Goran Dragić Tops List of Most Influential Slovenes

By , 25 Apr 2018, 10:59 AM Made in Slovenia
Goran Dragić Goran Dragić Wikimedia

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STA, 25 April 2018 – Basketball player Goran Dragić tops the list of the 100 most influential Slovenians in 2017 as compiled by media professionals, and is followed by another five figures from the world of sports. US First Lady Melania Trump placed seventh and President Borut Pahor, as the highest rated politician, eighth.

The list features mostly politicians, businessmen, scientists, artists and journalists, but is distinguished from similar lists in that the first six places are taken by athletes or sports officials.

Basketball player Luka Dončić placed second, followed by skier Ilka Štuhec, UEFA boss Aleksander Čeferin, former national basketball team coach Igor Kokoškov and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

While Pahor is the highest rated politician, his challenger at last year's presidential election Marjan Šarec placed 19th. Opposition SDS leader Janez Janša took 28th place and outgoing PM Miro Cerar 35th.

Marjan Batagelj, the director of the company which operates the tourist attraction Postojna Cave, emerged as the most influential business person in 10th place.

Several media owners, directors and journalists have made it to the list: Pro Plus director general Pavle Vrabec and CEO of the company which owns publisher Delo Stojan Petič as well as radio host Miha Šalehar and TV news anchor Slavko Bobovnik.

The list also features scientists, such as astrophysicist Andreja Gomboc and biochemist Roman Jerala from the National Institute of Chemistry.

Pop singer Magnifico (12th) is the most influential artist, while actress Katarina Čas and writer Boris Pahor are also among the influential Slovenians.

Trade unionists Lidija Jerkič and Branimir Štrukelj, Court of Audit boss Tomaž Vesel, Cardinal Franc Rode and Ljubljana Archbishop Stanislav Zore are also on the list.

The list was compiled by 14 editors, journalists and directors of several Slovenian media outlets and published in a special edition of the Obrazi (Faces) magazine on Wednesday.

An influential person was defined as a professional or volunteer who generated major activity or change in the field in which they were active last year.

"Such a person has made an indelible mark and is highly regarded in this field," said media house Večer, which publishes Obrazi.

Each of the media professionals first nominated their favourites, with a total of 784 nominations being made for 394 different persons.

Making it the second round were those who had received at least two nominations, while a secret vote determined the 100 winners.

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