Political parties

The cabinet reshuffle, speculated about for over a month and finally announced on Monday was not radical but there was a subtle movement, especially at the deputy minister level, away from unelected technocrats toward New Democracy MPs.

Ljubljana – The newspaper Dnevnik takes issue in Monday’s commentary with the decision of the Modern Centre Party (SMC) to stay in the Janez Janša-led government despite his constant abuse. While agreeing that Karl Erjavec might not be the best option for prime minister, the paper says the party is also unhappy with all other potential candidates.

The country will navigate this storm brought about by the pandemic with a new parliament that emerged from the December 6 general election - whose results were a major disappointment for many mostly young reformist voters with centre or centre-right pro-EU views. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is preparing a cabinet reshuffle that will help accelerate reforms once the worst of the pandemic is over.

Despite the fact that the government will reach the mid-point of its four-year term in July, there is little information as to how extensive the reshuffle will be.

Ljubljana – Karl Erjavec, the leader of the Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) and the centre-left opposition’s candidate for prime minister, plans to push ahead with a vote of no confidence despite being snubbed by the Modern Centre Party (SMC), without whose votes he does not have the majority.

Ljubljana – The Modern Centre Party (SMC) council decided late on Wednesday not to endorse Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) leader Karl Erjavec as candidate for prime minister-designate. The SMC remains open for dialogue and cooperation with all parliamentary parties “in light of constant one-sided provocations” by the ruling Democrats (SDS), the party said.

The controversy continues regarding the allegations on the main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) lawmaker of calling the father of a university student, who was killed in the Aegean province of Muğla last year, and asking him to give up the criminal case.

Ljubljana – The National Assembly decided in a 50:16 vote on Wednesday that the latest corona crisis stimulus package, passed late last night, cannot be put to a referendum. The decision means that the law was published in the Official Gazette Wednesday evening and will take effect on Thursday.

As 2020 draws to a close, another Greek startup has been bought out, joining this year's long list. Adveos Microelectronic Systems, based in Aigio in the Peloponnese, has just been acquired by Chinese technology firm Beken Corporation for an amount said to reach $7.5 million (about 6.12 million euros).

Ljubljana – The opposition Social Democrats (SD) leadership endorsed on Tuesday Karl Erjavec, the leader of the Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS), as a candidate for prime minister-designate. The SD also backed the formation of an alternative government and filing a constructive motion of no confidence in the government.