Janez Janša

Ljubljana – CIVICUS, an international alliance of NGOs, on Wednesday placed Slovenia on its list of countries to be monitored for a decline in fundamental civil liberties. Under Janez Janša’s government, civil society organisations have been undermined by funding cuts and journalists and the national press agency have been targeted, they wrote.

Ljubljana – First Vice-President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola has spoken to the STA ahead of her visit to Slovenia, saying that the country could push forward the EU priorities over the next six months as it assumes the EU Council presidency. She also discussed the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Ljubljana – Janez Janša won another term at the helm of the Democratic Party (SDS) at a party congress in Slovenske Konjice on Saturday. He was endorsed by 650 of the 656 delegates as the only candidate for party head.

Ljubljana – The Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) elected Ljubo Jasnič, a former secretary general of the party, the new party head at a congress in Ljubljana on Saturday. He received 54 out of 117 votes.

Ljubljana – Two members of the European Parliament from the Greens-European Free Alliance group have concluded their three-day mission to Slovenia, assessing that, politically-speaking, the situation was very complex, and that they are leaving the country feeling concerned.

Brnik – A new passenger terminal was inaugurated at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport on Wednesday. The expansion brings 10,000 square metres of new surfaces, including more space for security checks and baggage handling, and more check-in points. Once opened for business on 1 July, the airport will be able to handle more than 1,200 passengers per hour.

Ljubljana – Marjan Dikaučič, an official receiver, has become Slovenia’s new justice minister after the National Assembly voted 44:41 in favour on Tuesday. He succeeds Lilijana Kozlovič, who resigned due to the government’s decision to suspend the appointment of Slovenia’s members of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Ljubljana – The leader of the Social Democrats (SD) Tanja Fajon has proposed that four opposition parties forge a closer partnership, starting with a “partnership discussion” that would chart the way forward.

Brussels – Slovenia will not be able to reach the NATO target of 2% of GDP in defence spending by 2024, but it must do its homework and under the current government the spending trend has been reversed, Prime Minister Janez Janša said as he arrived for a summit of NATO leaders on Monday.

Ljubljana – Igor Kršniar, a journalist for the political magazine Reporter, has initiated a private prosecution against Prime Minister Janez Janša over two Twitter posts in 2019 that implied he was a drug user.