AGP Executive Report

World Bee Day in Slovenia: Beekeeping took centre stage across the country as May 20 celebrations highlighted bees’ role in biodiversity and food security, from rooftop hives in Ljubljana to a Maribor forum on sustainable pollination—while a boycott over fake honey still shadows the event. EU enlargement push: Austria, Italy, Czechia, Slovakia and Slovenia back a “step-by-step” plan to give Western Balkan candidates phased access to the EU single market, tied to progress on reforms and rule of law. Western Balkans politics: Hungary’s PM Péter Magyar is trying to revive the Visegrad Four and even widen it to include more neighbours, with talks in Warsaw signalling a regional diplomatic reset. Local innovation: A Slovenian firm is pitching a motorbike-helmet visor electric wiper aimed at safer rides in rain. Croatia housing boom: Foreign buyers are snapping up restored stone houses—boosting demand but also pushing prices up in coastal communities.

Diplomatic Pressure: France, Canada, the Netherlands and Italy have demanded answers from Israel after footage showed Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting activists held in “stress positions” during the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza; Slovenia joined a wider chorus of condemnation urging Foreign Minister Winston Peters to summon the Israeli ambassador and push for the detainees’ release. EU Enlargement Push: Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia back “step-by-step” access for candidate countries to the EU single market, aiming to speed reforms and keep the region out of Russia’s orbit. Slovenia Politics: Centre-right and right-wing parties tabled a motion to block a referendum on an economic reform bill as a constitutional fight with unions and civil society looms. Sports & Culture: Eurovision’s Vienna finale ended with Israel’s Noam Bettan taking second place behind Bulgaria’s “Bangaranga,” while Slovenia’s right-wing populist Janez Janša is set to return to power. Local Life: Maribor hosts a World Bee Day forum amid a beekeepers’ boycott over alleged fake honey.

Slovenia’s Political Pivot: Right-wing leader Janez Janša has submitted his candidacy to Parliament and is set to become prime minister again, with RTV Slovenia reporting backing from 48 lawmakers—setting up a new coalition after the liberal Freedom Movement failed to form a government. EU Enlargement Push: Austria, Italy, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia back a “step-by-step” model for Western Balkans access to the EU single market, aiming to keep momentum and reduce Russia’s pull. World Bee Day Action: On May 20, World Bee Day spotlighted pollinator collapse and launched a U.S. “Active Pollinator Patrol” citizen drive, tying the global theme to practical household pledges. Eurovision Fallout: Spain’s PM doubled down on its Israel-linked Eurovision boycott as “right side of history,” while broadcasters and governments keep arguing over participation and Gaza. Water Crisis Warning: A new report says the world is heading for a water catastrophe, with shortages already reshaping politics from Iran to Sudan. Sports Shock in Ice Hockey: Slovakia escaped Slovenia in Switzerland with a 5–4 shoot-out win after a 4–4 draw, turning “certainty into anxiety.”

Slovenian Politics: Janez Janša is set to return as prime minister after submitting his candidacy to Parliament, setting up a new right-wing coalition and a potential shift from the current liberal Freedom Movement. EU Finance: Slovenia signed memorandums on the EEA and Norway Grants 2021–2028, with access to €50m for local and public-health projects. Markets: Ljubljana’s major stocks fell, while Slovenian banks reported a 16% drop in first-quarter profit. Tech & Business: Ljubljana-based DDD Invoices raised €1.31m seed funding to automate tax-compliant e-invoicing via an API-first platform. Global Spotlight: Eurovision’s 2026 finale in Vienna ended with Bulgaria’s “Bangaranga” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan amid months of boycotts and protests. Sports: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won back-to-back NBA MVPs, and Luka Dončić’s Lakers future remains a hot topic after “positive” talks reported from Slovenia.

NBA MVP Repeat: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just won back-to-back NBA MVPs, becoming the 14th player to do it and the 8th straight time the award went to someone born outside the U.S.—with Jokic second and Wembanyama third. Lakers Pressure: Reports say the Lakers’ talks with Luka Dončić are “positive” as he nears a full return, while LeBron James’ future is heating up with teams already making calls. EU Integration Push: North Macedonia’s President Siljanovska-Davkova told Slovenia to back its EU path, warning against turning enlargement into identity politics. Drug Crackdown: India’s first Captagon seizure—31.5 kg hidden in a chapati cutter bound for Jeddah—puts a spotlight on a Syria-to-Saudi transit network. Tourism Reality Check: Croatia’s summer traffic gridlock is getting worse, with A1 bottlenecks and ferry-port congestion turning into a “part of the experience.” Tech & Tax: Ljubljana’s DDD Invoices raises €1.31m seed funding to help businesses stay compliant as e-invoicing reporting moves toward real-time government portals.

Eurovision Fallout: Poland’s opposition PiS deputies are demanding a rethink of ties with Israel and Ukraine after the country scored “zero points” from both in the contest, with claims of a purely political vote and a reminder that Poland’s jury gave Israel the top 12 points. Human Rights in Focus: Aminatou Haidar met Slovenia’s Parliament to press allegations of Moroccan violations in Western Sahara, including restrictions on freedoms and the treatment of Sahrawi prisoners. EU Justice Push: The European Commission reiterated support for the ICC and said attacks or threats against court officials are unacceptable, as it weighs how to respond to US sanctions. Energy & Industry: CBAM is already reshaping regional electricity markets, while Slovenia’s NGEN showcased smart-battery and AI energy management ambitions at the Belgrade Energy Forum. Crime Crackdown: Europol backed a multi-country operation targeting a €240m fake medicines network across Eastern Europe. Sports & Culture: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander repeats as NBA MVP; Croatia named its preliminary 2026 World Cup squad; and Bulgaria’s Dara brought Eurovision’s 70th crown home with “Bangaranga.”

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna for the first time, with Dara’s “Bangaranga” taking both jury and public votes and beating Israel’s Noam Bettan by a huge margin, even as the event was marred by protests and a five-country boycott over Israel’s participation. NBA MVP Repeat: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named MVP again, becoming the 14th player to win back-to-back awards and the 8th straight year an international star topped the league. EU Power Tensions: In Brussels, EPP leader Manfred Weber faces pressure over his “firewall” strategy against far-right gains, while internal rebels push for closer ties with the bloc’s furthest-right groups. Slovenia in the Spotlight: Slovenia’s SMEs are under strain from labour shortages and rising costs as they’re pushed toward the green and digital shift, while a sister-city art show marks 45 years of Chengdu–Ljubljana cooperation. GovTech Push: European and US mayors launched a GovTech Manifesto aimed at making local tech procurement more coordinated and citizen-focused.

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria’s Dara won the 70th Eurovision in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan into second place as the final played out under a five-country boycott and street protests. Boycott Fallout: Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia skipped and some broadcasters refused to air the show, while inside the arena Bettan’s set drew jeers and cheers and Palestinian flags waved. Slovenia Angle: Slovenian coverage and participation were part of the wider broadcaster protest, adding to the sense that music has become a proxy battlefield. Local Economy Watch: Back home, Slovenia’s SMEs are pushing through labour shortages, higher costs and new green/digital demands, with the Enterprise Fund urging automation and smarter transitions. EU Power Shift: Separate reporting argues smaller EU states are increasingly forming coalitions to shape Brussels—an echo of how alliances, not just big players, are driving outcomes.

Eurovision Aftershock: Bulgaria stunned the world by winning Eurovision 2026 in Vienna for the first time, with Dara’s “Bangaranga” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan for second straight year as the final stayed clouded by Gaza-linked boycotts and protests. Boycott Fallout: Five broadcasters—Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia—stayed away, while demonstrators gathered outside and chants/booing followed Israel’s act, turning the “music night” into a political flashpoint. Regional Politics, Small Signals: In the voting quirks that fans love, Croatia handed Serbia 12 points while Serbia gave Croatia zero—another reminder that Eurovision still carries old rivalries. Sports—Slovenian Spotlight: In the NBA-adjacent news, Slovenian star Luka Dončić is cleared for full-contact workouts as his hamstring recovery advances, a boost for the Lakers ahead of the 2026-27 season. Travel Trend: A new review-based ranking puts Slovenia’s Lake Bled among the world’s top cold-water swimming spots, as wild bathing keeps going mainstream.

Eurovision Final in Vienna, but the party is split: The 70th Eurovision grand final kicked off Saturday under tight security and rainy weather, yet it’s been “stung” by a boycott over Israel’s participation amid the Gaza war. Five broadcasters—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia—stayed away, cutting the field to 25 acts, while protests and muted crowds kept pressure on organisers. Human-rights messaging returns: Spain’s RTVE again aired a Palestine/human-rights statement before the show, echoing last year’s “silence is not an option” line. On-stage drama, too: BBC commentator Graham Norton sparked a row by pointing out missing flags from the boycotting countries during Israel’s Noam Bettan segment. Music favourites: Finland’s fiery duo and Australia’s Delta Goodrem are widely tipped among the frontrunners as voting begins. Sports aside: Slovenia’s ice hockey team opens its World Championship campaign in Switzerland against Czechia.

Eurovision Grand Final in Vienna: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off Saturday under tight security and heavy rain, but the biggest story is still the boycott. Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland have pulled out over Israel’s participation, while broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia also won’t air the show—replacing it with Palestine-focused programming. Protests have spilled across Vienna, including the “No Stage For Genocide” rally, and the contest itself has been marked by crowd boos and disruptions around Israel’s act. Slovenia in the spotlight: Slovenia is among the boycotting broadcasters and is also trying to stay in ice-hockey’s elite at the World Championship in Switzerland. Sports and business backdrop: In Slovenia’s economy, Q1 growth is reported at 3% year-on-year, while NLB is set to redeem EUR 500m in green bonds early. Elsewhere: Romania showcased anti-drone upgrades for its TR-85M1 tanks, and the Lakers’ future talk is back around LeBron’s next contract.

Eurovision Fallout: A grand-final rehearsal in Vienna briefly derailed when a curtain failed to open, forcing a restart; after the fix, the show continued with only minor staging delays, while Israel’s Noam Bettan—already booed in the semi-final—performed again without incident. Protest Pressure: Outside the arena, hundreds rallied at a “No Stage For Genocide” event, accusing Eurovision of “normalisation of war crimes,” as smaller protests continued across the week. UK Jury Spotlight: Drag performer La Voix was confirmed as the UK’s “spokesqueen,” set to announce national jury results at Saturday’s final. Slovenia in the Mix: Slovenia’s economy grew about 3% year-on-year in Q1, and Slovenia is among the countries boycotting Eurovision over Israel’s participation. Finance Watch: NLB plans to redeem €500m in green bonds issued in 2023 early, and MPs have requested a probe into information disclosure in the Black Cube case.

Eurovision Shockwave: The final lineup is set after Thursday’s second semi-final, with Australia’s Delta Goodrem booking her spot in Saturday’s grand final and five more countries sent home; qualifiers include Denmark, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Norway, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Albania, Czechia—and Israel’s Noam Bettan—while the contest remains shadowed by Gaza-linked boycotts and protests. Vienna Atmosphere: Organisers say the mood is quieter as the grand final nears, but the political tension hasn’t gone away. Sports Spotlight: The Czech Republic kicks off its 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship campaign against Denmark, with a quick turnaround to face Slovenia. Local Angle (Slovenia/Region): EU rail travel hit 8.7 billion trips last year, with Slovenia among the smaller contributors at 0.9 billion passenger-kilometres. Elsewhere: Canada’s National March for Life drew thousands in Ottawa, while Ireland’s Eurovision boycott echoes the wider culture fight over Israel’s participation.

Eurovision Fallout in Vienna: Israel’s Noam Bettan reached the Eurovision 2026 grand final after protests and disruptions during his “Michelle” semi-final set, with security removing four people for disruptive behaviour as chants of “stop the genocide” echoed in the hall; Bettan said he chose to focus on a “huge wave of love and support” from the crowd. Voting & Fan Life: With semi-final 2 underway, broadcasters and fans are also focused on how to vote online and by app, while Vienna’s streets stay packed with superfans despite the boycott storm. BDS Momentum in the Balkans: A BDS co-coordinator visited Ljubljana, Rijeka and Zagreb to discuss the campaign’s “exponential growth” across solidarity groups. Media Ownership Worries: A leaked draft contract says Serbia’s United Group media could be sold in a deal linked to Orbán-linked interests, raising fresh press-freedom alarms. Slovenia Watch: UNICEF reports Slovenia’s child poverty risk is rising, and a poll shows many oppose the omnibus bill.

Eurovision Fallout: Four audience members were ejected from the first semi-final in Vienna after disruptive protests during Israel’s Noam Bettan performance, with “Stop the genocide” and “Free, free Palestine” audible on the broadcast; the EBU says it removed the protest audio from the online upload, while Bettan says he heard boos at first then felt a “wave” of support. Boycott Pressure: The row is deepening the split across broadcasters, with Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia among the countries boycotting TV coverage, and more calls to turn off broadcasts ahead of Israel’s Grand Final slot. EU Politics: Separately, the EU has approved sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, a move met with outrage in Israel and criticism from opponents who say it doesn’t go far enough. Slovenia Business: Slovenia’s NLB has opened a takeover bid for Austria’s Addiko Bank at €29 per share, aiming for a controlling stake. Sports: In the NBA, Luka Dončić’s hamstring injury has ended the Lakers’ run as they were swept by OKC.

Eurovision Fallout: Israel’s Noam Bettan reached the Eurovision final in Vienna after “stop the genocide” chants disrupted his semi-final performance, with security removing protesters and the moment spilling across broadcasts and social media. Broadcast Boycotts: Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland have refused to air Eurovision this year, turning the contest into a live political flashpoint. EU Justice Move: The EU is set to join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression against Ukraine, with Denmark already on board and a vote due at the Council of Europe meeting in Moldova. Banking Shockwave: Slovenia’s NLB has relaunched its takeover bid for Austria’s Addiko Bank at €29 per share, aiming for a 75% voting threshold. Slovenia Watch: The country is preparing its NEPN 2030–2040 energy and climate plan, while a new Podim win highlights BioSistemika’s DNA data storage push. Health & Safety: A cruise ship in Bordeaux reported suspected norovirus/gastro illness cases, prompting testing and short cancellations.