Luka Mesec

Ljubljana – The parliamentary Public Finance Oversight Commission is to discuss the recent decision by the motorway company DARS to pick the Slovak company Skytoll to set up the country’s e-tolling system in the wake of reports that DARS tailored the tender for Skytoll. The decision will also be challenged by one of the rivals in the tender.

Brdo pri Kranju – The leaders of coalition parties stressed on Thursday their commitment to continue working together as the government faces a vote of no-confidence in parliament. They plan to analyse the situation by 15 February, according to Prime Minister Janez Janša. A cabinet reshuffle is also possible.

Ljubljana – Two of Slovenia’s nine parliamentary parties have declined President Borut Pahor’s invitation to a joint meeting aimed at reaching a consensus on the need for the country to focus the epidemic, a post-pandemic recovery and the country’s EU presidency. Nevertheless, he has high expectations for the meeting.

Ljubljana – After protests calling against closure of schools in black-tiered regions were held in a number of towns this weekend, calls for reopening of schools from a several stakeholders continued on Monday.

Ljubljana – Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) leader Karl Erjavec has withdrawn his bid to become PM-designate until all MPs are able to vote in person, after an opposition MP was confirmed to have the coronavirus and several others still waited for the results of their tests.

Ljubljana – An informal coalition of centre-left opposition parties has filed a motion of no confidence in the Janez Janša government with the backing of 42 of the 90 deputies of the National Assembly. The crux of their argument is the government’s failure to cope with the coronavirus epidemic.

Ljubljana – The Constitutional Court has stayed the implementation of an act on EUR 780 million in investments in the Slovenian Armed Forces pending a decision on the constitutionality of the legislation. The Defence Ministry labelled the decision as “disproportionate”.

Ljubljana – The Pensioners’ Party’s (DeSUS) decision to leave the government was welcomed by the four centre-left parties from the informal Constitutional Arch Coalition (KUL). The Modern Centre Party (SMC), which KUL would also like to leave the government, and the coalition New Slovenia (NSi) said the health crisis is no time to topple the government.

Ljubljana – Prime Minister Janez Janša said during questions time in parliament on Monday that it had been Italy and Croatia’s “good will” to invite Slovenia for talks on their plans to declare their exclusive economic zones in the Adriatic Sea. This invitation came “precisely because of our reputation”, the prime minister told the MPs.

Two Slovenian opposition parties, Levica, (the Left) and the Social Democrats, SD, have submitted more than 28,000 signatures to parliament in support of a referendum against additional defence spending planned by the government.