparency in the Paraguayan capital, met federal government and local officials in Buenos Aires, as well as representatives of Slovenian communities.

Slovenians spend less on online shopping than last year

LJUBLJANA - Slovenians have spent an average EUR 56 per online purchase in 2024, which is EUR 10 less than last year. However, the number of online purchases remained the same, at two to three a month, shows a survey into shopping habits conducted in June and July among 1,000 consumers. The survey, conducted by the country's Agency for Communication Networks and Services (AKOS), also shows that the average total amount of online purchases decreased compared to last year.

Maribor Puppet Theatre celebrates 50th anniversary

MARIBOR - The Maribor Puppet Theatre is marking its 50th anniversary by staging its landmark productions until 3 December. The golden jubilee will also be celebrated with exhibitions and a book launch. The anniversary marks the opening of the theatre company's first professional season on 28 November 1974 with the premiere of The Flying Cow by Bojan Čebulj, the theatre's first director.

Slovenia co-create intl youth fitness monitoring scheme

LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Faculty of Sport was among the key creators of the Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT), a battery for fitness monitoring tests for children and adolescents. YFIT aims to establish a foundation for global monitoring of their physical fitness to create a better health policy and improve physical activity and health in the long term. Slovenia's 40-year experience in the field made a significant contribution to reaching an agreement on which physical fitness tests to use around the world, said Gregor Jurak of the Ljubljana Faculty of Sport.