Slovenia Times
2. March, 2021
Ljubljana – Two months after the expiration of public and commercial news service contracts between the STA and the government, which had previously been renewed annually, the STA restricted access to its news items for the government administration on Monday. Parliament Speaker Igor Zorčič believes the time has come for the matter to be resolved in court.
The state is obligated to provide sufficient funding for the STA, therefore the government and the Government Communications Office (UKOM) on its behalf must do everything in their power for this to become reality, Zorčič, a member of the coalition partner Modern Centre Party (SMC) said today.
Slovenia Times
25. February, 2021
Photo: STA
Brdo pri Kranju – Slovenia’s political representatives and experts will meet in the first half of March in a bid to find a common ground on the exit strategy and restructuring of healthcare needs in the wake of the Covid-19 epidemic, President Borut Pahor has announced.
Addressing reporters after hosting party leaders at Brdo estate on Wednesday, he said they agreed to hold such a discussion, even though ideas of a snap election were also on the table and there were some reservations about an agreement offered by the prime minister to parliamentary parties.
The meeting discussing the way out of the epidemic would be organised by Pahor and PM Janez Janša at Brdo with Pahor saying it should be held without a delay. All heads of parliamentary parties and deputy groups would be invited, along with experts.
Slovenia Times
24. February, 2021
Ljubljana – Janez Poklukar, a 42-year-old doctor-turned health manager who has been leading Slovenia’s largest medical centre through the biggest ever health crisis, was appointed new health minister by the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Backed by 50 votes to 31, Poklukar is the country’s 18th health minister since 1990, including two who have been appointed twice.
Having been sworn in, Poklukar invited everyone in parliament to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation. “I believe there’s a key moment for change in healthcare ahead of us. Together and united for a joint goal we can achieve what we’ve been waiting for in healthcare for a long while. Our patients, staff and every Slovenian deserve that.”
E-tolling contract in parliamentary spotlight
20. February, 2021
Ljubljana – The parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Public Finances debated Friday the selection of Slovakia’s Skytoll for an e-tolling system for cars. While the opposition alleged irregularities, motorway company DARS and the Infrastructure Ministry rejected any impropriety. The MPs asked the anti-graft commission to look into the tender.
The session came at the request of four centre-left opposition parties, which quoted media reports suggesting Skytoll does not have the required experience, and that DARS had changed the terms of the tender several times, including shifting the deadline so that Skytoll was able to reference a recent project.
Slovenia Times
17. February, 2021
Ljubljana – After yesterday’s failed vote of no confidence in the government, political analysts seem to be divided as to what this means for the coalition. While Rok Čakš believes it has made the coalition more stable and that this marks the end of attempts to bring down the government, Aljaž Pengov Bitenc expect more ouster motions.
The Janez Janša government survived a motion of no confidence last night as only 40 MPs voted in favour in a secret ballot, six too few. There were seven votes against and six invalid ballots, whereas the majority of the coalition MPs did not pick up the ballots.