Latest News from Slovenia
Slovenia recorded 195 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, one death
Ljubljana – A total of 3,030 PCR tests were conducted in Slovenia on Wednesday to confirm 195 coronavirus infections, a positivity rate of 6.4%, the government said on Thursday. 172 Covid-19 patients are in hospital today, including 49 in intensive care. One patient died.
Two Greens MEPs on fact-finding mission in Slovenia next week
Brussels – Two members of the European Parliament from the Greens-European Free Alliance group will be in Slovenia next week for a fact-finding mission ahead of Slovenia’s presidency of the Council of the EU.
Week in Review: Making Bad Situations Worse
Wrong Direction
The House of the National Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, 28 April 2020. EPA-EFE/ANDREJ CUKIC
Serbia's existing legislation on access to information provides a good framework - at least in theory - for those seeking to hold government to account. In practice, of course, it is routinely undermined and ignored by authorities determined to undermine transparency.
European Commission Should Be Penalized for Ignoring Rule of Law Issues – MEP Elena Yoncheva, Bulgaria
According to Elena Yoncheva, Bulgarian MEP from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, a criminal procedure must be initiated against the European Commission, as it has not yet found a way to apply the regulation on the binding of the rule of law with the allocation of EU funds.
Intl journalist associations condemn Janša’s rebuke to Mijatović
London – Several international journalist organisations condemned Wednesday Prime Minister Janez Janša’s tweet that said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović was “part of #fakenews network”. This came after her warning about deteriorating media freedom in Slovenia. The organisations agree with her assessment of the situation.
New rules for non-EU students in Slovenia raising dust
Ljubljana – Non-EU students who want to study in Slovenia must prove they have EUR 5,000 per academic year available to obtain a temporary residence permit under the recent changes to the foreigners’ act. This has upset students and universities, while the government says only the manner in which students prove they have sufficient means has changed.
Bauhaus wins first stage of Tour of Slovenia
Rogaška Slatina – German sprinter Phil Bauhaus is the winner of the first stage of the Tour of Slovenia, beating the Spaniard Jon Aberasturi by mere centimetres in the final spring of the 151.5-kilometre stage on Wednesday. Rui Felipe Oliveira of Portugal was third.
Champions had spoken, it’s now time for legs to do the talking
The 27th Tour of Slovenia officially kicked-off today in Ptuj and will finish on Sunday in Novo mesto. 139 cyclists from 20 teams - 4 of them are part of the elite World Tour - are on the start list. Special guests of the yesterday's press conference were Tadej Pogačar, Matej Mohorič & Diego Ulissi, and they all predict an exciting race.
Maribor Theatre Festival to be held in-person in June
Maribor – The 56th Maribor Theatre Festival will be held from 14 to 27 June instead of its usual slot in October, but it will be held fully in-person. Its artistic director Aleš Novak said that while many other festivals decided to go hybrid, they insisted on fully live events.
Hungarian energy group MOL buys OMV’s Slovenian service stations
Ljubljana – Hungarian energy group MOL has acquired a network of 120 service stations operated by Austrian energy group OMV in Slovenia, subject to regulatory approval. The purchase consideration for the outright stake in the company OMV Slovenija is EUR 301 million, MOL announced on Tuesday.
Oversight institutions feel being under political pressure, govt rejects allegations
Ljubljana – Tomaž Vesel, the president of the Court of Audit, is seeking support among independent oversight bodies for a statement that urges against alleged political pressure and attacks on them that are carried out in the media and on social networks. Some government ministers have reacted to the statement, largely not sharing the view.
Proposed regulation redefines STA public service, financing
Ljubljana – The public service provided by the STA would be subject to detailed new rules under a draft government regulation that the agency’s director has described as yet another attempt to bypass two laws that require the government to provide public funding for the agency and as unlawful.
Slovenia’s Zidanšek makes it to semi-finals of French Open
Paris – Tamara Zidanšek continues to make Slovenian tennis history as she has advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open. The 23-year old defeated Paula Badosa of Spain in Tuesday’s quarter-finals in Paris in three sets (7:5, 4:6 and 8:6).
No parliament debate on opposition Left’s political programme
Ljubljana – Speaker Igor Zorčič will not call a plenary session to debate the opposition Left’s party programme after the coalition Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi) requested this last week, arguing the programme contained elements suggesting the Left could act against the country’s constitutional order.
Slovenia increasingly more attractive for German companies
Ljubljana – Slovenia remains an attractive business location for German companies, shows this year’s survey carried out by the German chambers of commerce in 15 Central and Eastern European countries. German investors are highly interested in further investing in Slovenia, heard a press conference by the German-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce.