Zmago

Ljubljana – Lawyer and ex-Info Commissioner Nataša Pirc Musar is in the lead in the presidential race, according to a poll conducted by Mediana for public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. She enjoys the support of 23.9% of respondents and is followed by former foreign minister Anže Logar (16.6%) and Freedom Movement vice-president Marta Kos (14.4%).

Ljubljana – The final debate of the election campaign hosted by the public broadcaster TV Slovenija last night ended in disarray after the host lost control of debate and opposition leaders walked out of the studio one by one after having their say.

Ljubljana – Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek resigned on Wednesday after he became the target of media scrutiny over lack of clarity regarding the payment of his weekend stay at an upscale hotel in Bohinj in January. He said he was “resigning exclusively due to the late payment of the bill”, and was accepting responsibility for this.

Ljubljana – All but one parliamentary party welcomed Slovenia’s offer to accept Ukrainian refugees, although there was some scepticism whether the country has the capacity or would even need to take in between 180,000 and 200,000 as suggested by Interior Minister Aleš Hojs. The opposition also raised unequal treatment of refugees depending on their origin.

Ljubljana – Prime Minister Janez Janša expressed disappointment in parliament on Monday that some should be unhappy about the good economic results posted by Slovenia, urging the opposition to compete in who does better rather than doubt about incontrovertible facts.

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor has formally informed the National Electoral Commission (DVK) that he will sign a presidential decree for a general election on 9 February, setting Sunday, 24 April, as the election date. This is in line with his earlier announcement that he would call this year’s election at the earliest possible date.

Ljubljana – The keynote speaker at the main ceremony marking Statehood Day and the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence will be President Borut Pahor, while PM Janez Janša and President of the European Council Charles Michel will deliver addresses as well. The event will be open to everyone, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said.

Ljubljana – The celebrations of the 30 years of Slovenia’s sovereignty and independence will culminate with the main national ceremony on Statehood Day on Friday, 25 June, in memory of the day in 1991 when the Slovenian parliament passed several key documents for the country to leave the former Yugoslavia and become fully independent.

Ljubljana – The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has welcomed Slovenia’s recovery and resilience plan that the government adopted on Wednesday as a huge step forward from a previous version. Nevertheless, the chamber wants to see more grant funds. The opposition is meanwhile critical of the plan, saying it lacks environmental investments.

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.