Zdravko Pocivalsek

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.

Ljubljana – The Court of Audit has completed a draft report on the purchasing of protective personal equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus epidemic. The report will not be made public until the audited institutions and individuals have given their comments, but court president Tomaž Vesel said that suspicion of criminal conduct had been detected.

Ljubljana – Karl Erjavec, who is slated for a candidate for prime minister-designate by the informal KUL coalition, said on Monday after meeting KUL representatives that “it is clear that we also need support by the SMC party if we want a new government”. Talks with the coalition party are thus in store.

Ljubljana – The government confirmed on Wednesday the 2021 plan for the managing of capital investments put forward by Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH). The custodian of state assets expects 4.2% return on equity, which is up 0.8 percentage points from what is expected this year. Dividends should remain level.

Ljubljana – After meeting representatives of the informal KUL coalition on Tuesday, Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) leader Karl Erjavec announced that a motion for a constructive vote of no-confidence in the government would be filed next week or by the end of the year. He expects that the required 46 MP votes will have been secured by then.

Ljubljana – The Pensioners’ Party’s (DeSUS) decision to leave the government was welcomed by the four centre-left parties from the informal Constitutional Arch Coalition (KUL). The Modern Centre Party (SMC), which KUL would also like to leave the government, and the coalition New Slovenia (NSi) said the health crisis is no time to topple the government.

Ljubljana – Atlantic Droga Kolinska, Belinka Perkemija, TKK and iSystem Labs were honoured on Wednesday as best foreign investors for their excellent business performance and contribution to the development of the Slovenian economy. The awards are given out annually by the SPIRIT investment promotion agency and the economy ministry.

Ljubljana – The top bodies of the Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) will meet on Thursday to discuss whether or not the party should leave the coalition, party leader Karl Erjavec said on Tuesday, noting that there was pressure from the rank-and-file, dissatisfied with the government’s work.

Ljubljana – Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said he would cooperate fairly with the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, which has named him as one of eight persons under investigation over purchases of personal protective equipment in the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic.

Ljubljana – A temporary relaxation of some anti-coronavirus restrictions is a major step towards relaunching the economy, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said on Monday, noting that rules and guidelines by medical experts should be heeded consistently. Business representatives welcomed the step and urged compliance with the rules.