Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has officially opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The site is dedicated to the sterile filling and packaging of complex biologics and xRNA medicines, marking a significant expansion of the company's manufacturing capabilities in Europe to support the production of innovative therapies.
Slovenia celebrated its annual Statehood Day on June 25, marking the 33rd anniversary of its 1991 declaration of independence from Yugoslavia. The nation held official ceremonies and cultural events to honor the historic milestone that established its sovereignty and path toward European integration.
German cyclist Florian Lipowitz has won the 2026 Tour of Slovenia, securing the general classification title after a decisive victory in the race's final stage. Lipowitz's performance throughout the multi-day event solidified his position at the top of the leaderboard, marking a significant achievement in his professional cycling career.
Air Montenegro has announced a reduced operational schedule for its Tivat to Ljubljana route in 2026. The airline will operate flights between the two cities for a limited period, running from September 1 through September 26, 2026, marking a significant adjustment to its seasonal service offerings between Montenegro and Slovenia.
Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar has secured his third career victory at the prestigious Tour of Flanders. While the win marks a significant milestone in his professional career, the achievement is currently overshadowed by reports that race officials are investigating the cyclist for allegedly running a red light during the competition, which could result in a fine.
State-owned Slovenian Railways (Slovenske železnice) has officially initiated a public tender for the construction of a new central bus station in Ljubljana. This long-awaited infrastructure project aims to modernize the capital's transport hub, integrating bus and rail services to improve connectivity and passenger experience in the heart of Slovenia.
Slovenian footwear retailer Mass, in partnership with the investment firm ACP, has successfully completed the acquisition of the Austrian shoe retailer Leder & Schuh. This strategic move marks a significant expansion for the Slovenian company into the Austrian market, consolidating its presence in the regional footwear industry.
Slovenia's intelligence and security agency, SOVA, has confirmed instances of foreign influence during the country's recent parliamentary elections. The findings were presented to the National Security Council, highlighting efforts to manipulate public opinion and disrupt the democratic process through cyber activities and disinformation campaigns.
The Slovenian Government, at its 182nd regular session on December 5, 2025, adopted significant legislation, including a draft Act on Salaries and Remuneration of Public Employees and Officials Related to Work Abroad, an amendment to the Act on the First Pension Fund, and a decision on partial reimbursement of wage compensation for reduced working hours.
Slovenia has voted against a law that would have allowed terminally ill patients to end their lives. Approximately 53% of voters rejected the bill in a binding referendum held on November 23, 2025, effectively suspending the legislation for at least one year. The turnout was nearly 41%.
Slovenia's specialized state prosecutor's office has requested a judicial investigation against Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković and 20 other individuals. The allegations include receiving benefits for illegal mediation, giving bribes, and inciting abuse of position or trust in economic activity, marking the latest in a series of legal challenges for the long-serving mayor.
Slovenia's Krsko nuclear power plant generated a net 29,621 MWh of electricity in October, surpassing its operational target by 23.4%. This notable achievement occurred despite the plant undergoing a scheduled month-long overhaul, underscoring its efficiency and critical role in the region's energy supply.
Slovenian and Italian electricity transmission operators, ELES and Terna, have signed a €250 million agreement to significantly upgrade their cross-border grid. The project aims to boost transmission capacity by over 50 percent, adding 600 MW, and is slated for completion by 2031.
Slovenian President Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, for an official visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and bilateral relations. She was welcomed by Qatari officials and participated in a business meeting to explore investment opportunities and enhance trade between the two nations.
Ljubljana Airport's winter flight schedule, effective October 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026, features 18 airlines serving 21 destinations. New routes to Las Palmas, Manchester, and Barcelona are introduced, alongside increased frequencies on existing services, signaling significant growth in passenger traffic and enhanced air connectivity for Slovenia.
Slovenia's government has initiated discussions on a draft act to gradually close the Velenje coal mine and liquidate its operator, Premogovnik Velenje, by 2033. This move is a key step in the nation's coal phase-out strategy, supported by over 1.1 billion euros in state funding and EU Just Transition funds, aiming for a fair transition for the region.
Slovenia has recorded a significant trade balance surplus of 2 billion euro in the first eight months of 2025, a notable improvement from a 2.7 billion euro deficit in the same period last year. This positive shift is driven by a substantial 22.3% increase in exports, particularly to non-EU countries, outpacing a 9.4% rise in imports.
Slovenia's budget deficit for the first nine months of 2025 reached 953 million euro, marking a significant increase of 487 million euro compared to the same period in the previous year. This widening deficit is attributed to rising expenditures, including increased transfers to the pension fund, higher labor costs, and ongoing flood reconstruction efforts.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob stated on October 1, 2025, that no viable peace plan for Gaza can exist without Israel's recognition of an independent Palestinian state. This declaration reinforces Slovenia's consistent diplomatic efforts, including its official recognition of Palestine in June 2024, aimed at fostering a two-state solution.
Slovenia's Ministry of Solidarity-Based Future has allocated 3.14 million euros to social welfare providers. This funding aims to co-finance the development of a quality and safety treatment model, stemming from a new public call under the Law on temporary measures, which came into effect in August 2024.
