Matej Tonin

Ljubljana – The government’s decision to rescind the Boxer defence deal was not a good one, says Večer on Saturday, noting that Slovenia does not have a long-term strategic reflection on the development of the armed forces.

Brdo pri Kranju – Slovenia will rescind the EUR 281 million agreement on the purchase of 45 Boxer armoured personnel carriers from the OCCAR programme after an audit of the deal was completed, Defence Minister Marjan Šarec announced after Thursday’s cabinet session. The contractual fine could reach as high as EUR 70 million.

Ljubljana – Slovenia and Germany plan to sign a declaration on enhanced bilateral cooperation in defence, the Government Communication Office said as the cabinet took note of this decision at Thursday’s session.

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor underlined the role of the EU as the champion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as he addressed a memorial ceremony to mark the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of all Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes on Tuesday. A minute of silence was held at the National Assembly.

Ljubljana – Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the National Assembly, President Borut Pahor said that a just peace should be achieved in Ukraine. Prime Minister Robert Golob reaffirmed Slovenia’s staunch support for Ukraine as he confirmed that Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will visit Kyiv this month.

Kočevski Rog – Victims of post-WWII summary executions were honoured on Saturday with a ceremony in Kočevski Rog, an area in south Slovenia where multiple mass graves have been discovered. Novo Mesto Bishop Andrej Saje and President Borut Pahor called for efforts towards reconciliation.

Bovec – A special ceremony on Friday marked 77 years since the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army held a ski race on the slopes of Mt Mangart. The event was followed in the evening by the Slovenian premiere of American filmmaker Chris Anthony’s documentary dedicated to the post-WWII race.

Ljubljana – The National Assembly elected Robert Golob prime minister in a 54:30 vote on Wednesday, just over a month after his Freedom Movement won the general election in a landslide on a pledge to thoroughly reform the way politics is done in Slovenia.

Ljubljana – Deputies of the Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi), who are to be in the opposition in the new term, said that Robert Golob could not count on their support as the National Assembly is taking a vote on the prime minister nominee on Wednesday. They nevertheless said constructive cooperation with the new government was a possibility.

Ljubljana – Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič told the STA as he cast a ballot in Velike Malence near Brežice today that citizens always made the right decision in election. Prime Minister and Democrats (SDS) head Janez Janša, who voted in Šentilj near Velenje, expressed a similar view. Several other party heads were optimistic as well.