News roundup - Thursday, 6 February

MPs pass bill temporarily lowering network charges

LJUBLJANA - The coalition majority at the National Assembly passed a bill reducing the electricity network charge for households for January and February. The coalition parties, which proposed the bill, argued that households that invested into the green transition should be protected from disproportionate energy price hikes. In the most expensive time band the fee will be reduced to the level of the second most expensive time band. The resulting deficit, estimated at EUR 19.5 million, will be covered by the grid operator ELES. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (GZS) said it expected measures to mitigate the high costs for businesses as well.

Annual inflation slightly up to 2% in January

LJUBLJANA - The annual inflation rate in Slovenia hit 2% in January, while deflation of 0.4% was recorded at monthly level, the Statistics Office (SURS) said. While consumer prices increased by 2% from January 2024, SURS said that a year ago the inflation rate was as high as 3.3%. Annual inflation was mostly driven by 3% higher prices of transport and by 2.3% higher prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, each group contributing 0.4 of a percentage point. At monthly level, winter sales pushed inflation down as consumer prices were on average 0.4% lower than in December 2024.

President appalled by Trump's Gaza deportation proposal

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar called for a resolute stand against the proposal by US President Donald Trump for forced deportation of Palestinians. "I am appalled that despite such forced deportations being recognised as crimes against humanity, these actions are not only tolerated today, but even proposed as solutions," she said in a statement on X, which does not mention Trump specifically. The president added that the forced relocation or deportation of Palestinians from Gaza would constitute a blatant violation of a fundamental achievement of modern international society.

Foreign Minister says visit to Syria show of support

DAMASCUS, Syria - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon wrapped up her tour of the Middle East in Syria today by meeting President Ahmed al-Sharaa and her Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. Posting on X, she said the visit to Damascus was a show of support for the people of Syria, who want a new start. Without a stable Syria, there will be no peace in the Middle East, she stressed, noting that Slovenia will always be on the side of peace and international law, so those who committed crimes must be held accountable, the ministry said in a press release.

Govt briefed on intention to cooperate with Finland on Patria deal

LJUBLJANA - The government was briefed today on the plan to sign a letter of intent regarding cooperation between the Slovenian and Finnish defence ministries in Slovenia's procurement of eight-wheeled armoured vehicles from Finland's Patria. Signing the letter of intent does not entail any financial or legally binding obligations, the government said.

Opposition NSi wants answers about Patria APCs purchase

LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) has requested a session of the parliamentary Public Finance Oversight Commission to get answers about the planned purchase of eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APCs) from the Finnish defence contractor Patria, which the party believes is not being handled transparently. The NSi believes the planned deal for the purchase of 106 Patria vehicles, estimated at EUR 700 million, is not transparent and that Slovenia will "pay more to get less," said MP Janez Žakelj.

Armed Forces planning 111 exercises and training sessions in 2025

LJUBLJANA - This year, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) will conduct 37 military exercises in Slovenia, 49 abroad, seven international military training sessions in Slovenia, and 18 international training sessions abroad. The budget for these exercises and training sessions is approximately EUR 5.6 million. Due to accelerated modernisation and investment in military equipment, the SAF will undergo an even more intensive training process in the coming years, SAF force commander, Brigadier Boštjan Močnik, said.

Young doctors turn to EU Commission over "intolerable" situation

LJUBLJANA - A group advocating for doctors in post-graduate education has addressed a letter to the European Commission, raising alarm over what they see as an "intolerable situation in Slovenian healthcare". Instead of listening to expert bodies, the government heeds the advice of "street NGOs", while people are left to fend for themselves in the face of poor access to health services, Young Doctors said. The organisation decided to take the issue to the Commission after learning that the European People's Party (EPP) was planning a fact-finding mission of the European Parliament to Slovenia to examine what the EPP sees as a worrying situation in the media and the rule of law.

Slovenia unhappy with efforts for fair elections in S Sudan

NEW YORK, US - The government of South Sudan is not doing enough for a fair, free and credible election to be held in the country, Slovenia's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Security Council Ondina Blokar Drobič said. Similar to other Security Council members, Slovenia believes South Sudan is not doing enough for the election, with Blokar Drobič expressing concern over the general humanitarian situation in the country. She pointed to the continued violence among communities, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, assaults targetting humanitarian workers, cattle theft and other criminal acts. Blokar Drobič also expressed Slovenia's unwavering support for the UNMISS mission.

MEPs send letter to EU Commission over media bill

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenian MEPs from the Democratic Party (EPP/SDS) have sent a letter to the European Commission to express their concerns over the media bill that passed first reading in the National Assembly this week. They believe the bill poses a serious threat to the freedom of expression, independence of media and the rule of law in Slovenia.

Hisense Europe posts EUR 4.2 billion in revenue for 2024

VELENJE - The Chinese-owned Hisense Europe group, which includes the household appliances maker Gorenje, posted EUR 4.2 billion in revenue and EUR 31.7 million in net profit in 2024, according to unaudited data. Sales grew by some 16%, the Slovenian-based group said. The growth was achieved in the face of a challenging market situation and outpaced the development of Hisense Europe's rivals, the group's executive vice president Tomaž Korošec said.

Slovenia's Culture Day marked in Belgium

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Slovenian community in Belgium marked the upcoming Culture Day, observed on 8 February, with a ceremony at the new premises shared by the Slovenian Embassy and the Permanent Mission to the EU on Wednesday evening, after an exhibition of portraits of key Slovenian historical figures by painter Izidor Tomaž Perko opened at the European Parliament in the afternoon. Today, a ceremony was also held at a monument in the European Quarter bearing the first verse of Slovenia's anthem, written by Prešeren, in all official languages of the EU, hosted by MEP Milan Zver (EPP/SDS).

Govt earmarks EUR 18m for sports infrastructure in 2025

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted the annual plan for the funding and co-funding investment into sports infrastructure for 2025, earmarking EUR 18.03 million for this purpose, the Economy, Tourism and Sport Ministry said. Priorities for the year are building, renovating or updating public sports facilities and improving accessibility of public sports infrastructure for people with disabilities, the ministry said.