Government Communications Office

Ljubljana – The government has adopted a regulation that details how the STA should perform its public service, and defines the scope of public service and its financing. The Government Communications Office (UKOM) is authorised to sign an annual public service agreement and verify compliance with the regulation.

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.

Athens – Prime Minister Janez Janša presented the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency at the Delphi Economic Forum in Athens on Monday before meeting his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis and European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas. He highlighted resilience to health crises and cyber attacks, and the European way of life.

The International Press Institute, IPI, on Friday accused Prime Minister Janez Jansa of putting intense pressure on Bojan Veselinovic, director of the Slovenian Press Agency, STA, saying that this pressure "reaches worrying new heights".

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor insists that financing of the public service performed by the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) must be restored, his office told the STA after the president yesterday tweeted that the agency plays an irreplaceable role.

Pahor served as prime minister when the act governing the STA was adopted, securing the agency’s editorial and financial independence.

Ljubljana – The government has confirmed an electronic identification and trust services act, legislation that will make it possible to use the new biometric ID cards as electronic identification.

Ljubljana – Four centre-left opposition parties have tabled a motion asking the National Assembly to impeach Prime Minister Janez Janša before the Constitutional Court, accusing him of violating several articles of the constitution and laws, pertaining to healthcare, media, prosecution and human and constitutional rights. Janša called the move pathetic.

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.

The Slovenian Journalists' Association, DNS, has complained of "new forms of lowering journalistic freedom" in the country following reports that the Government Communications Office, UKOM, has withheld permission for officials to appear on news shows.

Ljubljana – The government adopted a new stimulus bill on Monday, with the extension of the furlough scheme and minimum wage subsidies as the key measures that are to help companies weather the epidemic.