News roundup - Tuesday, 21 January

Ljubljana, 21 January - Below is a roundup of major events on Tuesday, 21 January:

One miner dead, two still missing after accident in Velenje mine

VELENJE/LJUBLJANA - One miner was found dead and two remain missing after an inrush of watery clay hit a shaft in the active part of the Velenje mine on Monday evening. The chances of the two missing miners having survived are believed to be very slim. An investigation into the accident is ongoing, while production at Slovenia's sole operational coal mine has been suspended. PM Robert Golob announced a special assistance programme for the families of those affected by the country's worst mining accident in more than 20 years. Both he and President Nataša Pirc Musar extended their condolences to the relatives and co-workers of the deceased.

Poklukar set to survive motion of no confidence

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar looked set to survive a motion of no confidence in parliament after the junior coalition partners the Social Democrats (SD) and the Left said they would abstain. The would not help bring down the minister, even if they find his conduct problematic, especially how he handled a court decision that found problems in the appointment of police commissioner Senad Jušić, who recently resigned. This was also one of the main criticisms by the opposition, which does not have enough votes to bring him down. The debate is expected to last more than 13 hours, with voting scheduled in the middle of the night.

Agency director offers resignation over coal region restructuring call

LJUBLJANA - The director of the investment promotion agency Spirit Slovenia Rok Capl offered his resignation to Economy Minister Matjaž Han in the aftermath of multiple media reports questioning the selection of recipients of EU funds in an open call for the restructuring of coal regions. The portal Finance reported last week that some of the biggest recipients of EU Just Transition Funds for the restructuring of Slovenia's two coal regions were small companies with just a handful of employees. Based on new information obtained, Spirit decided to annul the selection of two companies.

Govt passes changes to foreigners employment act

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the act on foreigners and the act on their employment on Monday, introducing seasonal work in tourism and gastronomy. The changes also transpose into Slovenian legislation the EU directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment. Seasonal workers will also be able to change employers after their permit for seasonal work expires, and foreign workers in general will be able to access a register of employers sanctioned for labour law violations.

Slovenian diplomat: Trump's policies could saw discord in EU

LJUBLJANA - Božo Cerar, a retired diplomat and former Slovenian ambassador to the US, told the STA that he is worried that the policies of new US President Donald Trump could create a division in the EU. Divisions could appear between members that would be more affected by possible US tariffs and those that would not, he believes. Nevertheless, he does not expect Trump to completely turn his back on either Europe or Ukraine.

Slovenia's top climate negotiator regrets US withdrawal from Paris Agreement

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's chief climate negotiator Tina Kobilšek regretted the decision by new US President Donald Trump that his country withdraw from the Paris Agreement, telling the STA that the move ignores scientific facts and was a risk to everybody. The EU will remain a constructive partner in international climate talks, said Kobilšek, expressing hope that the US will rethink its decision.

EU Commission in contact with govt, Energy Agency over grid charge system

LJUBLJANA - The European Commission is in contact with Slovenia's government and Energy Agency regarding the situation concerning the grid charge system. An in-person meeting will be held in Brussels on Thursday, the Environment Ministry said. The Commission said it is not concerned at the moment but is working with Slovenian partners and the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) to try and understand the situation and find a solution in line with EU legislation.

EU Council confirms Slovenia's midterm fiscal plan

BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU finance ministers confirmed the medium-term fiscal-structural plans of 21 member states, including Slovenia's, recommending that the country restrict expenditure growth in the next four years as laid out in the plan. Under the plan, the average annual growth of core expenditure of 4.5% is allowed in this period. Growth is projected to stand at 5.6% in 2025, 4.4% in 2026, 4.1% in 2027 and 4% in 2028.

Diverse views on Slovenia's energy future

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted a consultation at which representatives of energy firms, scientists and NGOs laid out their views on Slovenia's energy future. While they offered a range of scenarios, there was agreement that a broad consensus in society is needed. Most participants also shared the view that nuclear would have to be a part of the energy mix along with renewables.

Slovenia keeping close eye on Austria lithium project

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is keeping a close eye on a proposed lithium mining project in Austria, 40 kilometres north of the border, but it is not a party to an environmental impact assessment, the Environment Ministry said after a green group demanded that the government get involved. The ministry inquired about the project with Austrian authorities and was informed that the Carinthian state government decided in a preliminary procedure that the proposed mine in Wolfsberg does not fall under environmental impact assessment requirements in Austrian law.

Report: Defence Ministry state secretary leaving post

LJUBLJANA - Damir Črnčec, a state secretary at the Defence Ministry whom many consider one of the most powerful members of the government, will resign shortly, several media outlets reported. Delo, which first broke the news, says several unrelated sources confirmed Črnčec was leaving. N1 meanwhile quoted a government source as saying that he plans to "work on a project that is important for the country".

Civil protection administration takes delivery of 40 vehicles, equipment

LJUBLJANA - The Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief took over 40 specialized trucks and equipment for disaster intervention in what has been the largest project of providing civil protection and disaster intervention equipment in the history of the country, according to the administration chief Leon Behin. The purchase totalled over EUR 30 million, with EUR 6.5 million coming from the administration while the rest were EU funds.

Efforts under way to save firm employing disabled people

ŠKOFJA LOKA - CSS, a state-owned company with just over 40 employees which has a status of sheltered workshop was sent into liquidation last week in a move that surprised its workers and prompted the government and opposition to seek solutions to save the jobs of this vulnerable group. Liquidation was assessed as the only way to prevent receivership, but Labour Minister Luka Mesec said today the metal products manufacturer must be saved or workers re-employed before liquidation is over. Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) meanwhile reiterated that CSS cannot continue in the same form and at the same location under market conditions.

Doctors plan to challenge ban on dual practice in court

LJUBLJANA - The Coordinating Body of Medical Organisations decided that it will challenge the changes to the Health Services Act with a constitutional review. The bill imposes a total ban on work for private providers by public healthcare workers, something doctors vehemently oppose. The body that brigs together the Fides trade union, the Medical Chamber and several other medical organisations intends to challenge several articles once the changes are passed in parliament. The bill was sent into parliamentary procedure last week.

Doctors still opposed to assisted dying bill

LJUBLJANA - Even though euthanasia has been removed as an option and doctors would have the right to conscientious objection, doctors remain opposed to legislation on assisted dying spearheaded by the coalition. In a written statement, the Medical Chamber's ethics board said its main concern remains the same: assisted dying is explicitly against the code of medical ethics. A similar opinion was voiced by the Slovenian Medical Association at a meeting today of the Coordinating Body of Medical Organisations, which brings together the Fides trade union, the Medical Chamber and several other medical organisations.

Handball World Championship: Slovenia fall to Iceland but keep faith

ZAGREB, Croatia - Following two wins, the Slovenian men's handball team lost their third match at the World Championship in Zagreb on Monday, conceding to Iceland with a score of 18:23 (8:14). Slovenia are taking two points to the second group stage of the tournament, hosted by Croatia, Denmark, and Norway. There Slovenia will first face Argentina on Wednesday, followed by Egypt on Friday, and Croatia on Sunday. The top two teams from Group 4 will advance to the quarter-finals.

mas/mas
© STA, 2025