AGP Executive Report

Referendum Fallout: Slovenian voters rejected a proposal to abolish the public broadcasting fee and changes to parliamentary inquiry rules, exposing a deep political divide and dealing a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. Cross-Border Crime: Slovenian police and European partners dismantled two drug-smuggling networks, arresting 34 suspects in one case and seizing tonnes of drugs. A separate investigation uncovered a cocaine shipment estimated at €285 million. EU Budget: Slovenia joined 16 other “Friends of Cohesion” countries in opposing a proposed €141 billion cut to the next EU budget, which would reduce funding for research, climate action and security. Sport: Celje’s handball side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, while the city’s football club was set to host Omonia in the Europa League. Tourism: Slovenia ranked among the world’s leading wellness destinations, with researchers highlighting its thermal springs, alpine retreats and coastal options.

Crime: Slovenian police and Europol dismantled two international drug-smuggling networks, arresting 34 suspects and seizing tonnes of drugs. A separate probe uncovered a cocaine operation using Slovenia-based transport firms. Politics: Referendum results highlighted Slovenia’s political divide: voters rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules and abolishing the RTV subscription fee, while other proposed reforms also faced resistance. Sport: Paris Saint-Germain beat RK Celje in a Champions League handball match in Celje. Environment: Slovenia was among EU countries collecting less than 30% of generated electronic waste in 2024, well below the bloc’s target. Tourism: Slovenia ranked joint sixth worldwide for wellness experiences, praised for its thermal springs, alpine retreats and coastal therapies. Trade: The Port of Koper is expanding as demand for Chinese goods in Europe grows, strengthening its role as a gateway to the continent.

E-waste: Slovenia is among the EU’s worst performers, collecting less than 30% of discarded electronics in 2024 as the bloc’s recycling rules come under review. Referendums: Voters rejected disputed reforms, including changes to parliamentary inquiry rules, while backing the continued RTV Slovenija licence fee — a setback for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. EU policy: Slovenia joined 12 other member states calling for a year focused on implementing existing laws and cutting red tape before adding new obligations. Regional cooperation: Slovenia’s Financial Administration will help lead an EU-funded project to improve customs and tax operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Culture: The Festival of Slovenian Film is under way in Portorož, while Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts won the top prize at Bucharest’s Animest festival.

Football: The Netherlands beat Hungary 3-0 to set up a two-legged Women’s World Cup playoff against Slovenia, with the first leg at home between November 26 and December 5. UEFA: Slovenian Aleksander Čeferin says he will seek a fourth term as president in 2027, reversing his earlier decision to step aside. Culture: Leo Černic’s Slovenian-Italian short film Cosmonauts won the top prize and audience award at Romania’s Animest festival, making it eligible for Oscar consideration; three Slovenian features are also competing at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož. Referendums: Voters rejected disputed changes to parliamentary inquiry rules and backed keeping the RTV Slovenija licence fee, highlighting divisions over the government’s reform agenda. Disaster Readiness: Lessons from Slovenia’s devastating 2022 Karst wildfire point to a need for faster access to satellite imagery so emergency teams can act on timely information.

Referendums: Preliminary results show Slovenian voters backed keeping the RTV Slovenija licence fee. The four referendums also delivered setbacks to some government-backed changes, highlighting a sharp political divide. Final results are pending postal ballots. European Football: NK Celje host Cyprus’s Omonia on Thursday in the Europa League, seeking to bounce back from an opening defeat. Celje are fifth in the Slovenian league after a 1–0 win over Aluminij. Travel: Ljubljana Airport recorded a 16.6% rise in passenger traffic in September, the strongest growth among airports in Fraport’s portfolio.

Referendums: Slovenian voters rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules and narrowly kept RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, while backing community-service requirements for welfare recipients and limits on non-EU citizens’ local voting rights. Turnout reached a record 54.5%; the broadcaster vote was separated by just 692 ballots, with postal votes still to be counted. Cost of Living: Rents in Slovenia rose 10% year-on-year in the second quarter, the EU’s third-steepest increase, behind Romania and Croatia. Ljubljana–Vienna Ties: The two capitals agreed to deepen cooperation on public transport, social housing and sustainable tourism.

Referendum Results: Slovenian voters rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules and narrowly opposed scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee, with 50.04% voting to keep it. They backed making social assistance conditional on community service and restricting local voting rights for non-EU citizens. Turnout hit a record 54.55%, delivering a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda; postal ballots could still affect the close public-broadcasting result. Housing Costs: Rents in Slovenia rose 10.2% in the second quarter compared with last year’s average, the EU’s third-largest increase, adding to affordability pressures. Football Leadership: UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, a former head of Slovenia’s football association, is seeking a fourth term in 2027.

Referendums: Slovenians voted on four measures in a first major test for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government, including changes to parliamentary inquiries, RTV’s licence fee, social assistance rules and non-EU citizens’ local voting rights. Port of Koper: The port is expanding vehicle storage as Chinese imports surge; officials expect about 100,000 Chinese cars to pass through this year, up from 11,000 in 2024. UEFA: Slovenian president Aleksander Čeferin has backing from Wales’ football association as he seeks a final term in 2027, after European federations urged him to stay. Culture: The Festival of Slovenian Film opens in Portorož on October 13, with Darko Štante’s The Lost Son among the competition entries. Ljubljana: A humanoid robot conducted the city’s wind orchestra during a parade on Sunday. Climate: A recent report says Slovenia’s Triglav glaciers have disappeared.

Referendum Day: Slovenians are voting in four referendums, a first test for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government. Three are advisory, including proposals to scrap RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, tie social assistance to community service and restrict local voting rights to Slovenian and EU citizens. A binding vote concerns changes to parliamentary inquiry law; results are expected after 8:30 p.m. Climate: Slovenia’s Triglav glaciers have disappeared, underscoring the rapid effects of warming in the Alps. Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on home roads, giving Slovenia a major sporting triumph. Football: Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko faces another setback at Manchester United, with surgery being considered for his persistent shin problem.

UEFA: Slovenian Aleksander Čeferin will seek a final term as president in 2027 after European football federations unanimously urged him to stay. Climate: Scientists warn the last remnants of Slovenia’s Triglav glacier could disappear within days after unusually warm weather and low winter snowfall. Crime: A Europol-backed operation led to 34 arrests in Slovenia as authorities targeted a Western Balkan network linked to drug trafficking and violent crime; police seized 66 kilograms of drugs. Politics and media: Four referendums are deepening divisions ahead of elections, while press freedom advocates warn against changes that could weaken public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. Sport: Primož Roglič claimed his first European time-trial title on home roads, and Slovenia’s footballers came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in the Nations League.

Climate: Slovenia’s Triglav glacier is nearing its end: scientists say unusually warm weather, low snowfall and early melting may erase its last ice remnants within days. Politics: Four referendums have sharpened divisions ahead of elections, while concerns are mounting over proposed changes to public media and the future of RTV Slovenija’s licence fee. Public Safety: An international crackdown on a Western Balkan crime network led to 34 arrests in Slovenia and the seizure of drugs, firearms and cash. Sport: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on Slovenian roads, and Slovenia’s national football team beat Scotland 2–1 away in the Nations League.

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.