Latest News from Slovenia
Tourism season similar to 2020 expected as companies call for extension of aid
Ljubljana – The Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) projects that Slovenia’s summer tourism season will be similar to last year’s in terms of visitor numbers. Companies in the sector are already urging the government to extend certain aid measures, saying many are on the brink of ruin.
Bids value first part of Divača-Koper rail at EUR 404-463 million
Ljubljana – Two contractors have submitted financial offers for the first part of main works on the Divača-Koper rail section. A consortium led by Slovenian builder Kolektor CPG values the works at EUR 403.6 million, while the offer by Austrian builder Strabag and its consortium is EUR 463.5 million.
A year since first coronavirus case was confirmed in Slovenia
Ljubljana – It is one year to the day since the first infection with the novel coronavirus was confirmed in Slovenia. More than 192,000 have been confirmed since, and almost 3,900 persons have died of Covid-19. Slovenia has been in the state of epidemic for 60% of the time, with many restrictions remaining in force.
Križnar wins bronze in women’s large hill at Nordic worlds
Oberstdorf – Slovenia’s Nika Križnar won the bronze medal in the women’s large hill competition at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Germany’s Oberstdorf on Wednesday in what is the fourth medal for Slovenian ski jumpers there.
Biometric identity cards coming
Ljubljana – Slovenia will roll out biometric identity cards in line with legislation passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday that implements an EU requirement that all member states should start issuing biometric identity cards by August 2021.
Tomc, Zver, Bogovič did not back changes to EPP rules of procedures
Brussels – Three of Slovenia’s four MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP) did not back changes to the rules of procedure allowing the European People’s Party (EPP) to suspend or exclude a member party from its ranks. Ljudmila Novak, the fourth Slovenian EPP MEP, voted for the changes, having been one of its proponents.
Majority of news neutral, biased news more anti- than pro-government, survey shows
Ljubljana – A survey of ten major news portals in Slovenia in 2020 has shown that the majority of news, except on the portal Nova24TV.si, is unbiased. Among articles that were flagged as biased, those that were critical of the government far outnumbered pro-government reporting.
Rest of secondary school students returning to classrooms on Monday
Ljubljana – All secondary school students who have been learning remotely will return to in-person teaching on Monday, while primary school students in grades six to nine will have to wear masks at all time in class, the government decided as it conducted its weekly review of coronavirus restrictions.
Vaccination of teachers to start next week
Ljubljana – Slovenia is planning to start mass vaccination of teachers against Covid-19 next week, Jelko Kacin, the coordinator for the logistics of mass vaccination, announced as he visited a vaccination point in Ljubljana on Wednesday.
Slovenia sees a decline in joblessness in February
Ljubljana – After three months of growth, Slovenia’s registered unemployment total dropped by 3.8% in February to 88,051. Still, the number of people registered with the Employment Service as being out of a job is 13.6% higher than the same month a year ago.
Janša, Simoniti accept invitation to EP media hearing, insist on in-person format
Ljubljana – PM Janez Janša and Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti gladly accept an invitation to an exchange of views on Slovenian media with the European Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group, however the discussion should be held in face-to-face format in the European Parliament, the government said on Tuesday.
C-bank says measures helping recovery at expense of fiscal situation
Ljubljana – The Slovenian central bank says the anti-crisis measures have contributed to the economic recovery and to keeping the country’s potential afloat, albeit at the expense of public finance situation. A gradual approach and targeted withdrawal of measures will be needed so that the economy is not exposed again to negative shocks.
Počivalšek discussing trade strategy with EU ministers
Ljubljana/Brussels – Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek took part in a virtual session of EU ministers in charge of trade on Tuesday to discuss the new medium-term trade strategy that is to set the political course of the EU’s trade and investment policies in the coming years.
Centre-left seeks referendum on demographic fund bill
Ljubljana – Four centre-left opposition parties propose the National Assembly call a consultative referendum on the government-sponsored bill on the National Demographic Fund, arguing its concept is flawed. If their proposal is not adopted, they will initiate a legislative referendum once the bill is passed.
STA cuts off govt administration in funding row
Ljubljana – Two months after the expiration of public and commercial news service contracts between the STA and the government, which had previously been renewed annually, the STA restricted access to its news items for the government administration on Monday. Parliament Speaker Igor Zorčič believes the time has come for the matter to be resolved in court.