News roundup - Monday, 29 April, until 3pm

Reappraisal suggests ill-fated courts building overpaid by at least EUR 1.7m

LJUBLJANA - Justice Minister Andreja Katič presented a follow-up appraisal of the dilapidated building the Justice Ministry bought under her predecessor Dominika Švarc Pipan in December for EUR 7.7 million, which shows it is worth EUR 6 million. While the police are already investigating the case, which pushed the SocDems into a deep crisis, Katič said she, too, will file a criminal complaint against unknown perpetrators. Katič said that experts assessed the necessary investment at EUR 5.55 million.

Anti-graft watchdog refers top court sole proprietor case to parliament

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption decided to refer the case of Constitutional Court judge Klemen Jaklič's side activity as sole proprietor to the National Assembly, saying the parliament, being the body that appoints top court judges, is the competent authority. The commission however added it was not throwing out the case entirely, since it will continue examining it as pertained to what it called its competences regarding restrictions on business and assets.

New route to Copenhagen launched at Ljubljana Airport

BRNIK - The launch of a new link to Copenhagen by the carrier Norwegian was marked ceremoniously at Jože Pučnik Ljubljana Airport. The new route, to be operated twice a week, is the third secured as part of a state subsidies scheme to enhance Slovenia's air connectivity. Norwegian will initially fly between the Slovenian and Danish capitals Mondays and Fridays and during the peak summer season Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Poll shows notable increase in support for govt, SDS also gains at top

LJUBLJANA - Support for the Robert Golob government increased by 4.6 percentage points in the past month to 35.3%, a record high in the past six months, shows the latest Mediana poll for commercial broadcaster POP TV. Golob's Freedom Movement also gained in the party rankings, but so did the opposition Democrats (SDS), who are projected to win four of Slovenia's nine MEP seats. The share of undecided voters has dropped from 22.2% in March to 17.3%.

European judges urge Slovenia to increase judge pay

LJUBLJANA - The European Association of Judges (EAJ) has adopted a resolution on Slovenia to call on the government and National Assembly to immediately implement the 2023 Constitutional Court ruling under which judge pay should increase to ensure alignment with salaries of the most senior officials in the other two branches of power, the Slovenian Association of Judges announced.

One dies in shooting in Slovenska Bistrica area

SLOVENSKA BISTRICA - A man died in a shooting in the Slovenska Bistrica area in northeastern Slovenia on Sunday evening, the police said. Two other men were involved in the shooting, which is believed to have been triggered by a fight between them. The deceased died at the site of the shooting, while one of the other two was wounded and transported to a hospital. The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Bells return to Slovenian minority village

Bells return to Slovenian minority village

TRIESTE, Italy - After two years of silence, the church bells rang again on Sunday in the San Dorligo della Valle/Dolina near, a village near the Italian city of Trieste which is populated by the Slovenian minority. The bells were seized first in January 2022 and then again in May 2022 after complaints about the noise. The locals also hosted a ceremony to mark the return of the bells, which were also blessed by the parish priest.