AGP Executive Report

European Diplomacy: Slovenia hosted the Arraiolos Group of EU presidents for the first time, with President Nataša Pirc Musar welcoming counterparts to discuss the EU’s role, human rights and international cooperation. Referendum: Preliminary results showed voters backed the public-broadcasting licence fee. Former election official Zorčič said ballots from early voting and OMNIA polling stations were entered after the regular count was complete. Security: The government highlighted plans to strengthen defence capabilities and protection against disasters. Slovenia also reaffirmed support for Ukraine and its path to EU membership.

Presidential Diplomacy: Slovenia hosted the Arraiolos Group for the first time, bringing EU heads of state together to discuss Europe’s role in a period of geopolitical strain, human rights, democracy and the future of multilateral institutions. Referendum Fallout: Recent votes exposed sharp political divisions: voters backed keeping the public-broadcaster fee and rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules, while other ballots challenged government reforms and local voting rights for non-EU residents. Energy Policy: Prime Minister Janez Janša said the government should use every available option to keep energy prices stable.

European Diplomacy: Slovenia hosted the Arraiolos Group for the first time, bringing EU presidents together to discuss the bloc’s global role, multilateral cooperation and the defence of human rights and international law. Referendum Fallout: Four votes exposed a sharp political divide. Voters rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules, backed keeping RTV Slovenia’s licence fee and supported ending non-EU citizens’ local voting rights, dealing setbacks to parts of the government’s reform agenda. Vote-Count Scrutiny: Zorčič said early and OMNIA polling-station ballots were entered after the regular count was complete, drawing attention to how results were reported.

European Diplomacy: Slovenia hosted the Arraiolos Group for the first time, welcoming 12 European presidents to discuss the EU’s security, global role and response to multiple crises. President Nataša Pirc Musar convened the talks in Ljubljana and Brdo. Referendum Fallout: Four referendums exposed divisions over the government’s agenda. Voters rejected changes to the parliamentary inquiry law, while a proposal to scrap the public-broadcasting fee also failed, dealing a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform push. Energy Policy: Janša said the government must use all available options to keep energy prices stable.

European Summitry: Slovenia hosted the Arraiolos Group for the first time, with President Nataša Pirc Musar welcoming 12 European presidents to discuss the EU’s security, global role and response to multiple crises. Ireland’s Catherine Connolly criticized sanctions against the International Criminal Court, while Italy’s Sergio Mattarella called for an ambitious EU budget and faster decision-making. Migration Policy: Slovenia joined an informal meeting of EU governments discussing tighter action against irregular migration and migrant smuggling. Referendum Results: Voters backed linking social assistance to community service and ending local voting rights for non-EU citizens, but rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules and narrowly voted to retain the public-broadcasting licence fee—delivering a mixed result for Janez Janša’s government. Ukraine: Slovenia reaffirmed support for Ukraine and its EU accession, according to Ukrainian parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Referendum Fallout: Slovenian voters backed tying social assistance to community service and ending non-EU citizens’ local voting rights, but rejected changes to the parliamentary inquiry law. The RTV licence fee narrowly survived. Election officials are reviewing delays, including long queues at Ljubljana’s OMNIA polling station; some early and OMNIA ballots were entered only after the regular count. EU Budget: At the Brussels summit, Slovenia joined 16 other “Friends of Cohesion” countries in opposing a proposed €141 billion cut to the next EU budget. Italian President Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the Arraiolos meeting near Ljubljana, urged an ambitious budget and faster EU decision-making. Migration Policy: Slovenia also took part in Giorgia Meloni’s meeting with EU countries seeking tougher measures to curb irregular migration. Ukraine: Slovenia reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s EU membership and discussed continued assistance with Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker.

Ljubljana Diplomacy: Slovenia is hosting 11 visiting European presidents for talks on the EU’s response to global crises and the future of international institutions. EU Budget: At a summit on the next seven-year budget, Slovenia joined 16 other “Friends of Cohesion” states in rejecting steep proposed cuts, as divisions with net contributors threaten agreement. Referendum Fallout: Four referendums exposed a sharp political divide and dealt setbacks to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. Voters rejected changes to the parliamentary inquiry law and a proposal to scrap RTV Slovenija’s licence fee. Ukraine: Slovenia reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s EU membership and agreed with Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker to continue efforts to return deported Ukrainian children.

Referendums: Slovenia’s four votes exposed a sharp political divide, with voters rejecting the proposed abolition of RTV Slovenija’s licence fee and changes to the parliamentary inquiry law. The results mark a setback for parts of Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. Law Enforcement: Slovenian police and Europol dismantled two international drug-smuggling networks, arresting 34 suspects in one case and seizing tonnes of drugs across several countries. A separate probe uncovered an alleged €285 million cocaine operation using Slovenia-based transport firms. Business and Red Tape: At an AmCham event, Janša said excessive rules and administrative delays were holding back development, citing 24,000 national laws and regulations and stalled road projects.

Cross-Border Crime: Slovenian police and Europol say they dismantled two international drug-smuggling networks, arresting 34 suspects and seizing tonnes of drugs in one investigation. A second case allegedly involved Slovenia-based transport firms and a cocaine shipment worth €285 million. Referendum Fallout: Four votes exposed a sharp political divide and dealt Prime Minister Janez Janša a setback. Voters rejected an assisted-dying law and changes to parliamentary inquiry rules, backed keeping RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, and voted to end non-EU citizens’ local voting rights. EU Policy: Slovenia joined 12 other member states in urging the EU to simplify existing rules, cut overlapping compliance burdens and focus on implementing laws already in force.

EU Rulebook: Slovenia joined 12 member states in urging the EU to review and simplify existing rules, with each major new compliance burden preceded by a review of current obligations. The European Commission says it supports a stronger focus on implementing EU laws. Referendum Setback: Preliminary results show voters rejected changes to the parliamentary inquiry law and the proposed abolition of RTV Slovenija’s licence fee, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. The four ballots also put local voting rights for non-EU citizens in the spotlight.

Referendums: Slovenian voters delivered a mixed verdict in four ballots, rejecting changes to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act and backing the continued RTV Slovenija licence fee, while also voting to end local voting rights for non-EU citizens. The results expose a sharp political divide and deal a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform push; the licence-fee count remains preliminary pending postal ballots. Čeferin’s Bid: Slovenian UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin says he will seek a fourth term in 2027, reversing his earlier decision to step down as tensions with FIFA continue. Foreign Policy: Slovenia joined 33 other countries and the EU’s foreign policy chief in condemning alleged Iranian threats and attacks across Europe.

Referendums: Slovenian voters delivered a mixed verdict in four referendums, rejecting changes to parliamentary inquiry rules and other disputed measures while preliminary results favored keeping the RTV Slovenia licence fee. The outcomes expose a sharp political divide and deal a setback to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s reform agenda. Ljubljana–Vienna ties: The capitals agreed to deepen cooperation on public transport, social housing and sustainable tourism, building on a partnership dating to 1999. Housing costs: Slovenian rents rose 10% year on year in the second quarter, the EU’s third-largest increase, behind Romania and Croatia. Foreign policy: Slovenia joined 29 countries condemning Iran over alleged hostile activity abroad, including a suspected plot near RAF Fairford in Britain.

Ljubljana–Vienna Ties: The capitals have agreed to deepen cooperation on public transport, sustainable mobility, social housing and tourism, building on a partnership dating to 1999. Referendum Results: Slovenian voters rejected changes to parliamentary inquiry rules, a setback for Prime Minister Janez Janša. They also narrowly rejected scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee, with postal votes still to be counted. Voters backed proposals for community-service requirements for some welfare recipients and limits on non-EU citizens’ local voting rights; turnout reached a record 54.5%. Foreign Policy: Slovenia joined more than 30 countries in condemning Iran’s alleged use of attacks, sabotage and cyber operations, and backed the UK’s attribution of the RAF Fairford incident to Iran.

Referendum Setback: Slovenian voters rejected a government-backed expansion of parliamentary inquiry powers, with about 51% voting no and turnout near 54%. The result dealt a blow to Prime Minister Janez Janša’s agenda in a major test for his government. Public Media: Voters also narrowly rejected abolishing the mandatory RTV Slovenija fee: the latest unofficial count showed 50.04% opposed, with some ballots still to be counted. Local Voting Rights: About 55.5% backed restricting local election voting to Slovenian and EU citizens. The advisory result is not legally binding, but signals support for a restriction already passed by parliament. Voters also backed making social assistance conditional on community service.

Referendum Test: Slovenia held four referendums on Sunday, the first electoral test for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government, formed in June. Three nonbinding ballots asked voters about ending RTV Slovenia’s mandatory fee, requiring community service for social assistance, and restricting local voting rights to Slovenian and EU citizens. A separate vote concerned changes to the parliamentary inquiry law; rejecting it requires at least one-fifth of eligible voters to vote no. Public Media: The proposed fee abolition has renewed concern over RTV Slovenia’s independence and funding, with critics warning that removing the fee could weaken the broadcaster.

Referendum Test: Voting is under way across Slovenia on four referendums, the first major test for Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government, formed in June. The binding vote concerns amendments to the parliamentary-investigation law; three advisory questions ask whether to scrap the RTV Slovenia licence fee, make social assistance conditional on community service, and limit local voting rights to Slovenian and EU citizens. Polls close at 7 p.m., with early results expected after 8:30 p.m. Foreign Relations: Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer met Vietnam’s ambassador in Ljubljana to advance ties, including closer links between the Port of Koper and Vietnamese ports and Slovenia’s ratification of the EU–Vietnam investment agreement.