Morning headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday, March 8, 2022
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This summary provides STA:
Almost 400 Ukrainian refugees seek asylum in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA – Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 381 Ukrainian citizens have expressed their intention to apply for international protection in Slovenia, according to police data. At a meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Mikhail Brodovich, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said that Slovenia was ready for an increased number of Ukrainian refugees and that it would provide facilities if necessary. He reiterated Slovenia’s support for Ukraine, as the Ukrainian ambassador thanked Slovenia for its help, the ministry said.
Queues at gas stations in anticipation of rising fuel prices
LJUBLJANA – According to media reports that fuel prices will rise sharply on Tuesday due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, queues have formed at petrol stations across the country. Some stations have temporarily run out of diesel fuel. The newspaper Finance reports that the price of diesel could reach a new record on Tuesday, namely 1.65 euros per liter. Prime Minister Janez Janša said that there was no need to panic, as Slovenia had sufficient stocks, and announced additional government measures in the event of a radical rise in retail prices.
The poll shows that Slovenes are deeply pessimistic about the war in Ukraine
LJUBLJANA – The Slovenian public sees the war in Ukraine as a much bigger cause for concern than Covid-19 at any time during the pandemic. A survey conducted by Valicon in Slovenia and three other countries in the region showed that the level of personal concern about the war and its consequences is 85, which is compared to the highest value of 72 during the Covid-19 pandemic. 71% of respondents in Slovenia blame Russia for the war, 37% the US and 22% NATO, 17% Ukraine and 11% the EU. Several answers were possible.
The facade of the Russian-owned mill is causing a stir over the war in Ukraine
JESENICE – The facade of the cold rolling mill SIJ Acroni in Koroška Bela has upset some employees and residents. It is believed that the yellow and blue facade of the building with a red star and sickle on top is a provocation related to the war in Ukraine. The SIJ group, which has been owned by the Russian Zubitsky family since 2017, has denied the allegations. It said the star was placed on the roof of the building a few decades ago as a symbol of the workers, and the facade was painted last year to match the ancillary building.
RTV Slovenia employees are protesting against increasing pressure
LJUBLJANA – At a press conference, RTV Slovenia journalists demanded full editorial independence and protested against deteriorating working conditions, mobbing and political pressure. They drew unjustified criticism from the Government Communication Office. TV Slovenia journalists also protested after Jadranka Rebernik was appointed editor-in-chief of TV news programs instead of the candidate supported by the staff. The DNS press association and the union called the appointment illegal.
Opposition boycotts session on diplomatic appointments
LJUBLJANA – The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly held a session to listen to the remaining presentations of candidates for future Slovenian ambassadors. After the first six candidates for ambassadorial posts, which are expected to be sent abroad in the summer, were presented to the committee in mid-February, five more were heard behind closed doors at today’s meeting. The center-left opposition staged the departure because they did not receive the relevant documents until the session itself.
The SDS returned to first place in the latest Mediana poll
LJUBLJANA – The ruling Democrats (SDS) gained 3.3 percentage points to 18.3 percent in the latest Mediana poll, returning to first place and skipping the Free Movement, Robert Golob’s party. The latter lost 2.2 points to 18%. In third place are the Social Democrats (SD) with 7.7%, up 1.1 points. The government’s assessment has improved compared to the previous month, as President Borut Pahor remains at the top of the list of most popular politicians, followed by Golob and President of the National Council Alojz Kovšca.
SDS withdraws lawsuit against Šarc
LJUBLJANA – The Democrats (SDS) withdrew a lawsuit against the leader of the Marjan Šarc List (LMŠ) Marjan Šarc due to comments he made in March 2020 on the manner and financing of the party. Layer Franci Matoz did not give reasons for the withdrawal. Mladina magazine, which first published the news last week, said the party would certainly lose the lawsuit, as the court had previously dismissed sociologist Rudi Rizman, who was sued by the party over similar comments.
No more face masks in schools
LJUBLJANA – As of today, children and school employees no longer have to wear face masks. Masks remain mandatory in all other enclosed public spaces. The release, approved by the government last week, applies to kindergartens, schools and universities. On 21 February, Slovenia gradually lifted a number of restrictions on coronavirus, including compulsory self-testing in schools and the Covid card in most environments, the latter remaining in place in healthcare organizations, nursing homes and prisons.
The number of cases increased by 16% on Sunday from week to week
LJUBLJANA – Slovenia recorded 746 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, which is a 16% increase from week to week, two weeks after a significant easing of restrictions. This was the third day in a row that the number of cases increased on a weekly basis. The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 continued to fall to 1,140, while the seven-day average of new daily cases rose slightly to 1,656. The number of hospitalizations for covid-19 decreased to 255, of which 74 were in intensive care. Six patients died, official figures show.
Fewer cases of cancer detected during the epidemic
LJUBLJANA – The coordinator of the Slovenian cancer control program Sonja Tomšič said at the beginning of the five-day cancer awareness campaign that 30% fewer cancer diagnoses were made in the first wave of Covid-19 than usual, and about 10% less in the next. waves. However, fewer diagnoses do not mean less cancer. Now that the epidemic is waning, the number of newly discovered cases is back as expected, but “we still haven’t made up for the delay in detection” caused by the epidemic, she said.
Violence against women is on the rise during the epidemic
LJUBLJANA – Experts attending an online debate on femicide organized by the SOS hotline, a telephone to help victims of domestic violence, before International Women’s Yes, said that five to seven murders of women in families or partnerships are recorded in Slovenia every year. They also noted an increase in femicide during the Covid-19 epidemic. Mirjam Kline from the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office said that in about half of the cases, the victims decided not to file complaints.
Exports increased by 20.5% year on year in January, as imports increased by 52%
LJUBLJANA – In January, Slovenia exported 3.5 billion euros worth of goods, which is 20.5 percent more than in the same month last year, while imports increased by 52.1 percent to 3.9 billion euros, according to the Statistical Office. With a 89.2% coverage of exports by imports, a trade deficit of EUR 400 million was achieved. Exports to EU Member States increased by 28.8% year on year to EUR 2.4 billion, while imports from these countries increased by 38% to EUR 2.4 billion.
The bad bank is again selling a 13% stake in Cinkarna Celje
LJUBLJANA – The Bank Receivables Management Company (BAMC) is collecting binding offers for its 12.83% stake in the chemical company Cinkarna Celje. The deadline for submitting applications in the new attempt to sell the state-owned bank’s share is April 6, according to a publication in the business newspaper Finance. The BAMC has been without voting rights in the Celje company since January, as the legal deadline for the bad bank to sell the assets it acquired before 2016 is coming to an end.
Ljubljana refuge of Syrian writer Souzan Ali
LJUBLJANA – Syrian writer Souzan Ali has been living in Ljubljana since last summer, after seeking refuge in the Slovenian capital as part of the UNESCO City of Literature Program and the ICORN Network of Cities, which help persecuted writers and other artists. Is he at a written residence in the Slovenian Pen Center. Her work was presented on the eve of International Women’s Day. Ljubljana has so far received six refugees in co-operation with the ICORN network, which includes 75 cities, mostly in Europe.
Križnar wins Raw Air, Bogataj third
OSLO, Norway – Nika Križnar won the Raw Air ski jumping tour in Norway after finishing fourth in the final race on Sunday. Olympic champion Urša Bogataj took second place in the final for third place, behind Japan’s Sara Takanashi. “I’m not too happy with my jumps as I’ve made quite a few mistakes. But winning the tour is something special, I’m really happy about that,” said Križnar, Raw Air’s second winner after returning to Maren Lundby’s comeback.