Monika Gregorčič

Ljubljana – Connecting Slovenia, an alliance of five parties, expressed satisfaction with the latest polls as they wrapped up campaigning on Friday, convinced that they will enter parliament and actively shape policy in the next term.

Ljubljana – The National Assembly endorsed at first reading on Tuesday changes to the gaming act that introduce partial liberalisation of the field and allow for multiple organisers of classic games of chance. The centre-left opposition obstructed the session. Employees from the gaming sector and charities strongly oppose the changes.

Ljubljana – A round table debate hosted by the National Assembly on Wednesday discussed the future of Europe and the role of the EU in the multipolar international environment, in particular ways to enhance the bloc’s geostrategic position through foreign and security policy action. Foreign Minister Anže Logar said a credible and safe EU was called for.

Brdo pri Kranju – Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič hosted a meeting of parliamentary speakers from the Western Balkans on Monday, saying that the EU must give the region a clear signal on when it could expect EU accession. The speakers of the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments also called for more clarity regarding the EU enlargement.

Ljubljana – The National Assembly rejected in a 46:43 vote on Tuesday a proposal from the centre-left opposition for a consultative referendum on the government-sponsored bill on the national Demographic Fund.

The bill was adopted by the government last autumn and its passed a second reading in the National Assembly in March.

Ljubljana – Simona Kustec is staying on as education, science and sport minister as the National Assembly was eight votes short of voting her out of office. 38 MPs voted for her dismissal, while 41 opposed it after a 16-hour debate, which started on Monday and ended just after midnight.

Ljubljana – The parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee gave the Infrastructure Ministry the green light to launch negotiations with Hungary on the neighbouring country’s participation in the Koper-Divača rail investment, the committee’s chair Monika Gregorčič told the press after Wednesday’s closed-door session.