Ljubljana - Primorske Novice says in Friday's commentary that looks ahead into the new year that the "hope has perhaps eroded, but is not yet lost", noting that one of the brightest spots has certainly been the moral and ethical stance of many healthcare workers.

Looking back at 2021, the newspaper says that "if it was expected that we will show more maturity, unity, responsibility and commitment to common goals in the year when we marked the 30th anniversary of independence, we unfortunately expected too much."

It adds that people had apparently expected too much when they expected politics to show a more constructive attitude, when they expected more democratic culture after 30 years of independence.

"But not everything was so bleak. One of the brightest spots has certainly been the moral and ethical stance of many healthcare workers who have been saving lives selflessly and by giving their best," the newspaper says under the headline Hope is Not Lost.

It says that Slovenia needs more such people - ethical, responsible, honest - in other important positions in society. "If we had them, we probably wouldn't be where we are, so the election year will be an opportunity to improve this situation at least a little bit."

It is paramount to think how to move in the right direction and it is time to put an end to the "devastation of our physical and ethical fabric", Primorske Novice says, concluding that the "hope has perhaps eroded, but is not yet lost."