Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Počivalšek reported to EU Commission over Mercator intervention
LJUBLJANA - Mercator's bankrupt Croatian owner Agrokor and the newly established Fortenova group, which has taken over Agrokor's assets, have reported the Slovenian Economy Ministry led by Zdravko Počivalšek to the European Commission over his interference in the transfer of Slovenian retailer Mercator to Fortenova, leveraging the state-owned SID development bank, a Mercator creditor, to do so, the newspaper Dnevnik reported. Počivalšek said the government had been merely striving to protect Slovenian suppliers under existing competition rules and stressed he had always been open about his actions.
Govt adopts anti-terrorism strategy
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a national strategy on the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism which lays the groundwork for a systemic approach to reducing Slovenia's vulnerability to terrorism and violent extremism. The strategy aims to prevent radicalisation, and protect residents against acts of terrorism and violent extremism, the Government Communication Office said after the government session. It also aims to improve preparedness to take measures in the wake of an act of terror and to prosecute terrorists.
Cerar advocate for multilateralism at OSCE ministerial
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar reiterated his call for effective multilateralism at the 26th OSCE ministerial, stressing the importance of OSCE for improving democratic processes. Commenting on the Ukraine conflict, Cerar expressed hope that Monday's meeting of the Normandy Four countries in Paris will be constructive and that progress will be made towards the implementation of the Minsk agreement. He underlined the importance of OSCE's presence and work in Ukraine.
Slovenia to invest EUR 5.6bn in transport in next six years
LJUBLJANA - The government plans to invest EUR 5.6 billion in transport and transport infrastructure in 2020-2025. Under the plan, the funds will be spent on air and maritime transport, investments in and reconstruction of state roads and toll roads, modernisation of railways, sustainable measures and traffic control. EUR 653 million will be earmarked next year, EUR 718 million in 2021 and EUR 1.1 billion in the following year. Between EUR 431.9 million and EUR 453 million will be available annually for regular maintenance of roads and railways, and public transportation subsidies.
EU Court of Human Rights rejects United Right's appeal
STRASBOURG, France - The European Court of Human Rights rejected an appeal by the United Right concerning the rejection of lists submitted by the coalition of two non-parliamentary parties for the 2018 general election because of the lists' lack of female candidates. It unanimously declared the application inadmissible. The case was brought after the United Right was barred from fielding candidates in two districts for failure to meet the statutory 35% gender quota.
Disclosure ordered of documents related to treatment of migrants
LJUBLJANA - The Administrative Court has decided that several documents pertaining to treatment of migrants and asylum seekers on the state border are public information, ordering the Interior Ministry, or the police, to reveal them, the newspaper Dnevnik reported. The police was asked by Information Commissioner Mojca Prelesnik last December to reveal these documents under the freedom of information act. The information commissioner argued the public should know whether the police were acting in line with the law.
SDS wants to expand army deployment on border
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Democrats (SDS) requested that the government widen deployment of the army on the border under provisions of the defence act that may be triggered in the event of mass migrations. The SDS says the latest figures on illegal crossings of the border show that the government should take measures to "provide for the security of the residents of Slovenia". The motion will be debated at a joint session of the parliamentary defence and home policy committees on 12 December.
Bankruptcy proceedings initiated for Istrabenz
LJUBLJANA - The District Court of Koper initiated bankruptcy proceedings for Istrabenz, a once mighty financial holding, as the request of the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC), its biggest creditor. The move is designed to give BAMC control of Istrabenz's remaining assets, in particular a 50% stake in Adriafin, which owns the majority of the winery Vinakoper, and shares in KB1909, a financial firm from Trieste that indirectly owns the weekly Mladina.
Gorenje management left without Christmas bonus
VELENJE - Managerial staff at Gorenje, owned by the Chinese conglomerate Hisense, will not receive a Christmas bonus this year, given that the Velenje-based household appliances maker is in the red. The rest of the staff will receive EUR 600 gross, which is level with last year's Christmas bonus. Gorenje will finish 2019 in the red but hopes to return to profit next year.
Competition watchdog clears Abanka acquisition
LJUBLJANA - NKBM bank received clearance from the Competition Protection Agency to acquire rival Abanka. The EUR 444 million transaction will be completed once the banking regulator has okayed the deal as well. Until the formal closure of the transaction the banks will conduct business as separate entities, NKBM said.
Small business chamber celebrates golden jubilee
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor presented the Chamber of Craft and Small Business (OZS) with the Order of Merit at a ceremony marking the chamber's 50th anniversary. Small business is the backbone and driving force of Slovenia, OZS head Branko Meh said, thanking Pahor for recognising the chamber's role. "Small business accounts for 99.3% of Slovenia's entire economy; 116,000 companies employing 366,000 people," he said.
Pharma company Lek named top employer
LJUBLJANA - Pharmaceutical company Lek was named the top Slovenian employer in 2019, the first time in nine years that it has beaten rival drug maker Krka. The award is the result of a poll involving 19,000 users of the jobs portal mojedelo.com that measured various aspects of the reputation of companies as employers or potential employers.
Joint project of Danfoss Trata, Petrol best business practice
LJUBLJANA - A joint district energy project of heating valves maker Danfoss Trata and energy company Petrol won this year's AmCham competition for best business practice, termed Best of the Best. The project revolves around an international summer school on district energy.
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
