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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
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This summary is provided by the STA:
SDS+SLS lead latest polls ahead of LMŠ, SD
LJUBLJANA - The latest public opinion polls ahead of Sunday's EU elections see the joint list of the Democrats and People's Party (SDS+SLS) as the front runner, followed by the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) and Social Democrats (SD). New Slovenia (NSi), the Left and the Pensioners Party (DeSUS) also appear to be serious contenders. Pollster Valicon, the only one that had seat projections, gave SDS+SLS 2-3 seats, with LMŠ and the SD both within reach of 1-2 seats. The remaining seats are likely to be divided among the NSi, the Left and the DeSUS.
Final TVS debate before election dominated by Ibiza scandal
LJUBLJANA - The Ibiza corruption scandal in Austria, the proposed setting up of mixed Slovenian-Italian border patrols and populism were the main topics of the last EU election debate aired by the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija on Thursday evening. The candidates mostly condemned corruption and populism, and said they had never been personally involved in corruption. Only the candidates of the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) and Modern Centre Party (SMC) backed the idea by Foreign Minister Miro Cerar for joint police patrols on the border with Italy.
Early voting turnout 70% higher than in 2014 EU election
LJUBLJANA - Early voting in the elections to the European Parliament, which was available in Slovenia between Tuesday and Thursday, saw a nearly 70% higher turnout than five years ago, the National Electoral Commission announced, interpreting this as a good sign for the main vote on Sunday. Nearly 31,360 voters or 1.84% of the electorate turned out, while five years ago, the turnout was 18,483 or 1.09%. While the early voting took place at 59 locations, Slovenians will be able to cast their votes at 3,005 locations between 7am and 9pm on Sunday.
NLB bank's Q1 net profit flat at EUR 58 million
LJUBLJANA - NLB, Slovenia's largest bank, reported a net profit of almost EUR 58m for the first quarter of the year, up marginally from the same quarter in 2018. Total net operating income amounted to EUR 133.8 million, a 3% increase year-on-year, underpinned by higher net interest income, which rose 6%, and higher net fees and commissions, which were up 2%. The volume of gross non-performing loans dropped by EUR 43.1 million (7%) over the end of 2018.
Luka Koper reports stagnant Q1 profit
KOPER - Port operator Luka Koper reported a net profit of EUR 14.4 million for the first quarter of this year, up 1% over the year before. Sales revenue rose 8% in the same period to EUR 60.7 million, show unaudited results. EBITDA slipped 1% to EUR 24.4 million, as did pre-tax profit (EBIT), which totalled EUR 17.1 million. The figures reflect a significant decline in total tonnage the port handled, which contracted by 3% to six million tonnes. The company spent EUR 12 million on investments in fixed assets, a nearly six-fold increase over the same period last year.
Traffic safety boss sacked over road conduct
LJUBLJANA - Igor Velov, the head of the Traffic Safety Agency, was dismissed by the government after days of media reports about unusual conduct with the agency's car, which was found near the post office of Velov's home town parked and locked, with a punctured front tire and damage to the front and rear. Police looked into the matter and found nothing suspicious, but tabloids found two witnesses who saw him step out of the car said there was no doubt he had been drunk.
Tourist arrivals, nights up 3% in Q1
LJUBLJANA - More than 921,000 tourist arrivals and more than 2.5 tourist nights were recorded in Slovenia in the first quarter of the year. Both figures are by 3% higher than the ones from the same period in 2018, shows data released by the Statistics Office (SURS). The two figures for foreign tourists and nights they spent in Slovenia in the same period was up almost 1% and 2% year on year, respectively. Italy was the most important market for Slovenia in both the first quarter and March, with Italian tourists accounted for 16% of all tourist nights in March.
Business sentiment down y/y, slightly up compared to April
LJUBLJANA - Business sentiment in Slovenia in May deteriorated over May 2018 but was slightly higher than in April, according to data released by the Statistics Office. The index was at 7.8 percentage points (p.p.), one point higher than in April and 4.5 p.p. lower than a year ago. Year on year, the index was dragged down by a drop in sentiment in manufacturing, as well as the services sector. The retail sector had a positive effect on the index. The monthly increase was attributed to an improved business sentiment in manufacturing, in retail and among consumers.
A year on, GDPR pushes up requests for personal data abuse inspections
LJUBLJANA - Since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect across the EU a year ago, the Slovenian Information Commissioner Office has detected an increase in the number of requests for inspections into personal data use. Information Commissioner Mojca Prelesnik believes this show the public knows the GDPR quite well. In 2017, Prelesnik's office conducted 655 inspections, while by mid-May this year, the number has already exceeded 500. Moreover, her office received nearly 70 official reports about personal data violations between 25 May 2018, when the regulation took effect, and the end of the year.
Koper club wins first national title
KOPER - Sixt Primorska, a basketball club from Koper, emerged from the shadow of its bigger and more storied rivals by winning its first national championship title to become only the fifth team in Slovenia to win the championship. Defeating Petrol Olimpija 68:63 for a perfect 3:0 run in the final series, Sixt Primorska clinched its fourth title of the year, having already won the national cup, the super cup, and the second division of the Aba League.
Photos by Wilhelm Heiliger on display at Pilon Gallery
AJDOVŠČINA - An exhibition of works by Slovenian-born photographer Wilhelm Heiliger opened at the Pilon Gallery in Ajdovščina. Dubbed Meditation and Photography, the exhibition is a part of a joint project of six Slovenian galleries presenting Heiliger's art. Exhibitions presenting Heiliger will be set up in galleries in Nova Gorica, Lendava, Kranj, Sežana and Radovljica between May and December. The exhibition in Ajdovščina, open until 16 June, will showcase Heiliger's recent photographs taken in the Goriško and Kras regions.
