Stories from Quick Reads and Slovenia
Slovenia: Projections for Parliamentary Elections
Sleeping with Pengovsky analyses opinion polls for the upcoming December 4 parliamentary elections in Slovenia.
Slovenia: OccupyLjubljana Evolves Into “Boj Za” (“Fight For”)
This week, PIRAN CAFÉ has been posting updates, photos and video from the OccupyLjubljana protest, which is taking place in front of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, Borza: “BORZA is Slovenian for bourse, or stock exchange. At yesterday’s demonstration, the R was knocked off the archway. Today it was replaced with...
Slovenia: #OccupyLjubljana on Oct. 15
PIRAN CAFÉ posts photos from Ljubljana's recently renovated Congress Square and writes that this is where the #OccupyLjubljana gathering is expected to take place on Oct. 15 – “one of dozens, if not hundreds planned around the globe that day.”
Slovenia: Notes on the Dec. 4 Early Elections
Dr. Filomena writes that Janez Janša, “the man considered most likely to form Slovenia’s next government,” has blocked her as well as a few journalists on Twitter, but hopes that Janša's SDS party wins in the Dec. 4 early parliamentary elections: “[…] For three years, these people have spared no...
Slovenia: Government Loses Confidence Vote
Sleeping With Pengovsky reports that the government of PM Borut Pahor has lost a confidence vote in parliament.
Slovenia: Former PM Andrej Bajuk Dies
Sleeping With Pengovsky writes about Andrej Bajuk, Slovenia's former PM, who died at the age of 67 this past Monday.
Slovenia: A Comment on the U.K. Riots
Sleeping With Pengovsky comments on the riots and looting in the U.K.: “But I must say I got the heebie-jeebies when I heard on the BBC that some people were thinking of bringing in the army. Please, don’t. […] I come from the part of the world where there was...
The Balkans: Travel Blogs
At Balkan Travellers, Sarah Hucal writes about Yugo Yoga performance that took place on a makeshift stage at Belgrade's Museum of Yugoslav History in July 2011; more of Hucal's Balkan travel writing and photos are at her blog, Solo in the Balkans. Jana Orsolic's Istria Week travel photos and journal...
Lithuania: Slovenian Blogger Comments on Vilnius Mayor's Tank Stunt
Piran Café‘s updates the blog's somewhat neglected “self-absorbed bike lane-parking morons” section with a vivid example from Lithuania, where the mayor of Vilnius Arturas Zuokas drove an armored personnel carrier over a Mercedes, which had been acquired specifically for the stunt and parked in a bike lane. “The best use...
Slovenia: New Twists in Arms Bribery Affaire
Sleeping With Pengovsky posts an update about new developments in Slovenia's scandal over bribery in the Patria affaire concerning purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers from a Finnish company.
Central and Eastern Europe: Economies more exposed than expected
Edward Hugh of Baltic Economy Watch argues that Central and East European economies are more exposed to risk in case of a Eurozone crisis than what financial ratings say.
Slovenia: No Early Elections
Sleeping With Pengovsky explains the current political situation in Slovenia and concludes that the early elections aren't likely in the near future.
Slovenia: Law on Mayor/MP Conflict of Interest; New Family Code
Sleeping With Pengovsky reports that “a law establishing a conflict of interests between holding an office of mayor and MP at the same time” has been passed in Slovenia, and also writes about the attitudes towards “the new Family Code which – among other things – was meant to allow...
The Balkans: Most Influential ex-Yu Twitter Users
Dragan Varagić published his analysis of the most influential Twitter users [sr] from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro, done through manual selection and consulting ratings services.
The Balkans: Turbo-folk and Rock Mashups
Mashup clips by YouTube user apostolski, which combine video footage of Coldplay, U2 and Queen with Serbian turbo-folk songs are poised to become the next big viral hit among Balkan social media users and bloggers [MKD]. Some have already “spilled over” into traditional media like TV call-in show Jadi burek...
Slovenia: Pension Reform
Sleeping With Pengovsky posts an update on the pension reform in Slovenia.
Slovenia: Referendum Results
Sleeping With Pengovsky writes about the “disastrous” results and the implications of the referendum on Slovenia's public TV law: “The law was nixed with 72.64 percent votes against and only 27.36 percent in favour, with a criminally low voter turnout.”
Slovenia: More on Public TV Referendum
Sleeping With Pengovsky posts the last installment on the upcoming public TV referendum: “If the law is confirmed, common sense and quality media have a fighting chance. Nothing more, nothing less. If the law is defeated, then… well…”
Slovenia: More on Sunday's Referendum
Sleeping With Pengovsky writes more about Sunday's referendum, examining the potential benefits of the new public TV law.
Slovenia: National Radio and TV Referendum
Sleeping With Pengovsky reports that “Slovenia is to hold yet another referendum this Sunday, this time on the recently passed law on national radio-television, RTV Slovenia”: “In short, it’s about turning state radio and television into public radio and television once again.”
Slovenia: Correcting the Cablegate Story
Piran Café and Sleeping With Pengovsky (here and here) are sorting out WikiLeaks’ content pertaining to Slovenia.
