Janez

Ljubljana – European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič urged Slovenia in a videoconference presenting his priorities in 2021 to the parliamentary EU Affairs Committee to make the best use of the funds available as part of the EU mechanism for recovery and resilience.

Ljubljana – Slovenia currently has 2% of its population vaccinated against coronavirus and if the supply of vaccines continues at current pace, 5% of the population could be vaccinated by the end of the month, said Marta Grgič Vitek, the coordinator of the vaccination programme at the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ).

Ljubljana – The five left-leaning opposition parties have filed again a motion for a constructive vote of no confidence in the government of Janez Janša, with Karl Erjavec, the president of the Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS), as candidate for prime-minister designate.

Pokljuka – Competitions at the 2021 Biathlon World Championships will start on the Alpine plateau of Pokljuka on Wednesday in what is the biggest winter sports event in Slovenia so far. Running until 21 February, the event will feature 337 competitors from 38 countries.

Ljubljana – The Slovenian Writers’ Association (DSP) has decided it will not take part in the celebration of Slovenia’s 30th independence anniversary following revelations that Prime Minister Janez Janša has banned some government officials from making public appearances.

Ljubljana – The parliamentary Public Finance Oversight Commission is to discuss the recent decision by the motorway company DARS to pick the Slovak company Skytoll to set up the country’s e-tolling system in the wake of reports that DARS tailored the tender for Skytoll. The decision will also be challenged by one of the rivals in the tender.

Ljubljana – Additional stores are expected to reopen on Tuesday following the government’s recent decision to allow in-person shopping in all stores under 400 square metres. Although the decree took effect on Saturday, most stores have postponed the reopening until today since they had trouble providing the required testing for their staff.

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor hosted the annual Culture Day event in Presidential Palace on Monday, receiving this year’s Prešeren Prize and Prešeren Fund Prize recipients. Pahor called for culture of dialogue. Author Feri Lainšček, one of the laureates, meanwhile highlighted the role Slovenian culture played in the country’s independence efforts.

Ljubljana – The Slovenian Journalists’ Association (DNS) and the Trade Union of Slovenian Journalists (SNS) have come out strongly against what they see as censorship following media reports that some government officials and advisers failed to get clearance from the Government Communication Office (UKOM) to appear on news shows. UKOM rejected the claims.

Brdo pri Kranju – The leaders of coalition parties stressed on Thursday their commitment to continue working together as the government faces a vote of no-confidence in parliament. They plan to analyse the situation by 15 February, according to Prime Minister Janez Janša. A cabinet reshuffle is also possible.