News roundup - Friday, 31 January
Ljubljana, 31 January - Below is a roundup of major events on Friday, 31 January:
Ljubljana mayor expresses support to Vučić, triggering response from president, ministry, intellectuals
BELGRADE, Serbia/LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković has sent a letter of support to besieged Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, lauding him for his achievements at a challenging time for Serbia. This triggered a response from the Foreign Ministry, which said that the letter is not an expression of Slovenia's official stance, and drew quite a lot of criticism among some politicians and intellectuals. President Nataša Pirc Musar said that while she did not comment on internal affairs in other countries, her views in principle when it came to condemning violence and supporting the right to freedom of expression were well known. A former Slovenian MEP and a group of 100 intellectuals and other public figures from Ljubljana meanwhile launched separate petitions online supporting anti-government student protests in Serbia while condemning Janković's letter.
Slovenia joins initiative for protecting election processes in Europe
BRUSSELS, Belgium/LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and eleven other EU countries, including France and Germany, have sent a letter to the European Commission, warning of a growing threat of foreign interfering in election processes in European countries. They call for firm action to protect the integrity of election processes. The ministers or state secretaries for European affairs of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Romania, Slovenia and Spain have called on the Commission "to lead by fully leveraging the powers granted under the Digital Services Act to mitigate any risks and by accelerating ongoing investigations".
General government deficit in 2024 at 1.4% of GDP
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's general government revenue increased by 11.5% to EUR 27.91 billion in 2024 from 2023 and expenditure rose by 5.7% to EUR 28.87 billion. This puts deficit at EUR 951 million or 1.4% of GDP, which is EUR 1.32 billion below that in 2023, shows preliminary figures released by the Finance Ministry. Based on the cash-flow methodology, national budget revenue increased by 12.1% to EUR 14.60 billion while expenditure edged up 0.3% to nearly EUR 15.40 billion.
Strabag picked to build northern part of Emonika commercial hub
LJUBLJANA - Austrian builder Strabag has been selected to build the northern part of Emonika, a new commercial development adjacent to the emerging passenger hub in Ljubljana. The deal with the investor, Mendota Invest, a member of the Hungarian OTP banking group, exceeds EUR 80 million. Strabag is already preparing ground for the southern section of Emonika, the contractor for which has yet to be picked.
Safety to be boosted after student dorm fire, waste station determined as source
LJUBLJANA - Education Minister Vinko Logaj announced financial support for measures to improve safety in student dorms in the wake of the fire at the DIC dorm in Ljubljana on Thursday. It has meanwhile been ascertained that the early morning fire, which has left one student in critical condition, started in a recycling station in the first-floor corridor. The criminal police announced they are investigating a suspected criminal offence of causing public danger in connection with the fire.
Debate hears about need for EU Competitiveness Compass action
LJUBLJANA - The EU should be swift and effective in adopting actual measures based on the recently unveiled Competitiveness Compass, the European Commission's roadmap to strengthen its economic competitiveness, agreed participants of a Studio Evropa debate held in Ljubljana. Taking part in the debate, organised by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovenia, MEP Matej Tonin (NSi/EPP) noted that the roadmap, which focuses on innovation, decarbonization and security, and involves a number of strategies and legislative proposals, was a long-awaited document.
Slovenia launches seven-year project to boost climate change resilience
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is launching a seven-year, EUR 27 million project to boost its resilience in the face of climate change. The EU-funded project dubbed Life4Adapt will see the Environment Agency set up a national centre for climate analysis and forecast providing detailed guidelines for adapting to climate change. According to the ministry, EUR 14.2 million for the EUR 26.6 million project will come from EU funds. A part of Life Integrated Projects (Life IP), it will run until the end of January 2032.
Event highlights CERN membership advantages
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is about to become a full-fledged member of CERN, which will provide a number of opportunities for its businesses and boost the renown of its innovations ecosystem, participants agreed at a debate hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and the National Council. The full membership will provide scientists with better opportunities to take part in a variety of projects and international research initiatives, while businesses will have full access to CERN's public calls, participants highlighted.
Landmark railway station in Nova Gorica reopens after renovation
NOVA GORICA - The Nova Gorica railway station was reopened after a major renovation, just in time for the opening ceremony of the Nova Gorica-Gorizia 2025 European Capital of Culture, which will be held next week. The early 20th-century station will now be used only for passenger transport while freight is moving elsewhere. Addressing the reopening ceremony, Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek said that the renovation was an important step towards improving rail transport in the region, bringing numerous benefits for passengers.
Maribor getting overhauled bus network system
MARIBOR - A major overhaul of Maribor's public transport system came into effect, introducing new routes, updated timetables, and additional bus stops. Inspired by larger cities that have main metro lines and smaller feeder lines, the country's second biggest city is getting a new network with six primary bus routes with increased frequency: the G1-G6 lines will connect the most densely populated areas with key destinations, with buses running every 10 to 20 minutes.
Architect Podrecca honoured with major exhibition in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - A major exhibition on Boris Podrecca opened at the Rog Centre in Ljubljana, bringing 85 works of one of the most important architects of present time a day after he turned 85. The exhibition features the works that Podrecca, a Slovenian-Italian-Austrian architect of world renown, created between 1980 and 2024. It is an overview of his international career with a focus on his significant influence on the promotion and development of Slovenian architecture.
Exhibition explores Ljubljana's urban identity
LJUBLJANA - Works by fifty artists exploring Ljubljana's urban identity and its changes through time, including the recent decades of gentrification, are on show at the Metelkova Museum of Contemporary Art in an exhibition entitled Picture (a) City. The works deal with issues such as the city's heritage and its role in the modern city, environmental challenges, the increasing influence of corporate and economic interests, and the loss of the commons. The featured authors include renowned artists and collectives such as IRWIN, Nonument Group, Tadej Pogačar and Marjetica Potrč.