News

At today’s correspondence session, the Government decided to set up a call centre for reconstruction after the 2023 floods on the telephone number 114. It also appointed Maja Tomanič Vidovič as Director of the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship (hereinafter: the Slovene Enterprise Fund).

At the government committee sessions, the Government agreed, among other things, on an amendment to the draft Act amending the Bloudek Awards Act, revised the values of projects for the compensation of electricity and natural gas suppliers in the current Development Programmes Plan 2023–2026 (DPP 2023–2026), and adopted some amendments to the current DPP 2023–2026.

At a correspondence session, the Government adopted a new version of the Guidelines for Innovative Public Procurement and issued an opinion on the petition of Vzajemna, d.v.z., Ljubljana, to initiate a procedure to review the constitutionality of the Decree on the setting of the maximum price of the supplementary health insurance premium, the Decree amending the Decree laying down the list of goods and services subject to price control measures, and the Price Control Act.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received a delegation of ten members of the United States Congress, nine senators and one member of the House of Representatives.

“It is the enormous scale of the damage that requires us to tackle these floods and their consequences, not only with a new act, but with a completely renewed approach,” the Prime Minister explained in the National Assembly when discussing the draft act on intervention measures to address the consequences of floods and landslides.

Presenting the draft revised state budget for this year in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Robert Golob stressed that the Government would give priority to helping the most affected people and business sectors before dealing with the rest.

At today's session, the Government adopted a decision on the use of additional loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It also adopted several other decisions and resolutions.

Meteorologist Branko Gregorčič and hydrologist Janez Polajnar from the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO), Neža Kodre, the director of the Slovenian Water Agency, Miloš Bavec, the director of the Geological Survey of Slovenia, and Srečko Šestan, the commander of the Civil Protection Service, participated in a press conference about the extraordinary meteorological and hydrological conditions in Slovenia, at which a weather and hydrological warning with updated data was also presented.

The 18th Bled Strategic Forum, this year held under the slogan “Solidarity for Global Security”, was opened with speeches by Prime Minister Robert Golob, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon. In the context of the recent floods that hit Slovenia, the forum also has a humanitarian focus.

The expected extreme meteorological and hydrological conditions in Slovenia were presented at the press conference by meteorologist Branko Gregorčič and hydrologist Janez Polajnar, both from the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO), a representative of the Slovenian Water Agency, Rok Penec, and the Commander of the Civil Protection Service of the Republic of Slovenia, Srečko Šestan.

At the invitation of the Prime Minister, Robert Golob, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, arrived in Slovenia to attend the Bled Strategic Forum. Before that, he and the Prime Minister visited some of the areas affected by the natural disaster in Kamnik. President Michel pledged continued support for Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jagan Chapagain, and the IFRC Regional Director, Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has set out the text of the draft Act Determining Intervention Measures for Flood and Landslide Recovery of August 2023 and is sending it to the National Assembly for consideration under the urgent procedure. The adoption of the draft Act will allow for the taking of urgent and effective measures to deal with the consequences of floods and landslides.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today held a meeting with representatives of the Slovenian banking and insurance systems.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob invited representatives of major humanitarian organisations to a working meeting. They discussed further measures aimed at helping people affected by the floods, including mutual cooperation and the distribution of material and financial aid and activities in the field.

At the end of the first week of August, heavy rainfall across much of Slovenia resulted in catastrophic floods and devastation. Slovenian rescue teams were joined by helicopter teams from neighbouring Hungary and Croatia on August 7th and 8th to help fortify the Mura River embankments and prevent further destruction.

In an effort to produce comprehensive solutions and measures to help everyone affected by the floods, Prime Minister Robert Golob called a working meeting with the heads of all parliamentary parties.

Below is the message by Prime Minister Robert Golob on the Day of the Unification of Prekmurje Slovenians with the Mother Nation.

Many families in Slovenia have been affected by the natural disaster. Some of them have lost everything. "The mayor and I agreed that we should speed up the procedures for assessing the damage so that we can have the relevant data in a few weeks and be able to help effectively", said the Slovenian Prime Minister, adding that the Government would discuss the first information on the measures to help people already on Thursday, and then prepare an intervention law.

The press conference focusing on the organisation of psychosocial support for residents living in areas affected by the floods was attended by the Director of the Government Communication Office, Petra Bezjak Cirman, and Head of Psychological Assistance Unit in Civil Protection System of the Republic of Slovenia, Barbara Čibej Žagar.

Below is a message from Prime Minister Robert Golob on Solidarity Day.

Tomorrow, on 14 August 2023, which has been declared Solidarity Day, all of the country's critical infrastructure will be operational, covering the energy, transport, food, drinking water supply, health, finance, environmental protection and information and communication network sectors.

After 16 hours' drive, a convoy of heavy machinery arrived in Slovenia from Uzhhgorod in Ukraine to help us in the Upper Savinja Valley.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today visited the Upper Savinja Valley as part of his working visits to the areas affected by the severe natural disaster.

At its 63rd session today, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved the draft revised budget for this year. As Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič said at a press conference, this will provide EUR 520 million to deal quickly and effectively with the consequences of the devastating floods.

Due to the immense damage caused by floods, on August 6, 2023, Slovenia requested assistance from the EU and NATO. Both mechanisms were promptly activated.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who paid a working visit to Slovenia to show support and solidarity with all those affected by the floods and to present the possibilities of EU support for reconstruction and recovery.

Prime Minister Golob met today, on 8 August 2023, with the representatives of all three associations of municipalities – the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia, the Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia and the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia.

At its 62nd regular session, the Government discussed the current situation in areas affected by raging waters and floods, and continued to work on emergency measures to facilitate response and subsequent rehabilitation. The Government also adopted draft amendments to the Natural Disaster Recovery Act (ZOPNN) and sent them to the National Assembly for urgent consideration.

Today's press conference on the current situation in the flood-affected areas was attended by the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Bojan Kumer, Minister of Infrastructure, Alenka Bratušek, Acting Director of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Leon Behin, Commander of the Notranjska Regional Civil Protection Headquarters, Sandi Curk, and Head of the Centre of Environmental Health at the National Institute of Public Health, Nina Pirnat.

Heavy rains have caused catastrophic conditions in major part of Slovenia, and lives are also at risk. all available public safety units are on the ground to provide all necessary assistance in rescuing people and minimising material damage.

Prime Minister Robert Golob spoke by telephone this morning with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who expressed the Alliance’s solidarity with Slovenia and its population in the aftermath of the overwhelming disaster of national proportions.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, together with Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Uroš Brežan and Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan, visited the areas affected by the flood in three municipalities in the Gorenjska region – Škofja Loka, Radovljica and Medvode.

In most of the areas affected by the floods, the rescue efforts are being shifted to the phase when basic conditions for subsistence and communications are being provided. Due to the extent of the damage in the affected areas, the Republic of Slovenia has decided to request international assistance through EU and NATO mechanisms.

The latest situation on the floods in Slovenia was presented at the press conference by meteorologist Blaž Šter and hydrologist Janez Polajnar, both from the Slovenian Environment Agency, Director of the Slovenian Water Agency Neža Kodre and Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan.

At today's session, the Government allocated EUR 10 million in humanitarian aid to the residents of the affected areas. The funds will be granted to two humanitarian organisations, the Slovenian Red Cross and Caritas Slovenia, which will receive EUR 5 million each. It was also agreed at the session that shops selling food, technical goods and children's equipment will also be open on Sundays and public holidays.

Before the 61st extraordinary Government session, Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.

At today’s session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia earmarked 10 million EUR in humanitarian aid for the population in the affected areas. The funds will go to the Slovenian Red Cross and the Slovenian Karitas, each receiving 5 million EUR. Another agreement reached at the session was to keep grocery, technical goods and children's equipment shops open on Sundays and public holidays.

In response to the natural disaster of national proportions, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob convened the National Security Council (NSC), which met today in an expanded configuration. As he pointed out when he convened the session, the Government, including the opposition, wants to unify the response to maximise the effectiveness of the measures for the benefit of the people.

The latest information on the floods in Slovenia was presented at the press conference by meteorologist Brane Gregorčič and hydrologist Janez Polajnar, both from the Slovenian Environment Agency, Director of the Slovenian Water Agency Neža Kodre and Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan.

The situation in Slovenia was presented at a press conference by Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec, Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar, Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan and hydrologist of the Slovenian Environment Agency Janez Polajnar.

Last night, several parts of Slovenia were hit by severe storms with extreme rainfall, causing multiple landslides, heavy floods and damage to transport infrastructure.

The Environment Agency of the Republic of Slovenia held a press conference to present the first information on the extent of today’s rainfall. In addition to representatives of the Environment Agency, the press conference was attended by Srečko Šestan, Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia, Neža Kodre, Director of the Slovenian Water Agency, and Marjan Šarec, Minister of Defence.

In the contecxt of maintaining regular dialogue and good cooperation, the Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob and the President of the Republic, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, met for a working lunch.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, met today with representatives of the relevant ministries to address the consequences of the recent storms across the country.

At the start of the European Youth Olympics Festival, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob welcomed the young athletes and wished them a successful participation.

At today’s correspondence meeting, the Government adopted an opinion on the request that the National Assembly reconsider the Long-Term Care Act.

In the current Development Programmes Plan 2023-2026, the Government has included three new projects for the budget user Slovenian Armed Forces, changed the value of one project and closed one project. It took note of the Information on the situation and the implementation of measures to prevent and contain the spread of African swine fever and appointed a special mission of the Republic of Slovenia for the membership of the UN Security Council.

The Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the 10th meeting of the Strategic Council for the Prevention of Hate Speech today.

Today, the National Security Council (NSC) held its session in the extended formation and discussed national security in the light of Slovenia’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2024 and 2025. Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob also attended the NSC session.

At the government committee sessions, the government included the construction of the unit of the Domžale Retirement Home in Moravče in the Development Programme Plan for the period 2023–2026 and gave its consent to the General Terms and Conditions of the operation of the Eco Fund.

At today's correspondence session, the Government agreed to the proposed amendments to the draft Social Assistance Act and to the proposed amendments to the draft Long Term Care Act.

This afternoon, Slovenian Prime Minister Golob visited the villages of Orehovec and Pišece in the municipality of Brežice to see the aftermath of the storms.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today paid an official visit to Croatia at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković. He was accompanied in Zagreb by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, and the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Bojan Kumer.

At today's correspondence session, the Government adopted decisions on the dismissal of the Secretaries of State at the Ministry of Health, mag. Tadej Ostrc, Tjaša Vidic and Azra Herceg. At the same time, the decisions appointed new State Secretaries, namely Azra Herceg, Dr Valentina Prevolnik Rupel and Marjan Pintar.

At today’s session, the Government learned about the Report on the realisation of self-sufficiency and the use of agricultural land drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.

A two-day summit of the NATO Alliance in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius has concluded. It was attended by the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, and the Minister of Defence, Marjan Šarec.

The women’s programme taking place on the margins of the NATO Summit of heads of state and government in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, was also attended by the Slovenian Prime Minister’s partner, Tina Gaber.

Prime Minister Robert Golob responded to media coverage of attacks on police officers:

At today's correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia agreed to the proposed amendments to the draft Social Assistance Act and will send them to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

At the Government Committee session, the Government, among other things, included the new project Strengthening Capacities in the Field of Terrorist Threats in the current Development Programme Plan 2023–2026.

A two-day summit of the heads of state and government of the NATO Alliance is taking place in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, attended by the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, and the Minister of Defence, Marjan Šarec.

Prime Minister Robert Golob informed the President of the National Assembly that he would temporarily perform the office of the Minister of Health in place of Danijel Bešič Loredan who resigned.

The Government continues to draft the budgetary documents for 2024 and 2025. The breakdown of budgetary expenditure by ministries was adopted today. The Government also confirmed the proposed amendment to the Recovery and Resilience Plan that follows the significant changes of circumstances that occurred after it was approved by the EU Council in July 2021.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, and the President of the National Council, Marko Lotrič, met today at the premises of the Government.

At today's meeting, the Government adopted urgent measures to ensure a smooth supply of medicinal products and a Dementia Management Strategy to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their families.

“The European Commission’s Fourth Annual Rule of Law Report on the Rule of Law Situation in EU Member States in 2023 shows that Slovenia has made progress in almost all areas. Nevertheless, we will continue to work actively to improve the rule of law and to take into account new recommendations,” said Minister Tanja Fajon, State Secretary, Dr Igor Šoltes, Minister Asta Vrečko, and Minister Boštjan Pokuklar at the publication of the report.

Today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, attended the solemn ceremony at the start of construction of the BioCampus, the centre for biotherapeutics development, in Mengeš.

The Government agrees to the proposed amendments to the draft Act Amending the Agriculture Act.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today attended an extraordinary session of the Economic and Social Council (ESC) to discuss the conduct of social dialogue.

At the meetings of the Government Committees, the Government increased the earmarked assets of the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship, approved the Business and Financial Plan of the Fund, and included a new project "Smart Survey Implementation" in the current Development Programme Plan 2023–2026.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the European Council meeting in Brussels. The war in Ukraine, migration, security and defence, the economy and relations with China were the key topics of this summit.

The Government adopted the decision on consent to limit the enrolment and increase the number of enrolment slots for foreigners, the citizens of countries that are not EU member states, in undergraduate and integrated Master’s study programmes, the decision on determining the proportions of collecting waste grave candles from public utility service providers for the period until 30 June 2024 and declared 2024 the year of General Rudolf Maister.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob today met with ambassadors of EU Member States at the House of the European Union in Ljubljana.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with the Chief Executive Officer of the Fortenova Group, Fabris Peruško, who briefed him on the Group's operations and business plans.

At today's correspondence session, the Government adopted the proposal for the Long-Term Care Act and the proposal for the amendment of the Social Assistance Act and a decision to recall a member of the Supervisory Board of the Public Transport Management Company.

In the light of yesterday’s events in the Russian Federation, the National Security Council met in a select meeting today.

Message from Prime Minister Robert Golob on the occasion of Statehood Day on 25 of June.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government adopted the text of the amendments to the proposed Act Amending the Health Care and Health Insurance Act, decided to conclude an annex to the Operational Plan agreed by the European Union Agency for Asylum and the Republic of Slovenia, and reallocated budget funds.

At its today’s session, the Government adopted the decree on aid to promote the deployment of energy from renewable sources, storage and heat from renewable sources, and the proposal to update the National Energy and Climate Plan. It also adopted the proposed amendment to the Agriculture Act.

The Government adopted a Decree on setting prices for certain petroleum products, amendments to the Decree on the method of determining and calculating the contribution for ensuring support for the production of electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration and renewable energy sources, and decided to make a contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross for emergency humanitarian aid to Sudan.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met for the second time with the Secretary of State of the Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin. In Koper, they discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, with a focus on Kosovo and the war in Ukraine.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the charity event "Deafblind Among Us". At the event, he took the opportunity to say that it is necessary to speak loud and clear for those who cannot do so themselves: "Ladies and gentlemen, a deep tribute, a deep tribute to your will to live, to your struggle to be heard and to your struggle to be successful."

Prime Minister Robert Golob, Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer and Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Uroš Brežan visited Krško today.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the opening of Bosch Rexroth production plant. Bosch Rexroth has been operating in Slovenia for 25 years and the opening of the new plant in Brnik will create 123 additional jobs. The investment of EUR 13.2 million will create room for growth and future activities for the electrification of mobile applications.

The government has taken note of the information regarding the distribution of profits and awards to the management of companies within the same group or in related companies that have received aid under the Act Determining the Aid to the Economy to Mitigate the Consequences of the Energy Crisis.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the signing of a contract for 20 new passenger trains and the opening of the renovated Grosuplje railway station.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today paid an official visit to Austria. He and his host, Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, discussed the close relations between the two countries, Austria's temporary border controls on the Slovenian border and the improvement of the situation of the Slovenian national community.

Every anniversary is both a celebration and an occasion for reflection. This is also true for the day of the Slovene Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA) and the 30th anniversary of its operation under this name. It is celebrated at a time full of challenges, but also of great hopes.

Following the Republic of Slovenia's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Prime Minister Robert Golob, in a joint press statement, stressed that this was a milestone for the whole country and that we would make sure that our voice is heard and taken into account.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today participated in the consultation "For a better future for older and retired persons", which was held at the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

On the basis of the implementation of temporary measures referred to in Article 15 of the Act on Emergency Measures to Ensure the Stability of the Healthcare System (ZNUZSZS) and based on analyses conducted, data were obtained on the utilization and responsiveness of the healthcare system to measures which require immediate state intervention in order to adjust the established Act.

The Government adopted the proposal for the Healthcare Digitalisation Act, instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure to continue procedures to improve air connectivity, including possible integration with existing airlines, and took note of the information on the activities of the Ministry of Defence for the withdrawal of the Republic of Slovenia from the Boxer programme.

Below is the message delivered by Prime Minister Robert Golob on the occasion of the national holiday in honour of Primož Trubar.

The Government adopts its opinion on the proposal by Members of the Parliament on the construction of the C0 connecting canal and gives its consent to the amendments to the Draft Resolution on the National Drug Programme 2023–2030.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a world-renowned spiritual teacher, humanitarian leader and ambassador of peace, who was on a visit to Ljubljana.

At the government committee sessions, the Government agreed, among other things, on an amendment to the draft act amending the Judicial Service Act, adopted an opinion on the request of the National Council for a reconsideration of the amendment to the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia Budget Act, and adopted the Eco Fund's Business and Financial Plan for 2023.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and Minister for Slovenians in Neighbouring Countries and Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon met with representatives of the Slovenian national community in Austria.

Prime Minister Robert Golob commented on today’s election of Slovenia as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 period, saying that: "Today in New York, Slovenia has achieved one of its greatest successes in international diplomacy.

In the context of maintaining regular dialogue and good cooperation, Prime Minister Robert Golob and President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar met for a working lunch.