Zmago Jelinčič

Ljubljana – Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek resigned on Wednesday after he became the target of media scrutiny over lack of clarity regarding the payment of his weekend stay at an upscale hotel in Bohinj in January. He said he was “resigning exclusively due to the late payment of the bill”, and was accepting responsibility for this.

Ljubljana – Prime Minister Janez Janša expressed disappointment in parliament on Monday that some should be unhappy about the good economic results posted by Slovenia, urging the opposition to compete in who does better rather than doubt about incontrovertible facts.

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor has formally informed the National Electoral Commission (DVK) that he will sign a presidential decree for a general election on 9 February, setting Sunday, 24 April, as the election date. This is in line with his earlier announcement that he would call this year’s election at the earliest possible date.

Ljubljana – The keynote speaker at the main ceremony marking Statehood Day and the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence will be President Borut Pahor, while PM Janez Janša and President of the European Council Charles Michel will deliver addresses as well. The event will be open to everyone, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said.

Ljubljana – The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has welcomed Slovenia’s recovery and resilience plan that the government adopted on Wednesday as a huge step forward from a previous version. Nevertheless, the chamber wants to see more grant funds. The opposition is meanwhile critical of the plan, saying it lacks environmental investments.

Ljubljana – Four centre-left opposition parties have tabled a motion asking the National Assembly to impeach Prime Minister Janez Janša before the Constitutional Court, accusing him of violating several articles of the constitution and laws, pertaining to healthcare, media, prosecution and human and constitutional rights. Janša called the move pathetic.

Ljubljana – After consulting heads of parliamentary factions, President Borut Pahor has narrowed down the list of candidates for consideration to put forward to the National Assembly in a renewed attempt to fill a vacancy on the governing board of the central bank and one on the Constitutional Court.

Certain members of the ruling coalition parties and (formal) opposition parties chose not to support Karel Erjavec as the new prime minister.

Erjavec thus received only 40 of the 46 votes he needed. Having survived the no-confidence vote, Jansa can now continue disassembling state institutions and dealing with anyone critical of his government.

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.

Ljubljana – Two of Slovenia’s nine parliamentary parties have declined President Borut Pahor’s invitation to a joint meeting aimed at reaching a consensus on the need for the country to focus the epidemic, a post-pandemic recovery and the country’s EU presidency. Nevertheless, he has high expectations for the meeting.