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This summary is provided by the STA:
Govt adopts Demographic Fund bill after Janša presents it to ESS
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša presented a draft bill on the National Demographic Fund, a new state fund designed to pool all state assets to the tume of around EUR 8.6 billion to shore up the pension system, to the Economic Social Council (ESS) before the government adopted it later in the day. Janša said part of the funds would go for pensions, part for long-term care and part for construction of care homes and for family policy measures. Some social partners welcomed Janša presenting the bill in person, with others wondering whether the right balance would be found between the investment and dividend policies of the companies under the new fund's umbrella.
Pivec resigns as agriculture minister, also leaves DeSUS
LJUBLJANA - Aleksandra Pivec stepped down as agriculture, forestry and food minister just a few hours before the National Assembly was to vote on her dismissal and after presenting her take on the fallout with DeSUS over her ethics breaches in parliament. She also left the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) after she stepped down as its leader last month. She said she had been the target of an unprecedented smear campaign, the goal of which was to cover corruption. She intends to continue her political career after taking a break to think things over, but will not stand again for party leader in November's congress. DeSUS deputy group leader Franc Jurša said Pivec's resignation had been expected yet come too late.
Parliamentary debate starts on 2021, 2022 budgets
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly formally started debating the budgets for 2021 and 2022, as they were outlined to the MPs by PM Janez Janša and Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj. Slovenia's budget will remain in deficit in the next two years as the financing of measures to battle the effects of the coronavirus pandemic continues, but Janša said that the two budgets brought more money than it had been planned before the epidemic, chiefly due to EU recovery funds. He believes the budgets are optimistic and development-, welfare-, sustainability- and future-oriented. In the following weeks, they will be debated by parliamentary working bodies.
Major regulators object to government merger plans
LJUBLJANA - Major regulators voiced opposition to government plans to merge eight independent agencies into two super-agencies, arguing they were made without any analyses and would curb their independence. The Competition Protection Agency, the Agency for Communication Networks and Services and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said this would run afoul of international rules and Slovenia's commitments under EU law. Most object to how the management would be appointed by the government. The agencies have been neither briefed nor consulted about the plan, but Prime Minister Janez Janša said the proposal was modelled on the Dutch system.
75 new cases, one fatality as Covid-19 hospitalisations rise
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded one Covid-19 fatality and 75 new coronavirus cases on Sunday from 1,034 tests as hospitalisations and intensive care cases climbed further. The latest figures bring Slovenia's overall tally of cases to 6,573 and the death toll to 156. Over 2,100 are active cases. The number of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 rose by six to 107, with 21 requiring intensive treatment, so hospital capacities are becoming stretched. Bojana Beović, the government's coronavirus task force head, said 100 extra hospital beds could be required for Covid-19 patients by the end of the week.
Impact assessment needed for life extension of N-plant
KRŠKO - As Slovenia would like to extend the life of its only nuclear power station, launched in 1983, by 20 years, the Environment Agency (ARSO) decided on 2 October that impact assessment and an environmental permit are needed for the reactor to continue functioning beyond 2023. The decision comes after a group of NGOs was successful in challenging the agency's 2017 decision in January, when the Administrative Court ordered ARSO to decide on the matter once again. Three years ago, ARSO said no impact assessment was needed. The latest decision is not yet final, as the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning has 15 days to challenge it.
Slovenia offers buyback of two bonds
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia plans to buy back two outstanding bonds with a combined value of EUR 2.6 billion that are due in 2021 as it seeks to reduce the interest it pays on its debt. In a notice valid until 12 October, the treasury is offering to buy back a ten-year bond due on 18 January worth EUR 1.6 billion with a nominal interest rate of 4.375%, and an EUR 1 billion seven-year bond with nominal interest at 3%. The entirety of both issues is subject to the cash offer.
Central banks ready to react if situation worsens
PORTOROŽ - Central banks do not expect the Covid-19-induced crisis to be as deep as initially feared, but if the situation were to deteriorate, they are ready to step in and react, Boštjan Vasle, the governor of Slovenia's central bank, told the 37th Financial Conference. "Our key message is that we are ready for such a scenario and can react if necessary," Vasle said, but warned that unconventional measures cannot last indefinitely.
5G available to Telekom Slovenije users
LJUBLJANA - Telecoms incumbent Telekom Slovenije made 5G technology available to its users, having set up the country's first commercial 5G network in late July. Built on existing infrastructure, the network does not yet cover the entire country, with the company expecting to provide coverage to 33% of the population by year's end. Working with Ericsson, Telekom plans to build its 5G network in the form of campus networks, a concept allowing multiple virtual networks divided by purpose operating on the same physical infrastructure.
September jobless total up 20% year-on-year
LJUBLJANA - The registered jobless total in Slovenia stood at 83,766 at the end of September, a 5% drop on August but a 20% increase compared to the registered unemployment figure in September 2019, show data from the Employment Service. The number of newly registered persons was 6,510, up 23.4% on August and 13.2% higher year-on-year. Of the 10,916 removed from the unemployment registry, 8,125 found jobs, a 66.9% increase on August and 49.9% more year-on-year.
Czech MEP apologises for insulting tweet, Bogovič not happy
LJUBLJANA - Czech MEP Alexandr Vondra apologised to his Slovenian counterparts for a tweet in which he labelled Slovenians "opportunistic pigs" after being urged to do so by all of Slovenia's eight MEPs. Franc Bogovič (EPP/SLS) accepted the apology but warned that Vondra had not erased the tweet. Vondra posted the controversial tweet after last week's defeat of Slavia Prague in a football match featuring Slovenian referee Damir Skomina.
Pandemic depresses Ljubljana tourism
LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana, which has become Slovenia's top tourist destination in the past decade, has suffered a significant blow this year, as the coronavirus pandemic suspended air travel. This summer, the capital saw 160,341 overnight stays, 75% less than a year ago. According to the director of Turizem Ljubljana, Petra Stušek, accommodation facilities in the capital in the first eight months of the year reached 425,178, which compares to 335,132 in August last year alone.
Carthago subsidiary reaches major milestone
ODRANCI - The Slovenian subsidiary of the German motorhome maker Carthago has recently put out its 30,000th vehicle, which the company says makes the Odranci (NE) location a pillar of the group's growth. "The successes made by our brands could not be imagined without our plant in Slovenia," owner Karl-Heinz Schuler said. The Odranci plant employs some 850 people. The subsidiary generated EUR 206 million in sales and over EUR 5 million in net profit between August 2018 and August 2019.
Radeče paper mill making antibacterial paper
RADEČE - The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted the development of an innovative solution at the Radeče paper mill. The company has started producing antibacterial paper which apart from inhibiting the growth of bacteria also reduces the spread of viruses and is thus ideal for people with weak immune systems. Since April, the Radeče Papir Nova group has produced some 30 tonnes of the paper, which can be used in sectors such as healthcare and labs as well as in restaurants, pubs and schools.
Slovenian sets new record in 24-hour cycling time trial
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian cyclist Stanko Verstovšek set a new record in the 24-hour time trial by covering a total of 914.02 kilometres in that span on a route in the north-eastern region of Prekmurje. He beat the previous record-holder, Christoph Strasser of Austria, by more than 15 kilometres. During the time trial on the triangle between Dobrovnik, Genterovci and Turnišče, the Slovenian also improved world records in 100, 200, 300 and 500 kilometres and miles to obtain nine records recognised by the World Ultra Cycling Association.
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