Brussels urged Slovenia to arrange the financing of national radio and television

Brussels – The European Commission has called on Slovenia to address the financing of Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVS) in its rule of law report. At the same time, it is urging the country to complete measures to increase the salaries of judges and prosecutors, as Slovenian authorities have yet to fully implement a constitutional court ruling.

Based on discussions with various stakeholders in Slovenia, the Commission notes that the law on RTVS, adopted last year, which changed the governance model of the Slovenian radio and television, has contributed to its independence. However, RTVS is now facing a financial crisis.

“Changes in financing are needed to ensure adequate resources,” the report states. Brussels thus recommends that Slovenia adopt rules or establish mechanisms that will provide the public media with sufficient funds to perform public service and at the same time ensure its independence.

In the area of judicial independence, the European Commission recommends that Slovenia “complete measures to increase the salaries of judges and state prosecutors, taking into account European standards.”

In addition, they noted that since last year’s report, the country has made some progress in this area. Following last year’s recommendation to take measures to increase the salaries of judges and state prosecutors, the Slovenian government proposed a partial increase in salaries, and the constitutional court determined how to implement the ruling on the unconstitutionality of judicial salaries from June 2023.

The deadline for its implementation expired in early January this year, which also triggered a strike by judges and state prosecutors, noted Brussels. The state will pay higher salaries to judges in September. (24 July)