Modern Centre Party

Brdo pri Kranju – Prime Minister Janez Janša pledged for the government to respond to a third wave of the coronavirus epidemic, which he said could realistically be expected, and implement key commitments in the coalition agreement, as he addressed reporters with the other coalition leaders a day before a year will have passed since his government assumed office.

Ljubljana – The council of the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) is meeting today to discuss current affairs and the party’s future course of action. Unofficial information indicates party leader Zdravko Počivalšek’s role will also be discussed as some would like to see him replaced.

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.

Brdo pri Kranju – Slovenia’s political representatives and experts will meet in the first half of March in a bid to find a common ground on the exit strategy and restructuring of healthcare needs in the wake of the Covid-19 epidemic, President Borut Pahor has announced.

Brussels – Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld (Renew) has invited PM Janez Janša to Brussels to take part in a discussion on the media in Slovenia that is expected to take place in March, public broadcaster TV Slovenija reported on Monday.

Ljubljana – The heads of the junior coalition partners New Slovenia (NSi) and Modern Centre Party (SMC) have proposed to Prime Minister Janez Janša that the government invite an EU mission that would investigate the state of freedom of the press in Slovenia.

Ljubljana – The coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) has tabled amendments to the pharmacy practice act that would partly deregulate the retail pharmacy market, including by rolling back a ban on vertical integration of pharmacies and drug wholesalers. The proposal has been criticised by the Chamber of Pharmacies, which argues the existing rules are good.

Ljubljana – After yesterday’s failed vote of no confidence in the government, political analysts seem to be divided as to what this means for the coalition. While Rok Čakš believes it has made the coalition more stable and that this marks the end of attempts to bring down the government, Aljaž Pengov Bitenc expect more ouster motions.

Ljubljana – The Janez Janša government survived a motion of no confidence as only 40 MP voted in favour in a secret ballot on Monday, six too few. There were seven votes against and six invalid ballots, whereas the majority of the coalition MPs did not pick up the ballots.

Ljubljana – Some 200 people rallied against the government in front of Parliament House as the National Assembly debates a motion of no confidence in the government in Monday.

Carrying banners “Down with government”, “Government falling”, “Shame”, “Enough JJ”, the protesters wrote slogans on the pavement in chalk, and placed some banners on police cars.