National Assembly confirms new government cabinet
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob's cabinet was sworn in after the line-up was confirmed in a 53:28 vote in the National Assembly. Golob acknowledged that it would not get the customary 100-day grace period and would have to get down to work right away, which is why his team features a combination of seasoned politicians and experts. Formally taking over from Janša just hours after he got his new cabinet, Golob said the times were turbulent but was confident the new government will be successful.
Government names new intelligence, police and communication chiefs
LJUBLJANA - The new government replaced the chiefs of the intelligence and security agency SOVA, the police, and the Government Communications Office at its maiden session. Boštjan Lindav, the new police commissioner, is a former head of the criminal police. SOVA will be headed in an acting capacity by Joško Kadivnik, a career intelligence officer. The Government Communications Office will be headed by Dragan Barbutovski, most recently the country director of the British Council.
Financial Administration boss steps down
LJUBLJANA - Ivan Simič, the director general of the Tax Administration, stepped down, announcing his decision just minutes after the new government was sworn in. Simič, a staunch supporter of the Janez Janša government, was named to the post in acting capacity in May 2021 before getting a full five-year term in November the same year. Soon after Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won the election, he announced that he would step down.
Matoz steps down as BAMC chairman
LJUBLJANA - Franci Matoz stepped down as chairman of the board of directors of the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC), Slovenia's bad bank said in a press release. Matoz, best known as a long-time legal representative of outgoing Prime Minister Janez Janša and his Democratic Party (SDS), is leaving BAMC after less than a year. He was named chairman of BAMC's board of directors in July 2021, just a day after the Janša government appointed him a non-executive director to replace a director who had stepped down earlier.
US congratulates new government
LJUBLJANA - The United States congratulated Prime Minister Robert Golob and the new Slovenian government on their confirmation by parliament. According to the US Embassy, the US is looking forward "to continuing to advance global security and prosperity through our combined efforts in NATO and international organizations." It highlighted Slovenia's commitment to the rules-based international order and shared democratic values and priorities.
Report: NLB reaches first settlement over Yugoslav-era loans in Croatia
LJUBLJANA - NLB, Slovenia's largest bank, has reached a settlement with the Croatian tourism company Plava Laguna over the company's debt to the former Slovenian LB bank dating back to the break-up of Yugoslavia, in what is the first settlement of its kind for NLB, Dnevnik reported. NLB, which is practically banned from the Croatian market over the unresolved issues of its predecessor LB, confirmed the settlement.
Australia's new environment minster of Slovenian descent
CANBERRA, Australia - Australia's new government was sworn in Canberra with a record number of women in ministerial roles, including Tanya Plibersek as minister for the environment and water. Plibersek, 52, was born in Sydney to Slovenian immigrant parents. Before becoming member of the Anthony Albanese government, Plibersek, 52, served as the he shadow minister for education. She held several ministerial posts in the Julia Gillard government in 2010-13.
Defence expert says continued Ukraine war failure of diplomacy
LJUBLJANA - Defence expert Vladimir Prebilič told the STA that the continuation of the war in Ukraine constituted a failure of diplomacy, while noting that the pressure from Kyiv on the EU and NATO to provide aid was not productive. He believes that the aid received by Ukraine in the current form is unsustainable in the long run. "As long as both sides are convinced they can achieve their goals, diplomacy will not play an important role and finding a way out of the crisis will be virtually impossible," he said.
Former leader of Slovenian Protestants dies
LJUBLJANA - Former head of the Slovenian Evangelical Lutheran Church Geza Erniša has died aged 70 after being hospitalised due to illness, online portal Vestnik reported. He was the first bishop of the church in Slovenia, having held the post for 18 years until 2013. Until his illness, he served as priest in Moravske Toplice. The news of his death was confirmed by the current head of the Slovenian Evangelical Lutheran Church Leon Novak.The news of his death was confirmed by the current head of the Slovenian Evangelical Lutheran Church Leon Novak.
Govt approves EUR 3.55m to four business projects
LJUBLJANA - At its last session, the outgoing government approved regional state aid in the total amount of 3.55 million for four projects by three companies based in disadvantaged areas. The companies benefiting from aid are the polymer product maker Polycom, Roto Pavlinjek, a European leader in rotational moulding technology, and metal processing company Merc, CNC Proizvodnja. Their projects are located in Črnomelj, Poljane near Škofja Loka, Puconci and Ravne na Koroškem.
HSE adds another retail company to portfolio0
LJUBLJANA - The state-owned HSE, the largest electricity producer in the country, has added another electricity retail company to its portfolio by completing the acquisition of a 51% stake in Energija Plus. The current owner, Elektro Maribor, will retain a 49% stake. HSE entered the retail market last year when it bought ECE. In 2020, the latest year for which official data are available, ECE and Energija Plus held a combined 28% stake of the electricity retail market.
Goodyear Slovenija bounces back to profit
KRANJ - Tyre maker Goodyear Slovenija posted a net profit of EUR 9.72 million last year, coming back from a loss of EUR 80,000 in 2020. Net sales were up by 27% to EUR 247.94 million, it follows from the annual results published by the company. The output increased from 5.99 million tyres in 2020 to 7.38 million in 2021, which the company said was in response to demand driven by increased economic activity in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pro Plus head appointed to helm of Croatian arm of RTL
LJUBLJANA - Branko Čakarmiš, the director general of the media house Pro Plus, will also serve as the president of the management board of the Croatian arm of the RTL Group. The move comes after the Croatian regulator approved the takeover of RTL Hrvatska by CME Media Enterprises, the owner of Pro Plus. CME wants close cooperation between RTL Hrvatska and Pro Plus and expects significant synergies.
Trial starts in NKMB property transactions case
MARIBOR - Two and a half years after the first pre-trial hearing in a case in which former NKBM bank CEO Matjaž Kovačič and his aides are being tried for property transactions in Croatia in 2006-2007, the main hearing was held at the Maribor court today. All four former senior bank officials denied the charges. Kovačič said they were mainly victims of political ambitions and a public lynch at a time when the public opinion is strongly against tycoons and bankers.
Hospitals keep some coronavirus measures
LJUBLJANA - Most of Slovenia's hospitals have kept some protective measures after the government lifted all the remaining restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus this week. Most of the hospitals still require face masks, while some hospitals are still quite strict about visits. At UKC Ljubljana, the country's No. 1 hospital, masks, hand sanitation and physical distance are still recommended for patients, especially those with chronic conditions. Masks are also mandatory for health professionals when they are in contact with patients, and for those in waiting rooms or other common areas or surgeries.
Olimpija win 19th national basketball championship title
DOMŽALE - Cedevita Olimpija won their 19th national basketball championship title by sweeping the final series against Helios Suns of Domžale on Tuesday. It is the second national championship for the Ljubljana club in a row and a third trophy this season, after the supercup and the national cup. in the last match Cedevita Olimpija defeated the hosts 101:81 to win the series with three wins to none. The most valuable player of the final series was Olimpija's Alen Omić with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Plečnik's interior design on show at Ethnographic Museum
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Ethnographic Museum launched a new permanent exhibition showcasing the interior of an arts-and-crafts shop that famed architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957). Plečnik made the interior design for Lectarija, a shop in Ljubljana's Congress Square, in 1938. It opened a year later. The shop's stylish furniture, decor, and lighting paid homage to artisan products including honeybread (called lect in Slovenian) and wax candles.
Brda winery launches remote vineyard pest monitoring project
DOBROVO - Klet Brda, a winery based in the north-western region of Brda, has introduced a remote vineyard pest monitoring pilot project intended to curb vineyard damage with smart trapping devices. Partnering up with EFOS, developer of the Trapview pest management tool, and the telco Telekom Slovenije, keen on entering the smart-solutions market in agriculture, Klet Brda is now offering a pest control solution to winegrowers in the region.
