Maribor hosts first Slovenian ministry headquarters outside Ljubljana

Prime Minister Janez Janša and Minister Monika Kirbiš Rojs have officially opened the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development in Maribor. This marks the first time a Slovenian ministry has established a seat outside of the capital, Ljubljana, as part of a government initiative to decentralize state administration.

The move aims to promote polycentric regional development and improve the accessibility of public services. The ministry currently employs 262 people, with 71 located in Maribor. Minister Kirbiš Rojs emphasized that the relocation is intended to strengthen all regions, noting that the ministry will maintain units in Ljubljana and Štanjel to ensure presence in both the Styria and Primorska regions. The government intends to pursue further relocations of state institutions to reduce the centralization of the country.