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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Lenarčič meets Von der Leyen, no comments on portfolio yet
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Janez Lenarčič, Slovenia's candidate for the new European Commission, had an official meeting with the Commission's President-elect Ursula von der Leyen, the permanent representation of Slovenia to the EU announced. Lenarčič was informed by Von der Leyen that he had been put on the list of official candidates. "I'm happy that the newly-elected president of the Commission confirmed my candidacy for her list of the future college of commissioners," said Slovenia's current ambassador to the EU.
Debate condemns pressures on judiciary, pending Constitutional Court rulings
LJUBLJANA - Representatives of all three branches of power discussing the state of the rule of law in Slovenia agreed that the separation of powers was very important for the implementation of the rule of law. Judges were critical of interferences with the judiciary and non-implementation of Constitutional Court rulings, with Supreme Court president Damijan Florjančič, saying that it was crucial that all those who are "talking about the rule of law on a daily basis know what we are talking about". Justice Minister Andreja Katič said it was the state who must create the conditions for an efficient and fair judicial system.
NLB reports 10% lower half-year profit
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest banking group, NLB saw its half-year-net profit fall by 10% year-on-year to EUR 94.3 million despite higher interest and non-interest income. Profit before impairments and provisions was up 13% to EUR 116 million, according to the bank's interim report. Net interest income rose by 5% to EUR 159 million, and net non-interest revenue increased by 8% to EUR 98.3 million. The parent bank generated EUR 122.6 million in profit, which compares to EUR 103.3 million a year ago.
Deal reached to avert pilot strike at Adria Airways
LJUBLJANA - The German-owned Slovenian carrier Adria Airways reached a deal with pilots that averts a series of strikes that were due to begin on Sunday. "Adria Airways will carry out scheduled and charter flights according to the planned flight schedule," the company said. Marko Kastelic, a representative of the pilots' trade union, said the sides agreed a draft of a new collective bargaining agreement, which now needs to be endorsed by the union members. Adria had to cancel a flight from Ljubljana to Vienna and back on Thursday as an enforcement agent sought to seize its plane over a EUR 250 debt.
Minister under pressure over alleged attempt to sack energy CEO
LJUBLJANA - Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek has come under pressure following a media allegation that she personally interfered in a procedure to appoint the CEO of SODO, the state-owned electricity distribution system operator. Denying the charge, the minister vowed to fight tooth and nail against energy lobbies. The minister also defended the government's decision on 14 August to change the SODO articles of association to the effect that the supervisory board needs the government's consent to appoint or dismiss the CEO.
IT problems jeopardising cohesion funds apparently fixed
LJUBLJANA - Major flaws in the Slovenian IT system used for disbursing EU cohesion funds that threatened to lead to a suspension of payments from the EU budget have been fixed, according to the Budget Supervision Office. "The auditing body has found that significant improvements have been achieved in this area and believes that conditions for a temporary suspension of payments to Slovenia ... no longer exist," the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy said.
Steel group SIJ reports higher profit on lower sales
LJUBLJANA - SIJ, the Ljubljana-based steel group in majority Russian ownership, reported EUR 81.2 million in net profit for the first half of the year, a 4.3-fold increase over the same period a year ago. The sales revenue decreased by 2.1% to EUR 417.2 million. Almost 85% of the sales were generated in foreign markets. The higher bottom line reflects the sale of the food division, the poultry group Perutnina Ptuj, the Ukranian group MHP. The proceeds were used to reduce SIJ's financial debt.
Slovenia dominate 13th stage of the Vuelta
BILBAO, Spain - Slovenia proved a cycling tour superpower as Tadej Pogačar won the 13th stage of the Vuelta ahead of Primož Roglič, who increased the overall lead. In the all-Slovenian finish on the hellishly steep final climb, Pogačar, the 20-year-old UAE Emirates rider, won his second stage victory to advance to the 2nd spot overall and put on the best young rider's white jersey. Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) increased his overall lead ahead of Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) to two minutes and 25 seconds.
Slovenian Philharmonic's new season gets under way
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra will open its 2019-2020 season in the Cankarjev Dom today with a concert conducted by Charles Dutoit, a Swiss internationally-acclaimed conductor. Honouring the 120th anniversary of Škerjanc's birth, the new season will feature works of the Slovenian late-Romantic era composer. The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra will provide 24 programmes of symphonic, choir and vocal-instrumental music in the new season.
Kogoj Days particularly festive this year
KANAL - Kogoj Days, an international festival of Slovenian contemporary classical music, will start today, marking its 40th anniversary with 12 concerts and eight brand-new pieces of music. The festival will pay tribute to four late greats of the Slovenian art scene. The conductor Anton Nanut (1932-2017) and composer Marijan Gabrijelčič (1940-1998), the festival's founders, will be honoured alongside poet Ciril Zlobec (1925-2018) and composer Štefan Mauri (1931-2014).
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