Janez Janša, seen here with Viktor Orbán at a European People’s Party summit in March this year, says voters who supported his party have put Slovenia first. European People’s Party

Janez Janša, seen here with Viktor Orbán at a European People’s Party summit in March this year, says voters who supported his party have put Slovenia first. European People’s Party

Orbán ally wins in Slovenia

Slovenia faces political uncertainty after the victors in Sunday’s elections of Janez Janša’s Slovenia Democratic party. The party, which campaigned on a “Slovenia first” platform, won close to 25% of the vote. But Janša, who has is an ally of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán,  may struggle to form a coalition as most other party leaders have rejected the possibility of joining a coalition with him says The Guardian. “We will probably have to wait for some time … before serious talks on a new government will be possible,” he said after the result. Janša also said migration was the biggest challenge facing Slovenia and Europe.

Greece eases capital controls

The Greek government today will double the amount depositors will be able to withdraw from their accounts from €2,300 to €5,000 per month. The relaxation of capital controls is a signal that the country is returning to post-bailout normality, The Guardian reports. “The relaxation is as much about boosting confidence among investors and savers as showing banks can now afford to work under normal conditions,” said a senior official at the Bank of Greece.

Evans to be sworn in

Randy Evans will be sworn in to office by vice-president Mike Pence today as the next United States Ambassador to Luxembourg “subject to acceptance by Grand Duke Henri,” the lawyer has said in a letter resigning his post as co-chair of Georgia governor Nathan Deal’s Judicial Nominating Commission.

China regrets patent rights case

China’s Ministry of Commerce has said that the Chinese government has always attached great importance, and adopted strong measures, to the protection of intellectual property rights as it faces a case brought by the European Commission to the World Trade Organisation. Reuters reports that the ministry regrets the Commission’s complaints but has said it will handle the complaint in accordance with WTO procedures.

Assad to pay state visit to North Korea

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is to be the first head of state to pay an official visit to North Korea under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, The Guardian reports.  Calling Kim Jong-un a man of outstanding political calibre and wise leadership, Assad said: “I am sure that he will achieve the final victory and realise the reunification of Korea without fail.”

Pasqualon wins tour with Leyder third

21-year old Luxembourg rider Pit Leyder placed third in the Tour de Luxembourg, just 29 seconds behind winner Andrea Pasqualon from Italy. Leyder, who rides for Leopard Pro Cycling, won the youth category’s white jersey. French rider Anthony Perez won the last stage, which finished in Luxembourg City on Sunday.

Today's breakfast briefing was compiled by Duncan Roberts