AGP Executive Report

Politics: Slovenians voted to keep RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, rejecting its abolition. Results from four referendums also exposed deep political divisions and dealt a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. Football: Aleksander Čeferin will seek a fourth term as UEFA president in 2027, reversing his earlier pledge to step aside. Culture: Leo Černic’s Slovenian-Italian short film Cosmonauts won the top prize and audience award at Bucharest’s Animest festival, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. At home, Luka Marčetić’s Girl in the Night is screening in competition at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož. Trade and Research: Slovenia is expanding the Port of Koper as demand for Chinese goods grows. A Slovenian study also found freshly harvested fruit and vegetables have higher vitamin levels.

Referendums: Preliminary results show voters backed keeping the RTV Slovenija licence fee, while several other disputed government proposals were rejected, underscoring the country’s political divide. Housing Costs: Slovenian rents rose 10% year on year in the second quarter of 2026—the EU’s third-largest increase, after Romania and Croatia. Ljubljana–Vienna Ties: The two capitals agreed to deepen cooperation on public transport, social housing and sustainable tourism.

Housing Costs: Slovenia recorded the EU’s third-highest annual rent increase, at 10% from the second quarter of 2025 to the same period in 2026 — just over 6% after inflation. Referendum Results: Voters delivered a mixed verdict on four proposals, with turnout reaching a record 54.55%. They rejected changes to parliamentary investigations and narrowly opposed scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee, while backing community-service requirements for some welfare recipients and limits on local voting rights for non-EU nationals. Ljubljana–Vienna Ties: The two capitals agreed to deepen cooperation on public transport, social housing and sustainable tourism, building on a partnership dating to 1999. Food Research: A Slovenian study found locally grown apples, strawberries and carrots had higher levels of some vitamins than imported or store-bought produce, but results varied by food and storage conditions.

Referendum Results: Slovenian voters delivered a mixed verdict on four proposals, rejecting expanded powers for parliamentary inquiry commissions and narrowly voting against scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee. They backed community-service requirements for some welfare recipients and limits on non-EU nationals’ local voting rights. Turnout reached a record 54.5%, underlining the deep political divide and dealing a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. Port of Koper: The port is expanding vehicle storage and handling capacity as Chinese imports grow. It handled a record 914,000-plus vehicles in 2025, and officials expect about 100,000 Chinese vehicles this year, up from 11,000 in 2024. Research: A University of Maribor team has published a review comparing strategies for shrinking populations in the optimization algorithm Differential Evolution, a choice that can affect how efficiently it finds solutions.

Referendums: Slovenian voters are deciding four questions in the first major test for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government, formed in June. They include a binding vote on parliamentary inquiry rules and advisory votes on RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, community-service conditions for social assistance and local voting rights for non-EU nationals. Port of Koper: The port is expanding vehicle storage as Chinese imports surge, with officials expecting about 100,000 Chinese vehicles this year, up from 11,000 in 2024. Capacity is set to grow to around 62,000 vehicles. UEFA: Slovenian Aleksander Čeferin has received backing from the Football Association of Wales for a final term as UEFA president, with the election scheduled for April 2027.

Referendums: Slovenian voters are choosing among four ballots in a first major test for Janez Janša’s government. They will decide whether to reject changes to the parliamentary inquiry law and give advisory votes on scrapping RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, tying social assistance to community service, and local voting rights for non-EU nationals. Research: A University of Maribor-led review compares strategies for shrinking populations in Differential Evolution algorithms, a tool used to solve complex optimization problems. Culture: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s “Bird of Hope for Peace,” made from nearly 1,000 lace roses by more than 500 makers, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. Football Governance: UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin says he will seek a final term in 2027, after European football federations urged him to stay.

Politics: Four referendums are sharpening Slovenia’s political divisions ahead of elections. Press-freedom advocates have also urged the authorities not to weaken public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. UEFA: Aleksander Čeferin will seek a final term as president in April 2027 after European federations urged him to stay; they also called for reforms at FIFA. Climate: Scientists warn that the last remnants of the Triglav glacier may soon disappear after unusually warm weather, low snowfall and early melting. Business & Tech: Slovenia’s .si domain recorded 19,541 registrations in 24 hours—about five times the usual pace—amid a speculative rush tied to the US “super intelligence” branding. Sport: Manchester United say Benjamin Šeško’s latest shin injury remains under assessment, with surgery among the options. Slovenian sprinter Žak Eržen is set to make his Tour of Guangxi debut.

Referendums: Slovenia votes Sunday on four measures covering public-media funding, social assistance, local voting rights for non-EU citizens and parliamentary inquiries. The campaign has sharpened divisions between opposing political camps, and the proposal to abolish RTV Slovenia’s licence fee has raised concerns about the broadcaster’s independence. Climate: Researchers say the last remnants of the Triglav Glacier could disappear within days after unusually warm weather, low snowfall and early melting. Business ties: Slovenia and Vietnam are looking to deepen cooperation, including links between the Port of Koper and Vietnamese ports; Hanoi also urged Slovenia to ratify an EU-Vietnam investment agreement. Digital economy: Nearly 19,500 .si domains were registered in 24 hours amid a global rush for names linked to the “super intelligence” trend.

Digital Gold Rush: Slovenia’s .si registry recorded 19,541 new domain registrations in 24 hours, about five times its usual pace, amid a global scramble for “SI” names after Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” rebrand. India narrowly led the US in registrations tracked by Hostinger. Referendum Showdown: Voters head to the polls Sunday on four proposals covering parliamentary inquiries, RTV Slovenija’s licence fee, social assistance requirements and non-EU citizens’ local voting rights. The campaign has sharpened the divide between Janez Janša’s conservatives and the governing coalition. Media Independence: Press freedom groups warn that ending RTV Slovenija’s licence fee without a protected alternative could threaten its financial stability; they also object to a separate bill that could increase government influence over appointments. Cycling: Primož Roglič won the European time-trial title on home roads, finishing seven seconds ahead of France’s Bruno Armirail. Wine Tourism: Štajerska was named Europe’s top wine region for 2027, praised for its vineyards, historic cellars and local hospitality.

Referendum Showdown: About 1.7 million Slovenians vote Sunday on four proposals covering non-EU citizens’ local voting rights, social assistance, public broadcasting and parliamentary inquiries. The campaign has sharpened the divide between Janez Janša’s conservatives and the governing left. Media Independence: Press-freedom groups warn that scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee without a protected alternative could weaken its finances, while a separate bill could give the government greater sway over its management. Budgets: Janša says the proposed 2027–28 budgets fund his government’s development agenda, including investment, lower taxes on labour and support for healthcare and housing. Cycling: Primož Roglič won the European time-trial title on home roads, finishing seven seconds ahead of France’s Bruno Armirail. Wine Tourism: Northeastern Slovenia’s Štajerska region was named Europe’s top wine destination for 2027, recognised for its vineyards, heritage and hospitality.

Football: Slovenian UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin will seek a fourth term, reversing his earlier pledge to step down in 2027. The vote is due next year in Astana. Organised Crime: Nearly 50 suspects have been detained in a crackdown on a Western Balkan drug network. Police searched properties in Slovenia and Spain on October 6 and arrested 34 people in Slovenia. Nations League: Slovenia beat Scotland 2-1 in Glasgow, dealing the hosts a damaging blow in their group. Cycling: Primož Roglič won the men’s European time trial title on home roads, while Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser claimed her fifth European crown in six years. Health Research: A case report from Slovenia’s Valdoltra Orthopaedic Hospital describes a complex treatment for a patient with a severe, drug-resistant hip infection, including antibiotics delivered directly into the joint.

Monetary Policy: Bank of Slovenia chief Primož Dolenc says the ECB may need to raise rates further as energy prices fuel inflation, but stressed that timing will depend on incoming data; so far, he sees little sign of broader price pressures or wage effects. Digital Business: Slovenia’s .si domains have drawn a rush of registrations after Donald Trump promoted “super intelligence” as a term for AI. Some domains are listed for huge sums, but the timing does not prove buyers had advance knowledge. National Team: Slovenia stunned Scotland 2-1 in Glasgow, scoring twice after the break to secure a Nations League win. Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European road-racing title on home roads, adding a major victory for Slovenian cycling. Climate: Researchers warn Slovenia’s glacier could disappear within days, an urgent sign of warming in the Alps.

Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European title on home roads, taking the men’s time trial in Slovenia after setting the pace at both intermediate checks. Digital Economy: Slovenia’s .si domain saw 20,000 registrations in a day, after US President Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” rebrand sparked a rush for AI-related names. Family Policy: Slovenia ranks among Europe’s leaders for paid parental leave, offering fathers the equivalent of 35 weeks at full pay, according to a new international study. Public Finance: The government approved budgets for 2027 and 2028, with a stated focus on economic growth, stability and development.

Nations League: Slovenia came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 at Hampden, with second-half goals from Aljoša Matko and Danijel Sturm. The win lifted Slovenia to seven points and second place in Group B1, while Scotland remain third on four. Cycling: Šenčur hosted the European time-trial championships, where Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser won her fifth elite women’s title and Dutch rider Nienke Vinke took the under-23 crown. Digital Economy: Slovenia’s .si domain saw a sharp burst of registrations after a US proposal to rebrand artificial intelligence as “super intelligence” drew attention to the country’s web suffix. Public Finances: The government approved the 2027 and 2028 budgets, citing economic growth, stability and development.

Nations League Shock at Hampden: Scotland’s new era under Sebastien Pocognoli hit a wall as Slovenia came back to win 2-1 after Ryan Christie’s opener, leaving Scotland third and facing a tougher Euro 2028 route. Coach Under Pressure: Pocognoli and captain Andy Robertson both pointed to defensive exposure and intensity gaps as the reason Scotland “weren’t good enough,” with boos after another home defeat. Spain’s Resurgence: Spain finished the Nations League round unbeaten by rallying past Croatia 2-1, with Mikel Merino scoring twice and Harry Kane netting again for England’s record-setting night. Slovenia-Linked Diplomacy: Slovenia appears in international cooperation coverage as a delegation including Slovenian representatives visited Saskatchewan to discuss food and energy security research links. Health & Research Cooperation: Slovenia and Kenya are stepping up work on bacteriophages to fight drug-resistant infections, focusing on clinical and regulatory readiness. Environment in the Region: Croatia began removing non-hazardous waste from the former PPK Velebit site in Gospic, tied to a wider USKOK probe involving waste imported from Slovenia and Italy. Tech & Industry: A report ranks countries by industrial robot density, with South Korea leading—useful context for Slovenia’s competitiveness debate.

Antimicrobial Resistance Fight: Slovenia and Kenya are stepping up scientific cooperation at the Africa Bacteriophage Summit in Nairobi, exploring bacteriophages to tackle drug-resistant infections, with focus on research, clinical use, regulation and patient safety. Nations League Spotlight: Scotland host Slovenia at Hampden on Tuesday (BBC Two, 7:45pm) as both chase second place; Scotland are coming off a 2-0 win over North Macedonia, while Slovenia aim to build on their tight group position. EU Budget Pressure: EU leaders face warnings from the Commission and Parliament against “excessive” cuts in the multiannual budget talks, with a moderate reduction seen as more acceptable. Tech & Transport: Germany’s transport minister says he’ll push for Tesla’s FSD Supervised approval across the EU, or pursue a national route if Brussels stalls. Slovenia’s .si Boom: Registrations for Slovenia’s .si domain surged after Trump’s “super intelligence” rebrand, fueling speculation that the small suffix could become a new digital asset. Sports Culture: Italy won the junior mixed team relay at the UEC European Championships in Slovenia, with Slovenia finishing seventh.