News

At today's session, the Government adopted the draft Act on the Implementation of the EU Regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services, and a Resolution on Slovenia's participation in the procedure for rendering an Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

At the Government committee meetings, the Government adopted, among other things, an opinion on the proposal to temporarily suspend the implementation of parts of the Act on status transformation of Vzajemna health insurance company d.v.z., gave its consent to the 2024–2025 Business Plan of ARAO – the Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, and adopted a number of responses to decisions of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia and its commissions.

Slovenia has received EUR 536 million in response to its second request for the payment of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

"I am pleased that today we signed a contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), which will provide sufficient resources for the provision of this public service in 2024," said Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office, at the signing ceremony.

The Government has defined the legal bases allowing the payment of suitable compensation to insurance companies, adopted the proposed new amendments to the Road Transport Act and the proposed new amendments to the Spatial Planning Act, and concluded a contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The Government adopted a decree on the establishment and provision of a public information and alert system via public mobile networks, took note of information on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and issued the Ordinance temporarily reintroducing controls at internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia with the Republic of Croatia and Hungary.

As part of a final discussion of its working bodies, the Government adopted decisions establishing two public education institutions, reallocated spending rights and amended the 2023–2026 Development Programmes Plan.

At today's session, the Government has adopted the Energy Act Proposal and reallocated EUR 5 million for co-funding radio and television programmes at RTV Slovenija for the Italian and Hungarian ethnic communities. In addition, it has approved the National Commodity Reserves Act Proposal and extended the controls at internal borders.

The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) today paid the first EUR 4.5 million in advance payments to homeowners for the reconstruction of homes damaged by floods and landslides on 4 August 2023. To date, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning has advanced EUR 218.5 million for emergency rehabilitation to all municipalities that have submitted applications.

At today’s session, the Government laid down the text of the Draft Act Amending the Basic School Act and adopted the Action Plan to Alleviate Energy Poverty for a three-year period.

At the sessions of government committees, the Government adopted the opinion about the proposed recommendation to stop illegal migration. In the applicable Development Programmes Plan 2023–2026, the Government incorporated several new projects and adopted the incentive to conclude an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Ukraine on the donation of non-refundable funds of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to the Government of Ukraine for humanitarian aid in the field of de-mining.

At its correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the proposed Healthcare Intervention Measures Act as per the urgent procedure, which will contribute to the enhanced accessibility and efficiency of our healthcare system.

Today, the Government agreed on the text of the proposed Reconstruction, Development and Provision of Financial Resources Act, whose aim is to provide mechanisms for accelerated reconstruction and development in areas that were flooded in August and protection against future natural disasters.

At today's session, the Government continued its consideration of the proposed Act on Reconstruction, Development and the Provision of Financial Resources. It approved the proposed amendment to the Public Use of the Slovenian Language Act, the proposed amendment to the Building Act and the proposed Minimum Tax Act.

At today’s sessions of the Committee on the Economy, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia included two new investment projects of the GREMO Consortium into the current Development Programmes Plan, namely e-MOTION – Experimental Development and i-MOTION – Industrial Research.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government adopted a Report on the implementation of the state budget in the first half of this year, adopted positions on the opinions of the National Council on budget documents, and took a position on the amendments to the draft budget amendments for 2024 and the amendments to the supplemented draft state budget for 2025.

The Government agreed to the proposed amendments to the proposal for the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia’s Budget for 2024 and 2025 Act and issued a Decree amending 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.

At today's meeting, the Government adopted a draft amendment to the Restriction on the Use of Tobacco Products and Related Products Act, which bans all attractive fruity, sweet and herbal flavours in electronic cigarettes, except for the taste or smell of tobacco or menthol. The draft amendment also introduces a ban on smoking rooms, that is, a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public and work places.

At the Government committees meetings, the Government adopted, among other things, two answers to the questions of the National Council Commissions on the wolf issue and included several new projects in the current Development Programmes Plan 2023-2026.

At a correspondence session, the Government adopted Slovenia's first Space Strategy and the decision to apply for full membership of the European Space Agency.

Following a turbulent night, the weather is gradually settling, but another weather front is forecast to sweep over Slovenia on Sunday. A yellow alert is in place for most of the country and an orange alert for the Primorska region and the northwest due to strengthening south-westerly winds and forecast heavy rainfall on Sunday.

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), Director of the Slovenian Water Agency Neža Kodre, Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia Srečko Šestan, and Director of the Geological Survey of Slovenia Miloš Bavec.

Speaking at a press conference, Branko Gregorčič of the Slovenian Environment Agency has said that the weather conditions would worsen in the second half of the night and on Friday morning. Heavy rain is expected, and the south-westerly wind will intensify.

At 78th session, the Government considered the Bill on Reconstruction, Development and Provision of Financial Resources and the Draft Amendment to the Act Determining Intervention Measures for Recovery from the Floods and Landslides of August 2023. The proposed solutions from both laws were presented by the Minister of Infrastructure Alenka Bratušek and the Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič.

At the correspondence session, the Government adopted amendments to the Decree determining the amount of excise duty on energy products and electricity.

At the correspondence session, the Government included the possibility of part-time work for workers who are victims of domestic violence in the proposed new amendments to the Employment Relationships Act (ZDR-1).

At today's meeting, the Government approved amendments to the Employment Relationships Act, issued the Decree on determining the price of electricity, and issued the Ordinance temporarily reintroducing border controls along the borders between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Croatia.

At today's session, the Government took note of the draft budget plan of the general government sector for 2024 and the first progress report on the use of European Cohesion Policy funds in the 2014–2020 and 2021–2027 programming periods. It also adopted the Preliminary Programme for the repair of direct damage to property caused by the floods of 4 August 2023 in the field of national road and rail infrastructure.

At a press conference, the Director of the Slovenian Protection and Rescue Administration, Leon Behin, presented the progress of the reimbursement of intervention costs to local communities and to protection and rescue personnel incurred during the August floods and landslides during the period of the activated National Plan, i.e. between 4 and 31 August.

It has been two months since the catastrophic floods that took place on 4 August. Floods and landslides affected 183 of Slovenia's 212 municipalities, with 104 municipalities severely impacted. The total area affected is estimated at 17,203 square kilometres. To date, the Slovenian Government has provided EUR 515.9 million to help people, municipalities and the economy.

At today's session, the Government was briefed on the Estimate of Direct Flood Damage, it finalised the draft Resolution on the 2023–2030 National Road Safety Programme and adopted the 2023–2028 Natura 2000 Management Programme.

At the government committee meetings, the Government adopted its opinion on several legislative proposals and provided funds to deal with the aftermath of this summer's storms and floods.

The Government has approved the budget package for 2024 and 2025. The priority for the next two years is to finance measures to deal with the consequences of this year's floods. The draft budgetary amendment for 2024 foresees €14 billion in revenue and €16.2 billion in expenditure, and for 2025 €14.56 billion in revenue and €15.82 billion in expenditure.

At today's session, the Government took note of information on the progress of the implementation of the Preliminary Programme for the repair of direct damage to property caused by the floods of 4 August 2023, the progress of activities to prepare the application to the EU Solidarity Fund, and the activities related to the determination and payment of intervention costs.

At its meeting today, the Government adopted the preliminary programmes for the repair of direct damage to property caused by the flooding on 4 August 2023, by the storm with flooding between 12 and 13 July 2023 and by the storm with flooding between 17 July and 3 August 2023.

The Government decided that intervention expenditure in the amount of EUR 94.9 million be reimbursed to 138 municipalities and up to EUR 11.4 million to protection and rescue forces. Intervention expenditure of up to EUR 2.5 million will be reimbursed to firefighting units. The Government earmarked EUR 31.7 million for the preliminary programme of eliminating the consequences of damage in the economy and EUR 47 million for measures on water infrastructure.

The Government starts examining information on the preparation of the budgets of the Republic of Slovenia for 2024 and 2025. It gave its consent to the draft amendment of the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy 2014–2020, took note of the Autumn Forecast of Economic Trends 2023 and the information on the baselines for the preliminary programme for the repair of direct damage resulting from the August floods.

At its correspondence session, the Government gave its consent to the proposed amendments to the draft act amending the Mental Health Act.

At government committee sessions, the Government agreed with the proposed amendments to the Financial Operations, Insolvency Proceedings and Compulsory Dissolution Act and the proposed amendments to the Bloudek Awards Act. In the Development Programmes Plan 2023–2026, the Government added several new projects.

At today's meeting, the Government took note of information on the progress of activities to prepare an application for the EU Solidarity Fund, established the Government Office for Flood and Landslide Recovery and appointed the Director General of the Police.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Government has agreed on the text of the proposed Act Amending the Higher Vocational Education Act and submitted it to the National Assembly for consideration under the shortened procedure. The Government also adopted the Medium-Term Defence Programme of the Republic of Slovenia 2023–2028.

"Our main promise we gave to the people when we were elected was that we would live in a normal country again. That means a functioning rule of law, democracy and an open society. We have delivered on that promise," Prime Minister Robert Golob said on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the Government. Together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Tanja Fajon and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Luka Mesec, they summarised the work of the Government so far.

The government adopted a proposal for the amendment to the Pension and Disability Insurance Act and a resolution on pension indexation. It decided that the eligible costs of interventions during windstorms in north-eastern Slovenia are to be reimbursed to the municipalities.

At the meetings of the government committees, the Government, among other things, took a position on the tabled amendments to the draft revised budget for 2023, adopted positions on the opinions of the National Council on this year’s draft revised budget and on the proposal of the amendment to the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia Budget for 2023 and 2024 Act, and included three new bilateral development cooperation projects in the current 2023–2026 Development Programme Plan of the Slovenian budget in accordance with the amendment to the financing plan.

At today’s correspondence meeting, the government adopted an opinion on the proposal of the amendment to the Animal Protection Act and appointed the Director of the Farmland and Forest Fund of the Republic of Slovenia and the Director-General of the Forestry and Hunting Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.

At the correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia has decided to immediately provide rescue assistance to the Republic of Italy through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in response to their request, due to the floods that have affected several provinces in the central part of the country.

At today's session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the text of the proposal to initiate the procedure for amending Articles 160, 161 and 162 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia and allocated an additional EUR 2.8 million for the organisation and hosting of the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 in Maribor.

The Government initiated activities to erect a monument to Slovenian independence, which will connect and unite, and with its symbolism convey the story of the future of a nation that has won its independence and freedom. It also confirmed an intervention bill with which the mining rights are extended for three years by means of an annex, and the wording of the amendments to the Higher Education Act.

At the correspondence meeting, the government issued an amendment to the Decree on programmes of compulsory health insurance services, the capacities required for their implementation, and the amount of funds for 2023. The government supports the establishment of a register of damage caused by the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine, and the adoption of a declaration to honour the memory of the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine.

The Government has issued a Decree amending the Decree on the environmental tax on air pollution caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

At a correspondence meeting, the government formally decided that the artillery platoon of the Slovenian Armed Forces is to participate in Howitzer 2023 training held between 8 and 12 May at the Evgen Kvaternik training range in Slunj, Croatia.

At today's session, the government determined the text of the draft Act on specific matters relating to certain offences committed during the period of validity of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. Moreover, it adopted the 2023 Development Report and approved the annual plan for the financing and co-financing of investments in sports infrastructure for 2023.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and Slovenian Government ministers support the public and free expression of opinions and the right to peaceful protest.

Today, the Government adopted the Stability Programme 2023 which must be submitted to the European Commission by the end of April each year as part of the European Semester process, as well as a number of other documents.