News roundup - Thursday, 30 January
Ljubljana, 30 January - Below is a roundup of major events on Thursday, 30 January:
Legislative changes announced after dorm fire
LJUBLJANA - Three people were injured, one of them with severe burns all over their body, as a fire broke out in a Ivan Cankar Dormitory for secondary school students in the early morning hours. Eleven people needed medical assistance, many of them because they jumped from the first floor to escape the fire. The building has no fire escape or fire alarm, nor is this required by law. Education Minister Vinko Logaj announced legislative changes to improve fire safety because half the dorms in the country do not have fire alarms.
Report clears PM of claims of interference in spy arrests
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed an interim report of an inquiry looking into political meddling in police work, clearing Prime Minister Robert Golob of allegations he interfered in the timing of the 2022 arrests of two Russian spies. The MPs also approved several resolutions under which the authorities will be advised to investigate abuse of classified information and strip former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar and former Police Commissioner Boštjan Lindav, witnesses that testified against Golob, of access to classified information. Both announced they will use all legal means to fight that.
Govt green-lights purchase of Patria armoured vehicles
LJUBLJANA - The government gave the go-ahead for a continuation of the procurement of eight-wheeled armoured vehicles from Finland's Patria. Estimated at roughly EUR 700 million, the deal includes 106 vehicles as part of the country's effort to set up two battalion battlegroups. The vehicles will be purchased directly by the government from the Finnish government. "The government will do its best to ensure maximum transparency in the procedures," Defence Minister Borut Sajovic said.
Coalition MP leaves party to start new faction with SDS defectors
LJUBLJANA - Freedom Movement deputy Tine Novak has left the party's deputy group and will join independent MPs Anže Logar and Eva Irgl, who split away from the opposition Democratic Party (SDS) last year, to form a new parliamentary faction. Freedom Movement expressed surprise about decision and disappointment at hearing joining Logar's Democrats, which they described as an SDS satellite, but party leader Robert Golob, the prime minister, claims the deputy group remains united.
Korean provider drops out of Krško 2 project
LJUBLJANA - Korean nuclear reactor maker KHNP is no longer in contention to build the second unit at the Krško nuclear power station, narrowing the selection to EDF of France and US provider Westinghouse, power station owner Gen Energija revealed today. Gen Energija, the state-run energy firm running the project, had invited all three providers to prepare a feasibility study, having previously determined that the three are suitable because Slovenia does not want Chinese or Russian nuclear technology.
Bill banning dual practice deemed fit for further debate
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed at first reading changes to the Health Services Act that introduce a near-complete ban on dual practice for doctors and other medical staff. While the coalition MPs labelled the bill as fit for further procedure, the opposition pointed to what it sees as harmful consequences. Medical organisations have announced they will challenge the bill in court.
Temporary reduction of network charge passes first reading
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed at first reading a bill under which the electricity network charge for households would be lower in January and February, saving households about EUR 20 million. Coalition deputies said that the new network charge system, introduced last October, is a drag on the green transition because it penalises owners of rooftop solar and heat pumps. The Energy Agency, which has been at loggerheads with the government, has said the bill runs afoul of EU rules.
Fajon discusses bilateral ties, global issues in Finland
HELSINKI, Finland - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon paid an official visit to Finland. Meetings with her Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen and President Alexander Stubb revolved around strengthening bilateral cooperation and topical issues, including the war in Ukraine. Fajon and Stubb discussed the strengthening of political dialogue and economic cooperation, as well as current international issues, including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and relations with China, the ministry said.
Pay regulation introduced for freelance artists
LJUBLJANA - Parliament passed in a 50:30 vote changes to the Exercise of Public Interest in Culture Act introducing minimum hourly rates for freelance artists when they collaborate with public cultural institutions and agencies. The changes were backed by coalition MPs, while the opposition said they give too much powers to the government.
Pensions for artists passed in re-vote, opposition pushes for referendum
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed in a revote a bill granting top artists a special pension allowance after it was vetoed by the upper chamber of parliament, which argued that it is vague and discriminatory to other professions. The Democratic Party (SDS) announced a referendum on the bill. The bill, passed in a 51:28 vote, stipulates that the recipients of 23 national prizes and awards, including the Prešeren Prize, the highest award in Slovenia for lifetime achievements in the arts, will be eligible for the allowance.
MPs pass stricter law on hooliganism, restraining orders
LJUBLJANA - Parliament passed in a 50:8 vote a government-sponsored bill that allows police officers to issue a five-year match attendance ban to violent spectators at sporting events, and expands the eligibility for filing for an extension of a restraining order. The changes to the Police Tasks and Powers Act harmonise Slovenian law with EU law, requirements of the European Court of Justice and the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the extension of restraining orders related to specific persons or places.
Chair of inquiry into party financing receives death threats
LJUBLJANA - Tamara Vonta, an MP of the ruling Freedom Movement and the chair of a parliamentary inquiry into suspected unlawful financing of political parties, has received death threats. She has reported the threats to the police, which have initiated measures to protect her. The Freedom Movement said such threats are unacceptable and have no place in a democratic society.
Mandatory computer classes in primary school rejected by MPs
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly rejected changes to the Primary School Act proposed by the Democratic Party (SDS) which would introduce mandatory computer and information science classes to primary schools. The MPs decided in a 26:48 vote that the changes were not suitable for future consideration. SDS and New Slovenia (NSi) MPs voted for the bill, while coalition MPs voted against.
Pharma exec confirmed as head of public health insurer
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed the appointment of Robert Ljoljo, former CEO of pharma company Lek, as the general director of public health insurer ZZZS. The vote was 49:2, with Ljoljo receiving support from the ruling Freedom Movement Party, the junior coalition SocDems and the opposition New Slovenia (NSi). The MPs of the opposition Democratic Party (SDS) and the junior coalition Left abstained.
New state secretary appointed at Defence Ministry
LJUBLJANA - The government appointed Boštjan Pavlin as state secretary at the Defence Ministry to replace Damir Črnčec, who submitted his resignation last week. Pavlin, director general of the ministry's Defence Affairs Directorate, was described by Defence Minister Borut Sajovic as the key operative in last autumn's Resilience 2024 national crisis management and response drill.
Slovenia ratifies convention on reducing statelessness
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly adopted on an act ratifying the UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which sets out rules for granting and revoking citizenship to prevent new cases of statelessness. Slovenia's commitment to the convention, initially announced at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December 2023, reaffirms the country's dedication to human rights and solidarity, including the right to citizenship, the Interior Ministry said.
Slovenia ratifies UN High Seas Treaty
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly ratified the UN High Seas Treaty. The document that Slovenia signed in 2023 aims to protect oceans and their biodiversity. Oceans are key for the regulation of the climate, biodiversity and global prosperity, Natural Resources Minister Jože Novak said after the ratification, adding that the world has to coordinate when it comes to ocean research and sustainable use of resources.
Krka revenue up 6% to record EUR 1.91bn, profit by 13% to EUR 353m in 2024
LJUBLJANA - Drug maker Krka increased group revenue by 6% in 2024 to a record EUR 1.91 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached EUR 518.2 million. Estimated net profit was up 13% to EUR 353.4 million. "We recorded the strongest sales since incorporation and saw sales grow in the majority of our markets, most substantially in region East Europe," CEO Jože Colarič said.
EIB group provided EUR 284m for Slovenia last year
LJUBLJANA/LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided EUR 284 million to Slovenia in 2024, the group said. Funds from the EIB totalled EUR 154 million and targetted energy projects, while investments from the European Investment Fund (EIF) amounted to EUR 130 million, focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation.