AGP Executive Report

EU Court Clash: The European Commission reiterated support for the ICC and condemned “attacks or threats” after US sanctions against ICC figures, while refusing to comment on the Albanese case. Slovenia’s Energy Push: Slovenia is rolling out a new electricity-sharing system for prosumers from July, letting solar owners share surplus power across the country via 15-minute settlement periods. Labour Rights Fight: SDS and NSi filed a bill to scrap the automatic wage deduction of trade union dues. Regional Energy Economics: A Belgrade panel warns the EU’s CBAM carbon border tax is already destabilising electricity trading in the Western Balkans, cutting liquidity and cross-border trade. Public Life & Values: Ljubljana and Budapest mayors backed pride parades as a democracy measure, rejecting bans. Health & Access: Greece extended its strict “5/11” reimbursement filter, raising fresh fears of delayed access to innovative medicines. Crime Crackdown: Europol backed a multi-country operation dismantling a €240m fake medicines network.

Eurovision Fallout: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” taking 516 points and beating Israel’s Noam Bettan (second, 343) in a final dominated by Gaza-linked protests and a five-country boycott that also left the UK’s “Look Mum No Computer” on nul points. EU Politics: The dispute fed into wider tensions over how the European Broadcasting Union handled Israel’s participation, with broadcasters and governments publicly splitting over what “neutral” culture should mean. Sports Glance: Across the Atlantic, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander repeated as NBA MVP, becoming the 14th player to win back-to-back awards. Local Angle: Slovenia’s business scene continues to wrestle with labour shortages and rising costs as SMEs push the green and digital shift—an issue that will shape how the country competes long after the Eurovision lights fade.

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan to first place in a final dominated by protests and a five-country boycott over Israel’s Gaza war. Boycott Fallout: Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia skipped the contest and some broadcasters refused to air it, while inside the arena Bettan faced boos and Palestinian flags as the public vote repeatedly reshuffled the leaderboard. Local Angle for Slovenia/Croatia: Amid the wider European backlash, BDS activists say solidarity work is expanding fast—Fiona Ben Chekroun recently met Palestine-support groups in Ljubljana, Rijeka and Zagreb to discuss how campaigns are growing across the region. Business Pressure: Separately, Slovenia’s SMEs are pushing through labour shortages, higher costs and new green/digital demands, with the Enterprise Fund warning smaller firms are under the most strain.

Eurovision Aftershock: Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna for the first time, with Dara’s “Bangaranga” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan (“Michelle”) into second place—an outcome that landed in the middle of a Gaza-fuelled boycott and protests. Boycott Fallout: Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands stayed away, and even inside the arena Israel’s big public-vote surge drew boos and Palestinian flags, while organizers faced fresh scrutiny over how politics keeps swallowing the show. Local Angle for Slovenia: Slovenia’s broadcaster boycott put the country directly in the centre of the dispute, and the final’s politics also reignited debate about whether Eurovision should ever be “just music.” Tech & Drama: The night also featured last-minute staging glitches for Czechia, plus rehearsals for “fake boos” as Israel’s act prepared for a hostile reception. Regional Ripples: Croatia’s 12 points to Serbia (and Serbia’s zero back) added another reminder that Balkan voting can still carry more than melody.

Eurovision Fallout: Vienna’s grand final goes ahead tonight with 25 acts, but the show is still shadowed by a record boycott over Israel’s participation in the Gaza war. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland are out—and some broadcasters won’t air the contest at all—while organisers insist Eurovision is “apolitical” and say they’re ready for fresh disruptions. Political Pressure: Eurovision’s executive director Martin Green has also stirred fresh anger by saying Russia could “theoretically” return if its broadcaster meets rules, undercutting the contest’s neutrality message. Local Governance: In Ljubljana, the Human Rights Ombudsman says the right to a decent burial is a fundamental human right, after a centre-right coalition drafted a bill to formalise obligations for post-war summary killing victims. EU Enlargement: Seven EU states urged faster Western Balkan accession, warning candidate countries must still meet EU rules.

Eurovision Final, Vienna: The 70th Eurovision grand final is under way with 25 acts battling for the crown, but the night is still defined by the Gaza-linked boycott: Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have pulled out, while protests in Vienna’s streets and “No Stage for Genocide” events keep the spotlight on Israel’s participation. On-stage friction: Friday’s grand-final rehearsal was briefly derailed when a curtain failed to open, forcing a restart, and some props arrived late, leaving presenters to improvise. Local angle for Slovenia: Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTVS has said it will not air the contest, instead running “Voices of Palestine.” Regional mobility: Away from the politics, the Adriatic Express returns for summer 2026 with direct Czech–Adriatic overnight trains, now also connecting to Koper for the first time. Slovenia economy: Q1 growth hit 3% year-on-year, with consumption up and investment in buildings surging, though the central bank warns Middle East uncertainty could weigh on the rest of the year.

Eurovision Fallout: Vienna’s grand final rehearsal hit a snag when a curtain failed to open, forcing organisers to restart the opening segment; props also arrived late for Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu, leaving presenters to improvise. Israel vs. the Contest: Noam Bettan qualified after earlier boos and “stop the genocide” chants, as protests and boycotts keep turning the show into a political flashpoint. UK Jury Spotlight: Drag performer La Voix is confirmed as the UK’s first “spokesqueen,” announcing national jury results live in Saturday’s final. Slovenia at Home: Slovenia’s economy grew 3% year-on-year in Q1, with exports and investment lifting the rebound, though the central bank warns the rest of the year may face pressure. Justice Track: 36 countries signed up for a special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with Slovenia among the supporters. Local Culture: Ljubljana designer Tomato Košir won an ADC Gold Cube for newspaper cover work.

Eurovision Aftermath: Delta Goodrem has blasted Australia into the Eurovision final with “Eclipse,” ending a two-year non-qualification streak as the final lineup was locked in after Thursday’s semi-final. Vienna Protests: The Israel row stayed front and center—security removed disruptive protesters during Israel’s run, while flags and booing were still allowed, keeping the contest’s “music only” promise under strain. Local Angle: Slovenia’s public broadcaster boycott debate is echoed by the wider European split, with Slovenia named among the five countries that stayed away from the show. Regional Media Watch: In the Balkans, a leaked deal says United Group’s media assets could be sold to a fund linked to Orbán’s political orbit—raising fresh alarms about pressure on independent reporting. Ljubljana Culture: A ceramics triennial opened in Ljubljana, alongside SAZU leadership news with Franc Forstnerič elected president.

Eurovision in Vienna: The second semi-final is underway as protests over Israel’s participation keep spilling into the arena. Israeli singer Noam Bettan says he chose to focus on “a huge wave of love and support” after “stop the genocide” chants and four protesters were removed for disruption. EU foreign policy & justice: Switzerland is set to join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression against Ukraine, with a formal vote due May 15. Pro-Palestine mobilization: Brussels is preparing a major Palestine demonstration on May 17 calling for an end to trade agreements with Israel and an arms embargo. Slovenia domestic: Government reintroduces a partial environmental tax on fuels (price-neutral adjustment) while cutting petrol excise duty; it also approved EUR 30m aid via Borzen for energy-intensive firms. Culture & institutions: Ljubljana hosts a ceramics triennial opening; mathematician Franc Forstnerič was elected new SAZU president. Media & rights: CME joined an anti-piracy coalition (ACE).

Eurovision Fallout: Israel’s Noam Bettan reached the final in Vienna despite boos and “stop the genocide” chants, with security removing four people after attempts to disrupt the performance; the EBU says it kept the focus on music and even stripped the protest audio from the online upload. BDS Momentum: BDS co-coordinator Fiona Ben Chekroun toured Ljubljana, Rijeka and Zagreb, describing an “exponential growth” in Palestine solidarity and pushing boycott/divestment/sanctions campaigns in Slovenia and Croatia. EU Enlargement Talk: In Bratislava, Slovenia’s EU enlargement agenda got a spotlight as Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico met Commissioner Marta Kos, backing Western Balkan accession while defending veto rights. Banking Deal Watch: Ljubljana’s NLB published the prospectus for a renewed voluntary takeover of Austria’s Addiko at €29/share, aiming for 75% control. Local Memory Politics: Slovenia is also seeing renewed debate over post-WWII remembrance, including a bill proposal tied to Ljubljana’s central cemetery.

Banking Deal: NLB has formally kicked off a renewed takeover bid for Austria’s Addiko Bank, offering €29 per share in cash (up from €22 in 2024) and seeking at least 75% voting rights; the acceptance period runs May 13–July 22, with regulatory and ECB “suitability” checks still required. EU Justice: The EU is set to join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression against Ukraine, with Denmark also joining and the legal-status agreement due for a vote at the Council of Europe meeting in Moldova on May 15. Climate Accountability: A new push is spotlighting how military emissions are missing from climate reporting, arguing wars’ pollution is being left uncounted. Eurovision Fallout: In Vienna, Israel’s Noam Bettan reached the final amid “stop the genocide” chants and security removals, while multiple broadcasters boycotted the show—turning Eurovision into a live political flashpoint. Local Politics: Speaker Zoran Stevanović backs stricter secret-ballot rules, while the Left urges Marko Lotrič to step down as National Council president. Business & Society: Ljubljana’s BioSistemika won Podim’s pitching top prize for DNA data storage tech; meanwhile, Slovenia’s development report flags high quality of life but rising poverty risk and weak productivity growth.

Eurovision Fallout: Vienna’s first semi-final opened under a Gaza-shadowed boycott, with Israel qualifying for Saturday’s final despite Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland staying away from both the contest and (in some cases) the broadcast. Protest & Security: Police ramped up “far beyond the usual” measures as pro-Palestinian demonstrations stayed smaller than feared, while Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig warned protesters they’d be met with heavy security. On-Stage Results: Ten acts booked their places, including Finland and Israel, while Portugal, Georgia, Montenegro, Estonia and San Marino were eliminated. Local Angle (Slovenia): Outside the arena, Ljubljana’s BTC Crystal Palace won a DGNB Gold sustainability-in-use certificate—another reminder that culture politics and urban policy are running in parallel. Sport & Other Signals: A separate spotlight hit Slovenia-linked sports and public life, but the week’s dominant storyline remains Eurovision’s political rupture.

Eurovision Fallout in Vienna: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday amid a boycott that has split Europe and cut participation to the lowest since 2003, with Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands staying out over Israel’s inclusion. Local Media Counterprogramming: Ireland’s RTÉ is replacing the final with a Eurovision-themed “Father Ted” episode, a move that sparked a furious backlash from “Father Ted” co-creator Graham Linehan, who called it a “tool of antisemitic harassment” and demanded RTÉ’s director-general resign. Slovenia Angle: Slovenia is also boycotting TV coverage, while Israel’s entrant Noam Bettan is still competing and drawing scrutiny over voting-messaging claims. Ljubljana Politics: A bill has been tabled to restore a remembrance day and set out new burial and commemoration rules for post-WWII summary-killing victims at Ljubljana’s Žale cemetery. EU Foreign Policy: Separately, the EU agreed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers after Hungary lifted a veto, signaling a shift from deadlock to action.

EU Sanctions: The EU agreed to blacklist three Israeli settler figures and four settler-linked groups over West Bank violence, adding travel bans and asset freezes after Hungary’s new leadership withdrew its veto—ending months of deadlock. Eurovision Fallout: Vienna’s 70th Eurovision opened under heavy strain: five countries (Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland) boycotted over Israel’s participation, while Israel’s broadcaster faced a formal warning for urging viewers to vote “10 times,” amid claims of a wider state-backed voting push. Security & Culture Clash: Organisers rolled out an unusually tight security setup for the contest, even as protests and counter-protests are expected to intensify. Local Politics (Ljubljana): In the National Assembly, Špela Ocvirk was appointed new secretary general, and Nataša Avšič Bogovič elected a vice president—both signaling fresh reshuffles as coalition politics continues to churn.

Eurovision Fallout: Spain, Ireland and Slovenia’s public broadcasters confirmed they will not air Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, joining a wider boycott over Israel’s participation; RTVSLO will run “Voices of Palestine,” RTÉ will broadcast “Father Ted” instead of the final, and RTVE will air “The House of Music,” as Vienna braces for protests and possible disruptions. EBU Rule Clash: Eurovision issued a formal warning to Israel’s broadcaster Kan after it encouraged viewers to “vote 10 times,” prompting organisers to tighten limits and curb third-party campaigning. EU Foreign Policy: The EU agreed fresh sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers, with officials also drafting options to curb trade tied to illegal settlements. Ukraine Mobility: Slovenia’s government expanded the list of countries eligible for simplified Ukrainian citizenship, adding many EU states. Culture Funding: Over 4,500 film professionals signed an open letter defending Creative Europe’s MEDIA strand as the EU examines merging it into the new AgoraEU programme. Local Human Toll: Three migrants drowned crossing the Kolpa into Slovenia, highlighting the ongoing danger on the route.

In the last 12 hours, the most policy-relevant cluster concerns Slovenia’s political and institutional setup and near-term state capacity. A report says the new parliament will have 23 working bodies, with the party “Truth” opting out of oversight bodies and the Democratic Party (SDS) expected to chair the most bodies—an arrangement that is already framed as a point of contention. In parallel, a separate item says deputy group leaders will discuss the composition of working bodies with National Assembly President Zoran Stevanović, again highlighting the “Truth” party’s status as a sticking point. Alongside this, the government confirmed an investment programme to expand the Divača–Koper rail link into a dual track (cost estimated at EUR 430 million at current prices, excluding VAT), and adopted a report on Armed Forces investments for 2025, noting contracts and disbursed funds totalling EUR 54.2 million for ground-based air defence systems and artillery.

Economic and governance signals also feature prominently in the same 12-hour window. A business-focused report says Slovenian corporate profits rose in 2025 across sectors, with corporate net profits at €7.3 billion (+13% nominal, +10% real), and improved return on equity (9.9%). Separately, the finance minister is quoted arguing Slovenia’s public finances are “not catastrophic” but under “extreme pressures,” emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility. There is also a clear “state support for investment” thread: the government will provide up to EUR 16.8 million in subsidy for Palfinger’s EUR 61.5 million investment in Ormož, and the same period includes a government confirmation of the rail expansion—both pointing to continued industrial and infrastructure backing.

Several other last-12-hours items are more sectoral or societal than political, but still indicate active agendas. A panel hosted by President Nataša Pirc Musar urges that AI and computer science be integrated into school curricula immediately, including a dedicated computer science subject starting in primary school. The president also awarded the Golden Order of Merit to Slovenian AI professor Ivan Bratko for contributions to AI research. On the local governance front, a court ruling is described as a major legal roadblock for Ljubljana’s disputed C0 sewerage pipeline, after the court found local authorities unlawfully forced a right of way across private land. Finally, there are also notable “external” stories appearing in the feed (e.g., Eurovision security planning in Vienna and political controversy around Israel’s participation), but they are not directly tied to Ljubljana-specific decision-making in the provided excerpts.

Older coverage from 3 to 7 days ago provides continuity on broader themes but is less Ljubljana-specific in the evidence shown. It includes discussion of potential Ljubljana mayoral candidates and a question about whether Ljubljana is “ready to let Janković go,” suggesting ongoing local political uncertainty. It also contains background on Slovenia’s institutional and policy environment (e.g., mentions of Slovenia’s slower implementation of GRECO financial transparency recommendations and broader fiscal-risk warnings), but the provided older excerpts are not as detailed as the last-12-hours items. Overall, the most concrete, corroborated developments in the past day are the parliamentary working-body arrangement, the government’s investment commitments (rail and defence), and the AI-education push—while other topics appear more fragmented or primarily international in scope.