Matej Tonin

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 – Prime Minister Janez Janša has said that he would nominate a new health minister when the MPs for the Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS), which recently left the government coalition, decide whether they will support the government or become opposition MPs. He said they have until Wednesday’s coalition meeting to decide.

Ljubljana – Defence Minister Matej Tonin is to temporarily take over the role of health minister from Prime Minister Janez Janša on Monday, the news portal 24ur.com reported on Wednesday, quoting unofficial information. Tonin reportedly already informed his closest team in the New Slovenia (NSi) party of this.

Ljubljana – Four opposition parties have filed a motion to oust Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Minister Janez Cigler Kralj over his work during the epidemic and the ministry’s decision to grant funds to an NGO with close links to the minister. They need 46 votes in the 90-member National Assembly to succeed.

Ljubljana, 20 January – Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Defence Minister Matej Tonin have congratulated Joe Biden after he was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday.

Ljubljana – The parliamentary Culture Committee voted 10:8 in favour of amendments to the act governing the STA that would require the STA English Service to report on the work of NGO as a legal requirement, amidst warnings that the STA has still not received overdue payment from the government for the performance of public service.

Brdo pri Kranju – The government on Friday pledged to continue to help companies that are increasingly struggling as the coronavirus crisis is not letting up. “We will help the economy pull through and begin recovering as soon as possible,” Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said at a press conference in Brdo pri Kranju.

Brdo pri Kranju – Prime Minister Janez Janša expects his government to continue business as usual after 15 January when the centre-left opposition plans to file a vote of no confidence. Janša as well as other two coalition leaders expect the government will successfully complete its term.

Ljubljana – Senior Slovenian officials condemned the storming on Wednesday of the US Capitol building, with President Borut Pahor describing it as an “attack on the symbol of US democracy” and Prime Minister Janez Janša expressing hope that the US democracy would overcome the crisis.

Ljubljana – Prime Minister Janez Janša spoke with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković on Tuesday to offer Slovenia’s assistance in the relief efforts following a devastating earthquake near Petrinja, south-east of the capital of Zagreb. Solidarity and readiness to help was also expressed by President Borut Pahor.