News

In this difficult situation for the entire European Union, we need our positions to be firm and uniform. Any uncoordinated political action is unnecessary and out of place. On the first anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, we need political unity both at home and at the European level.

On behalf of the Prime Minister Robert Golob, the State Secretary for National and International Security in the Prime Minister's Office, Andrej Benedejčič, received the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer from the Netherlands.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, for the first official visit to Slovenia. The high-level visit from Spain is the first official visit of a foreign leader at the Prime Minister’s invitation. The first head of the Spanish executive branch to pay an official visit to Slovenia was José María Aznar, who came here 22 years ago.

At today's correspondence session, the Government adopted a proposal to call a public hearing and hear witnesses and experts in the proceedings to review the constitutionality of the Act Amending the Radiotelevizija (RTV) Slovenija Act. The Government will send the proposal to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia.

At today's Correspondence Session, the Government amended the Decree determining the amount of excise duty on energy products and electricity and appointed new employers' representatives to the General Assembly of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia.

Vlada je na današnji dopisni seji sklenila, da bo Siriji zagotovila materialno pomoč za blažitev posledic potresa. Seznanila se je tudi s parafiranim sporazumom o reševanju stavkovnih zahtev in odložitvi stavke zaposlenih v Finančni upravi Republike Slovenije.

On 9 February 2023, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the special meeting of the European Council in Brussels. The leaders’ agenda included the situation in Ukraine and possibilities for further EU support, the economy and migration. They also discussed the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the main guest of the first part of the meeting.

At today’s correspondence meeting, the government adopted a draft amendment to the Insurance Act and a regulation on direct payments under the strategic plan of the Common Agricultural Policy and on the implementation of interventions in the apiculture products sector. It also confirmed emergency temporary support for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At the correspondence meeting, the government agreed to provide humanitarian aid to the people of the Republic of Turkey and the Syrian Arab Republic in the wake the earthquake.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved a motion to provide material assistance to the Republic of Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, in accordance with the request. The total value of the material assistance is 451,400 EUR.

Below is the message by Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob on Slovenian Culture Day.

At today's correspondence session, the Government decided that Slovenia will send experts to Türkiye to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations following the catastrophic earthquake.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today sent a proposal for a new Minister of the Interior to the National Assembly, nominating Boštjan Poklukar as the candidate.

The Government laid down the text of the proposed Act Amending the Administrative Dispute Act and withdrew the proposed Act on the temporary bonus for judges and state prosecutors from the legislative procedure.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob hosted the fourth meeting of coalition deputies and the government team at Brdo pri Kranju. The coalition continued the discussion of the Government’s priority tasks and starting points for this year’s reforms. The meeting focused on the reform of the public sector salary system and the housing policy. The two objectives are that no salaries in the public sector are to be below the minimum wage and the housing stock should be more affordable for all social groups.

At today's correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved the proposed amendments to the Act amending the State Administration Act, which, in addition to a more precise delimitation of the subject areas, tasks and system competences of ministries (in accordance with the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Act), also propose the possibility of transferring local competences from one administrative unit to another administrative unit in the event of a large number of cases that cannot be resolved within a reasonable time by the locally competent administrative unit.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with João Gomes Cravinho, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, before the coalition summit. Their talks focused on the key topics of the agenda of the European Union. The Portuguese foreign minister expressed his country’s full support for Slovenia’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

The Strategic Council for Nutrition met today at its second meeting. The members of the council set the starting points for further work in the field of food price comparison and the reform of the student food voucher system. Due to the extensive discussion, the agenda items relating to the presentation of Slovenia’s current national nutritional guidelines and the presentation of the Nordic guidelines were moved to the next meeting.

At sessions of government committees, the Government gave its consent to proposed amendments to the Act Amending the Agriculture Act and carried out certain transfers of appropriations.

When sports came under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the basis was created to seek increased synergies between these three fields. The newly appointed Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sports, Matjaž Han, and his partners presented plans in the field of tourism and sports for the current year and highlighted the key measures.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today first met with the President of the National Council, Marko Lotrič.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, hosted their first reception for the Diplomatic Corps at the beginning of the year.

The Strategic Health Council, an advisory body to the Prime Minister, met for its inaugural meeting today.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno.

At today's session, the Government adopted amendments to the laws governing the state administration, scientific research and innovation and the Slovenian Armed Forces. It also amended the Decree on setting natural gas prices from the system and approved the text of its contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, attended the 26th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju and addressed the heads of diplomatic and consular missions. He highlighted Slovenia's foreign policy priorities and called for unity in re-establishing Slovenia as a full-fledged country of core Europe. We must turn our foreign policy focus towards the world.

Today’s taking of the oath by ministers in the National Assembly marks the beginning of a new era in the government term of Dr Robert Golob. The establishment of an efficient organisational structure of ministries will ensure better operability and more successful implementation of the Government’s tasks on the basis of the commitments from the Coalition Agreement.

At today’s session, the Government appointed several state secretaries at the newly established ministries.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the third meeting of mayors traditionally organised by the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia.

At today's correspondence session, the Government adopted decrees on the pricing of heat from district heating and on subsidies for the purchase of wood pellets.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia took note of the Annex to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in the Republic of Slovenia and the Annex to the Collective Agreement for Research Activities.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob, together with Minister of Economic Development and Technology Matjaž Han and Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič, visited the company Hella Saturnus Slovenija, where they were acquainted with the production, investments and new trends in the automotive industry.

At today's session the Government adopted the Decree on compulsory health insurance service programmes, the capacities required for their implementation and the volume of funds for 2023. It also confirmed the final estimate of the direct damage to property caused by the floods of last September.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the third meeting of the government ministers with coalition MPs in Brdo pri Kranju. This time, the meeting was entirely devoted to healthcare reform.

The Government has amended the Decree determining the amount of excise duty on energy products and electricity, with which it changes the excise duty on automotive gas oil and for heating gas oil.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today visited the Celje General Hospital and attended the opening ceremony for a new building with heliport.

Prime Minister Robert Golob took part in the National Assembly in a debate called For a Better Future of Animals, which looked to create solutions to improve animal protection and welfare.

Today, the interministerial working group for healthcare started its work, which is being coordinated directly by the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob.

The Prime Minister Robert Golob and the President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar met today for their first working lunch. Both recognise the importance of open and regular dialogue for enhanced future cooperation between the institutions. Direct and continuous dialogue between the highest-ranking state officials can contribute to finding solutions for a better future and solidify the true position of politics in society. They committed themselves to constructive cooperation both in domestic affairs and in the coordination of international activities for the benefit of the Republic of Slovenia.

At today’s session, the Government became acquainted with the initialled agreement on resolving the strike demands of FIDES and authorised the Minister of Health to sign the agreement. It also adopted the proposed amendments to the Act determining aid to the economy to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis and the proposed Act on the aid to provide greater air connectivity.

A meeting with the representatives of the network of NGOs, the Voice of the People, took place at the Prime Minister's Office today.

Today, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob received the representatives of the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference at the Podrožnik Villa.

Today, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob attended the session of the Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia and the extraordinary session of the annual general meeting of the Slovenian Association of Judges.

The Strategic Council for Nutrition, an advisory body to the Prime Minister, met today at its constitutive session. Its key task is to draft proposals of measures for affordable, safe and high-quality food which will have a minimum negative impact on human health, the environment and climate. The Council will also prepare proposals and expert guidelines for the update of national dietary guidelines, food waste reduction, raising awareness among the public about the need to change dietary habits due to health, environmental and climate aspects, and implement other tasks.

The Government adopted a decision on the implementation of the national spatial plan for the Dolenja Vas wind farm and approved the calendar of state celebrations in 2023. It also decided to organise a funeral with military honours for Janez Zemljarič.

Prime Minister offers his condolences on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI:

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government adopted a Decree on the determination of the electricity price for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that are final customers as defined by the Electricity Supply Act and provisionally set maximum retail prices for them.

At its correspondence meeting, the Government adopted the Decree about the animal welfare intervention of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023–2027 for Slovenia in the year 2023 and the Decree on Conditionality. It also gave its consent to the Business Plan of the Agency for Radwaste Management for 2023–2024 and concluded the Contract on the implementation of the compulsory State utility service for radioactive waste management.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government adopted a new draft Transnational Provision of Services Act and issued an amendment to the Decree on the establishment of programmes of compulsory health insurance services.

Esteemed President of the Republic of Slovenia, Esteemed President of the National Assembly, Esteemed President of the National Council, Citizens of the Republic of Slovenia,

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government adopted a decision on the subsequent cash injections into ELES, d.o.o., the system operator of the electricity transmission network.

At today's session, the Government adopted a Decree on setting the price of natural gas from the gas system for certain legal persons governed by public law, for providers of publicly valid education and training programmes, for providers of social care services, and for providers of family support programmes.

The Prime Minister established the Strategic Council for Food (the Council), which is currently comprised of 15 representatives of various professions and sectors. The Council is headed by Dr Nataša Fidler Mis, a food technology expert with an MA and a PhD in this field. The Council composition is being expanded and is expected to be completed next month when the Council holds its constitutive session.

At the Government committee meetings, the Government adopted, among other things, the Revision of the Eco Fund Business and Financial Plan, and the Revision of the Housing Fund Business and Financial Plan, as well as the inclusion of a large number of agricultural and research projects in the current Development Programmes Plan.

After the agreement on capping the price of natural gas reached at the EU ministerial level, Prime Minister Robert Golob has already met with the representatives of employers at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (CCIS).

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the Holy See today, on 17 December 2022. He was received by Pope Francis in a private audience.

After yesterday’s historic decision of the European Council to grant the status of candidate country to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prime Minister Robert Golob announced that he would visit Sarajevo and pledged technical and development assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prime Minister Golob and President Pahor agree that the adoption of the Slovenian initiative is above all an important message of hope for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Today's agreement by the leaders of the EU member states on granting the EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most important geostrategic and political decisions made by the EU in the recent period.

Today, on 15 December 2022, Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending the European Council meeting in Brussels. In the discussion, EU leaders are focusing on further assistance to Ukraine, energy, the EU's global competitiveness and its enlargement policy.

At today’s session, the Government adopted a proposal for an amendment to the Roads Act, issued a Decree granting the concession for the dental sector, and adopted the Digital Public Services Strategy 2030. In the Development Programmes 2022-2025, the Government included 15 projects totalling EUR 72.8 million granted under the Act Governing Aid to Businesses Hit by High Increases in Electricity and Natural Gas Prices.

At the session of the Government Committee on the Economy, the Government reallocated the funds from the state budget and increased the dedicated assets and capital of the Eco Fund.

Today, Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, addressed the Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Within the framework of the "This is Europe" debate, the Prime Minister participated at the plenary session of the Parliament and focused on three key fields in his speech, i.e. the energy crisis and green transition, the importance of the rule of law and the geostrategic action of the EU.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob attended the ninth summit of national leaders of the EU-MED9 grouping, held in Alicante, Spain, on Friday, 9 December.

In today’s session, the Government was briefed on Slovenia’s successful participation in the cross-border, transnational and inter-regional Interreg programmes. The European Commission is presenting Slovenia as a success story.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana. The aforementioned summit of EU and Western Balkans leaders, which was held in one of the Western Balkan countries for the first time, focused on strengthening cooperation between the EU and Western Balkans in light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and on migration management.

The government has adopted the Act Governing Aid to Businesses today to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis. Aid to businesses includes subsidies due to high prices of electricity, natural gas and technological steam, subsidising two job preserving measures and measures aimed at ensuring the liquidity of companies. The estimated total aid amount of all measures is 1.2 billion euros.

At the proposal of the Minister of Health, the Government appointed Nataša Vidnar as the Acting Director-General of the Nursing Directorate at the Ministry of Health at the meeting by correspondence.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, met with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at Strmol Castle. They discussed the topics to be addressed by the European Council on 15 December 2022, in particular energy, migration, Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the EU's enlargement policy, with a focus on the Western Balkans.

"The construction of the Cirkovce–Pince transmission line could not have been completed at a better time, as Europe is preparing for the the much-awaited green transition, while at the same time such investments provide much-needed energy stability," said Prime Minister Robert Golob at a press conference held together with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban after the opening of the 2x400-kV overhead line. The ceremony was also attended by Croatian Economy Minister Davor Filipović.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, President of the Republic Borut Pahor and President of the National Assembly Urška Klakočar Zupančič organised and hosted a traditional reception for representatives of disabled people's organisations at Brdo pri Kranju ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is commemorated on 3 December.

At today’s session the government determined the draft act on emergency intervention to address high energy prices, and began discussing the draft act on aid to the economy to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis. The government also adopted a response to the report filed by FIDES regarding the violation of the code of ethics by the Deputy Prime Minister Danijel Bešič Loredan.

The National Security Council (SNAV), consisting of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Infrastructure, and the Director of the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency, met today at the first regular meeting in this term.

At today’s sessions of the government committees, the government, among other things, recapitalised the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Regional and Rural Development, activated the new item in the budget titled Increase of earmarked assets of the Slovene Enterprise Fund - Expensiveness, adopted multiple decisions on the reallocation of the national budget funds, and included some new projects in the applicable Development Programmes Plan 2022-2025.

At today’s correspondence session, the government adopted a regulation that defines the upper threshold of energy product prices for major commercial electricity consumers.

Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Dr Igor Papič, and State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Matevž Čelik Vidmar, visited the National and University Library (NUK).

The proposed mechanism for limiting natural gas price presented this week by the European Commission will need substantial corrections, stated Bojan Kumer, Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure, after today’s meeting of energy ministers.

In Iran, we are increasingly witnessing the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors, which is why today's Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the state of human rights in Iran is extremely important.

At today's session, the Government adopted decrees on financial aid for the shortage of fodder in 2022 and on financial compensation for beekeepers. It also adopted the starting points for the drafting of normative solutions in relation to the minor offence proceedings conducted during the efforts to contain the infectious disease COVID-19.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today visited the Ljubljana Institute of Oncology and the Ljubljana University Medical Centre (LUMC).

There are many soldiers. And there are many poets. But there are few soldiers who are also poets. General Rudolf Maister would deserve to be remembered for this fact alone. But he was so much more. Just as he knew how to write – signing his works with his pen name Vojanov – he also knew how to wield a sword. So he was not only a man of words, but above all a man of actions. Without him our northern border would not be where it is today – if there would be a border at all.

At today's sessions of government committees, the Government adopted, inter alia, its opinion regarding the proposers' request for constitutional review of the Decision on the inadmissibility of the call for a legislative referendum on the Act Amending the Family Code and the opinion on the proposal to call a consultative referendum on the adoption of an amendment to the Personal Income Tax Act, and included several projects in the current Development Programme Plan 2022-2025.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, Matjaž Han, Economy Minister and Bojan Kumer, Minister of Infrastructure attended a meeting with businesspeople, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. The Government representatives presented solutions and measures to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis for the companies not covered so far by electricity and natural gas price regulation.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met the newly elected Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar.

The Government adopted the new version of the Criminal Code and took a position on the amendments to the draft budgets for the next two year at today’s correspondence session.

On this day we commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and remember all those killed and injured in road traffic accidents together with their families and friends. Prime Minister Robert Golob yesterday, 19 November 2022, attended the traditional commemoration organised by Zavod Varna pot.

Yesterday at COP27, Slovenia presented itself as a green, creative and smart country, active in the field of climate change and oriented towards a green transition, supported by advanced digital technologies. The government of Slovenia demonstrated excellent mutual cooperation of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, MEST, MEDT, MFA with climate and economic diplomacy, Spirit Agency and STO.

At today’s session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia took note of information on the escalation of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and on an incident on the Polish-Ukrainian border. The government strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted, among other things, in systematic attacks against civilians and the destruction of critical infrastructure. The government calls on the Russian Federation to cease such actions immediately. It will also offer additional assistance to Ukraine in the reconstruction of critical infrastructure. Apart from that, it adopted a decision instructing the relevant ministries to prepare measures to compensate electricity and natural gas suppliers.

Science is of vital importance for society, and one of the key generators of progress. This is why Prime Minister Golob today visited the country’s most senior national institution for science and art – the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SAZU). He met with the Academy’s leadership and was briefed on its history, activities and current initiatives.

Following today’s informal consultations with the National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob has said that based on all the information that the government has about the incident in Poland, there is no need for any rise in the level of alert, as there has been no increase in the threat assessment level.

In the face of the uncertain situation on the energy markets, the Slovenian Government is working with various stakeholders, including suppliers, to exchange information and find the best solutions to make it through this challenging period

At the correspondence meeting, the government adopted several decisions.

Today, on 11 November 2022, the first session of the government working group for Roma issues, which was appointed at the 20th regular session of the Government, took place.

Today, Dr Andrej Benedejčič, State Secretary for National and International Security in the Office of the Prime Minister, welcomed Pavel Franko, Director of the Office of the Security Council of the Slovak Republic.

In today’s session, the Government adopted the initiative to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, and set out the text of the draft Accessibility of products and services to disabled persons Act. It also began a discussion concerning the Draft Act amending the Trade Act.

Today, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob hosted a consultation with the ministers and coalition deputies.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob hosted Milena Zupančič at a lunch and congratulated her on the Metod Badjura Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cinema, which she received at this year’s Festival of Slovenian Film.

At the sessions of both government committees, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the decision to increase the scope of funds available in the Slovenian Regional Development Fund, opened new budget items to mitigate the consequences of price increases, agreed to the amendments to the proposed Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act and integrated several projects in the applicable Plan of Development Programmes for the 2022–2025 Period.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob visited Iskraemeco, a global technological company in Kranj, which offers smart solutions in energy and water management.

At today's correspondence meeting, the government amended the draft state budget for 2024, which provides additional funds for investments in road and sports infrastructure, while leaving total revenue and expenditure unchanged. It also adopted its position on the updating of the Energy Charter Treaty.