AGP Executive Report

Referendums: Around 1.7 million voters head to the polls Sunday on four proposals covering parliamentary inquiries, social assistance, RTV Slovenija funding and non-EU citizens’ voting rights in local elections. Janez Janša’s conservatives back the proposals; the governing coalition opposes them. Public Media: Authorities have urged Slovenia to avoid changes that could weaken public media, as voters weigh a proposal to abolish RTV Slovenija’s licence fee. .si Domain Rush: Slovenia’s domain registry recorded 19,541 new .si names in 24 hours. Hostinger data shows India narrowly ahead of the United States among buyers, amid a surge linked to Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” branding. Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on Slovenian roads. Football: Slovenia came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in the Nations League, deepening the pressure on Scotland’s new coach, Sebastien Pocognoli. UEFA: Aleksander Čeferin reversed his plan to step down and will seek a fourth term as president in 2027.

Referendums: Slovenian voters head to the polls on Sunday for four referendums on non-EU citizens’ local voting rights, social assistance, public broadcasting and parliamentary investigations. The campaigns have sharpened the divide between Janez Janša’s conservatives and the governing left. Media Freedom: Journalists’ groups warn that scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee without a protected replacement could threaten its independence and finances. They also oppose proposed changes that would give the government more influence over broadcaster appointments. Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on home roads, beating France’s Bruno Armirail by seven seconds. Football: UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has accepted a unanimous proposal from member associations to seek a fourth, final term in 2027, reversing his earlier decision to step down.

Trade Links: Slovenia’s ambassador to India is exploring a route for ginger from India’s Karbi Anglong region into the European market, with Slovenia positioned as a gateway to the EU. Football: UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin reversed his earlier pledge to step down and will seek a fourth, final term in April 2027. Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European individual time-trial title on home roads, finishing 6.58 seconds ahead of France’s Bruno Armirail. Nations League: Slovenia came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 at Hampden, deepening the hosts’ trouble in the group. Organized Crime: Europol says 34 people were arrested in Slovenia during a cross-border crackdown on a Balkan drug network; 49 suspects have been detained overall. Climate: Researchers warn one of Slovenia’s last glaciers could disappear within days as warming accelerates.

Organised Crime: Europol says 34 people were arrested in Slovenia during a crackdown on a Western Balkan drug network allegedly tied to killings, kidnappings and grenade attacks. Police seized 66 kilograms of drugs. Football: Slovenian UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin reversed his decision to step down and will seek a fourth, final term in 2027. He will not challenge FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Economy: Slovenia’s central bank chief Primož Dolenc says the ECB may need to raise rates further as inflation risks persist, but stable core inflation offers some reassurance. Business: The EU fined Kingspan €40 million over misleading information in its abandoned bid for Slovenian insulation maker Trimo; Kingspan plans to appeal. Sport: Slovenia came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in the Nations League at Hampden.

Cycling: Primož Roglič gave host Slovenia its first medal at the European Road Championships, winning the time trial title on home roads and ending the event on a high note. MED9 Summit: Slovenia joined Mediterranean EU leaders in Croatia to discuss energy supply risks from the Hormuz blockade; the group also called for a united EU response to sudden pressure on external borders. Football: Slovenia came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 at Hampden, with Aljoša Matko and Danijel Sturm scoring after Ryan Christie put the hosts ahead. Family Policy: A new international comparison puts Slovenia at 35 weeks of parental leave equivalent to full pay.

Nations League: Slovenia came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 at Hampden, earning its first win over the Scots in seven meetings. Aljoša Matko equalised before setting up Danijel Sturm’s winner, moving Slovenia three points clear of Scotland in Group B1. Cycling: The European Road Championships are underway in Slovenia, with time trials held in Šenčur. Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser won the elite women’s title, while Slovenian Kristjan Čeh was nominated for World Athletics’ male athlete of the year. Climate: Researchers warn that one of Slovenia’s last glaciers could disappear within days, adding urgency to concerns about the effects of warming. Family policy: A new international study ranks Slovenia third for paid parental leave at full-pay equivalent, with 35 weeks, behind South Korea and Estonia. Telecoms: 5G has overtaken 4G for the first time in Slovenia’s mobile market.

Nations League Shock at Hampden: Scotland’s new era under Sebastien Pocognoli hit a wall as Slovenia came from behind to win 2-1, leaving the Scots third in Group B1 after boos and a half-time lead from Ryan Christie was overturned by Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm. Football Milestones, Same Pressure: The match still marked Andy Robertson’s 100th cap and Billy Gilmour’s 50th, but captain Robertson summed it up bluntly: “not good enough” and “outfought,” with Scotland now needing results in November to keep Euro 2028 hopes alive. Tech & Consumer Watch: Apple raised Apple One Family prices in Slovenia (and several other countries), with Premier also up in select markets. Local Angle for Slovenia: Luka Dončić returned to the Lakers after injury rehab, saying he “felt great” and was back to competitive basketball. Business/Industry: Greece announced €95m energy relief for energy-intensive manufacturers, while Dacia temporarily cut output in Romania amid cost and order pressure.

Nations League Spotlight: Scotland host Slovenia at Hampden tonight (7:45pm, BBC Two/BBC Scotland) in a crucial Group B1 clash after both sides drew 0-0 in Ljubljana and Scotland’s Pocognoli finally got a win in Skopje; Scotland want a fast start to close the gap on leaders Switzerland. Health & Science: Slovenia and Kenya are teaming up on research and regulation to fight antimicrobial resistance, exploring bacteriophages as a potential alternative to antibiotics. EU Budget Fight: EU leaders and lawmakers warn against “excessive” cuts in the next multiannual budget, pushing for reductions that don’t damage agreed priorities. Economy Watch: Eurozone retail sales edged up 0.1% month-on-month; Slovenia rose 1.1% while Luxembourg fell sharply. Tech & Domains: Trump’s “Super Intelligence” rebrand is driving a surge in Slovenian .si domain registrations, with some AI-themed names reportedly listed for huge sums. Sports Business: Lidl extends its partnership with the IHF for handball world championships through 2030.

RTV Funding Referendum: European Federation of Journalists backs Slovenian media unions in opposing a consultative vote on abolishing the mandatory RTV contribution, warning it could undermine RTV Slovenija’s independence. AI & Domains Boom: After Trump’s “Super Intelligence” push, Slovenia’s .si domain is seeing a surge, with daily registrations jumping sharply and even “AI.si” listed for nearly $700,000. Sports—Scotland vs Slovenia: Scotland’s Nations League rematch at Hampden is set to shape Euro 2028 seeding, with new coach Sebastien Pocognoli aiming to build on a 2-0 win over North Macedonia and possibly handing minutes to debutants. Cycling—Photo-Finish Row: Italian rider Giulio Ciccone is challenging the European Championships road race photo-finish loss to Remco Evenepoel, demanding clarity on the exact finish-line call. Climate—Triglav Glacier Nears End: Researchers say Slovenia’s Triglav glacier has shrunk to fragments and could disappear within days due to warming and early snowmelt.

RTV Slovenija Funding Fight: The European Federation of Journalists backs Slovenian journalists opposing a consultative referendum on 11 October that would abolish the mandatory RTV contribution, warning it could undermine the broadcaster’s independence and stability. Climate Crisis in the Alps: Researchers say the Triglav Glacier has shrunk to tiny ice fragments and could vanish within days, after unusually early snowmelt left the remaining ice exposed to summer heat. Tech & Domains: Slovenia’s .si domain boom is tied to the “Super Intelligence” rebrand, with AI.si listed for nearly $700,000 and registrations reportedly surging in September. Sports—Scotland vs Slovenia: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli recalls Rangers winger Findlay Curtis for Tuesday’s Nations League rematch at Hampden, with the result affecting Euro 2028 seeding. EU Budget Pressure: Seventeen EU states, including Slovenia, urge the Irish EU presidency to protect cohesion and farm funding in the 2028–2034 budget.

UEFA Nations League (Scotland–Slovenia): Scotland head to Hampden for a rematch with Slovenia on Tuesday (7:45pm UK), after ending their goal drought with a 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje under new coach Sebastien Pocognoli. Football & TV logistics: ITV says the match will disrupt soap schedules, with Emmerdale (8pm) and Coronation Street (8:30pm) overlapping the 7:45pm kick-off (coverage from 7:30pm). Slovenia in sport (cycling): Tadej Pogačar skipped the European Championships time trial at home, saying his shape is “really bad” after injury, while Remco Evenepoel won the men’s road race in a photo-finish in Slovenia. Tech & economy: Slovenia’s .si domain registrations surged after Trump’s “super intelligence” push, with 46,066 new domains in September and more than 250,000 by early October. Regional politics (Bosnia): Polls opened in Bosnia and Herzegovina for general elections with 3.4 million voters and new biometric voting tech.

European Road Cycling in Ljubljana: Luxembourg arrived with a big team for the 2–7 October European Championships, including Nina Berton and Marie Schreiber in women’s events and Alex Kirsch and Mathieu Kockelmann in the men’s time trial, with the climb up Možjanca tipped as the key test. UEFA Nations League — Slovenia hit again: Switzerland beat Slovenia 2-1 in Lucerne, turning an early deficit (Zan Vipotnik) into victory via an own goal (Erik Janža) and Dan Ndoye’s strike. Scotland vs Slovenia at Hampden: Scotland rematch Slovenia on 6 October after a 2-0 win over North Macedonia, with Andy Robertson set for another spotlight moment. Bosnia elections: Voting began Sunday for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s general elections with 3.4 million registered voters choosing a three-member presidency and 518 officials, using new biometric checks and scanned ballots. EU budget fight: Seventeen EU leaders, including Slovenia, urged Ireland to protect farm and cohesion funding from cuts in the next budget talks. Road racing — Dutch dominance: Demi Vollering converted control into yet more titles in Slovenia, while Azzurra Ballan won the junior women’s road race in Šenčur.

EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU leaders, including Slovenia, urged the Irish EU presidency to protect farm funding and keep the Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy intact, warning proposed cuts would weaken the bloc. Slovenia in Football: Switzerland beat Slovenia 2-1 in the Nations League, with an own goal and Dan Ndoye’s strike overturning Zan Vipotnik’s opener, while Scotland also won 2-0 at North Macedonia. Scotland Spotlight: New Scotland boss Sébastien Pocognoli got his first win as Kieron Bowie scored early and John McGinn added a penalty; captain Andy Robertson celebrated his 100th cap. England & Spain Results: England crushed Croatia 7-0 with Kane and Saka netting twice each, while Spain stayed perfect by beating Czechia 3-1 as Lamine Yamal starred.

EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU leaders, including Slovenia’s government, have urged Ireland’s rotating EU presidency to protect the Cohesion Policy and the CAP from proposed cuts in the 2028–2034 budget talks. They warn reductions would weaken the EU and undermine support for the European project. Slovenia in the Spotlight: Slovenia’s .si domain registrations surged after Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” push, with demand for related website names driving a fast rise in new registrations. Sports—Nations League: Switzerland host Slovenia in UEFA Nations League action, while Scotland travel to North Macedonia seeking a first win under new coach Sebastien Pocognoli after a goalless draw in Ljubljana and a 3-0 loss to Switzerland. Cycling—European Champs: Demi Vollering won the women’s elite road race in Slovenia’s European Championships, attacking on the final climb to secure a dominant rainbow-jersey victory. Travel & Rail: Croatia-backed plans for an Adriatic–Ionian railway corridor would link Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, aiming to boost ports, freight and regional connectivity.

.si Domain Boom: After Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” rebrand, Slovenia’s .si registry says registrations surged—46,066 new domains in September and a spike to 12,600+ per day after the order, with Netcraft flagging speculative buying ahead of the announcement. EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovenia, signed a letter urging no cuts to nearly €900 billion for farmers and cohesion policy, setting up a clash with Germany-led “frugal” demands. Local Environment: A new study finds Europe’s rivers are cleaner, but only Slovenia is improving fast enough to hit 2030 water targets. Sports—Luka Dončić: The NBA star filed a Hague Convention petition to bring his daughters from Slovenia to the United States amid an ongoing custody dispute. Scotland vs North Macedonia (Slovenia link): Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli heads to Skopje needing a win after goalless draw vs Slovenia and a 3-0 loss to Switzerland.

.si Domain Boom: After Donald Trump’s UN push to rename “AI” as “super intelligence,” Slovenia’s country-code .si domain market reportedly exploded, with thousands of new registrations in days and a surge in demand for Slovenian web addresses. EU Budget Standoff: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovenia, urged that cohesion and farm funding be protected ahead of the 2028–2034 budget talks, warning cuts would weaken the bloc’s priorities. Slovenia-Germany Ties: Germany’s foreign minister is visiting Slovenia to deepen cooperation in areas like defence, robotics, digitalisation and innovation, with meetings planned with Prime Minister Janez Janša and Slovenian firms. Long-Term Care Policy: In the GOVSI podcast, Minister Mateja Ribič discussed changes to long-term care and care-at-home, aiming for a system that works when people need it. Court Case Update: A Ljubljana civil lawsuit involving journalist Jože Možina and cultural figure Svetlana Makarovič is set to be heard again, as Možina seeks apology and damages over alleged defamation. Sports—Cycling in Slovenia: Spanish rider Héctor Álvarez won the U23 men’s road race title in Slovenia with a late solo attack, while Slovak Viktória Chladoňová took bronze in the women’s U23 race.