13 Mar 2020, 04:20 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 13 March 2020

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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:

Slovenia declares coronavirus epidemic

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia declared a coronavirus epidemic as the number of cases continued to surge with 96 persons confirmed to have fallen ill, almost double the number from the day before. A number of measures were taken to contain the spreading, from school closures to cancellations of virtually all public events, with additional measures announced. As infectious disease specialists issued an urgent appeal for public life to be brought to a standstill, the incoming Janez Janša government announced sweeping lockdown measures it plans to take immediately after assuming office late on Friday.

Govt forecaster slashes GDP growth projection to 1.5%

LJUBLJANA - IMAD, the government's macroeconomic forecaster, has halved its GDP growth forecast for the year to 1.5% from 3% due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The projection is made under the assumption that the situation will calm down in the second half of the year. "The forecast is very dependent on the speed with which the coronavirus will be contained and measures that governments take," IMAD said. The forecast for next year was cut to 2.2% from 2.7%.

Bill on subsidised wages for laid-off, quarantined workers adopted

LJUBLJANA - The government confirmed a bill providing subsidies to employers for wages paid out to employees on temporary lay-offs and in certain cases of self-quarantine resulting from the spreading of coronavirus in Slovenia. The state will aid employers who are not be able to provide work to at least 30% of their employees due to a decline in turnover. Employees will be eligible for 80% of pay. The state will subsidise 40% of this amount for workers on temporary lay-off, and the entire amount for quarantined workers. The bill will be fast-tracked at the National Assembly.

Počivalšek announces expansion of stimulus package

LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek announced an expansion of the stimulus package meant to mitigate the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis. The crisis was in the focus of his hearing in parliament in which Počivalšek was endorsed by 10 votes to two to continue as minister in the forthcoming Janez Janša government. "Failing to preserve jobs would mean terrible problems. We have learned something from the 2008 crisis," said Počivalšek.

Slovenian benchmark suffers biggest daily drop ever

LJUBLJANA - The SBI TOP index on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange lost almost 9% to 753.70 points on Wednesday, the largest daily drop since it was launched in 2006, as major issues lost in excess of 10% on coronavirus concerns. Trading was brisk as total volumes exceeded EUR 6 million.

Slovenian officers to patrol Greek-Turkey border at least until May

ATHENS, Greece - Four Slovenian police officers started serving on the Greek-Turkey border as part of a 100-member Frontex rapid border intervention team which is helping Greece cope with the new migration wave. They will stay on the land border in the north-east of Greece at least until 6 May. The Interior Ministry told the STA that the Slovenian officers are seasoned experts with years of experience with operations at home as well as abroad. They have been part of a number of Frontex deployments in the past.

Vizjak to tackle waste, red tape and stalled investments

LJUBLJANA - Environment minister nominee Andrej Vizjak told the relevant parliamentary committee that the main problems that needed tackling were the piling up of waste, red tape and stalled investments in water infrastructure. Vizjak, who was endorsed by the relevant committee in a 12:6 vote after the hearing, also called for a balance between environmental protection and social and economic development. Vizjak had previously served as minister in two Janez Janša governments.

As infrastructure minister Vrtovec to bet on Green Deal

LJUBLJANA - Jernej Vrtovec set out a focus on the European Green Deal, carbon-free society and modernisation of rail infrastructure as his priorities as minister of infrastructure in his hearing in parliament. "The motto of my efforts will be Infrastructure on a Human Scale," the nominee, who comes from New Slovenia (NSi), told the Infrastructure Committee, adding that his plan was to make infrastructure user-friendly and accessible to people in urban and rural areas. He was endorsed by 11 votes in favour and seven against.

Ministerial nominee for rethink on life tenure of judges

LJUBLJANA - Justice minister nominee Lilijana Kozlovič advocates a rethink on abolishing the life tenure of judges. Her priorities as minister will be amending legislation on personal data protection and prevention of corruption, she told the parliamentary Justice Committee, which endorsed her by eight votes to four. Kozlovič, a Modern Centre Party (SMC) member currently heading the Environment Agency, also underscored the need for digitalisation of the judiciary.

Kustec pledges to boost trust in education system as minister

LJUBLJANA - Simona Kustec pledged to seek to enhance the reputation of, respect for and trust in the systems of education, science and sports as her priority as minister in her hearing on the relevant parliamentary committee, which endorsed her by 10 votes to six. Kustec, a Faculty of Social Sciences professor who served as MP for the Modern Centre Party (SMC) in the previous term, said she believed the system she would be in charge of was on "sound footing".

Bad bank inquiry releases interim report

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary inquiry looking into the transfer of loans from banks to the Bank Assets Management Company in the wake of the 2013 bank bailout submitted its interim report to the National Assembly. The report finds that asset transfer procedures had been partly opaque, involving several flaws, violations and suspected criminal offences, including direct and indirect pressure on key decision-makers. Some of those actions had financial and material consequences.

Patria defendant awarded damages for time spent in prison

LJUBLJANA - Broadcaster Nova24TV reported that retired brigadier general Tone Krkovič, one of the suspects in the Patria corruption trial who spent almost ten months in prison before the guilty verdict was overturned, had been awarded just over EUR 60,000 by a court for time spent in prison and the effect it had on his health. He and two other Patria defendants, incoming prime minister Janez Janša and businessman Ivan Crnkovič, were released from prison in April 2015 after the Constitutional Court overturned the guilty verdict.

Govt endorses bid for UNESCO listing of Lipizzan horses

LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed the bid for placing the Lipizzan horses on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Culture Ministry said the Slovenian-led multinational bid includes Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Slovakia in line with a 2003 convention. The nomination is to be filed by 31 March 2020, so that the listing could take place in the 2020-2021 evaluation period.

Major sporting events and competitions in Slovenia cancelled

LJUBLJANA - Major sporting events were cancelled in Slovenia as a measure to contain the spreading of the new coronavirus. The Alpine Ski World Cup event, scheduled to take place in Kranjska Gora at the weekend, was cancelled, and the Ski Flying World Championships at Planica, scheduled for 19-22 March, postponed. The Football Association has suspended all games.

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12 Mar 2020, 04:29 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 12 March 2020

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenia steps up containment efforts as coronavirus cases surge

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia stepped up containment activities as the number of coronavirus cases rose by 23 to 57. Spot checks were introduced at six points along the border with Italy, and all other road links with Italy have been closed and passenger train service suspended. Cargo transport will not be affected for now. A primary school in Kamnik was meanwhile shut down for two weeks after a teacher tested positive, and hospitals expanded precautionary measures as infections among health staff rose. There have been no fatalities so far, but that may soon change. One of the first individuals to test positive was transferred to intensive care today.

Slovenia may get new government on Friday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia may get a new government Friday evening. The agenda for a college of deputy leaders called for Friday includes an extraordinary session of the National Assembly to appoint the cabinet. The session is to be called for 6:30pm the same day. Thus the government is to be appointed almost immediately after the last of the ministerial candidates are quizzed by relevant bodies on Friday.

Incoming finance minister indicates fiscal policy may be loosened

LJUBLJANA Andrej Šircelj, candidate for finance minister in the incoming Janez Janša government, indicated at his committee hearing that the new government would pursue a more expansionary fiscal policy if needed to counter the adverse effects of the coronavirus, even though sustainable public finances would be a top priority. Šircelj, who was confirmed in a 11:8 vote by the Finance Committee, said the overarching goal of the new treasury would be to ensure the stability and sustainability of public finances, which are in a "favourable position" with surpluses planned for this year and next and debt projected to decrease.

Interior minister candidate says border protection a priority

LJUBLJANA - Interior minister candidate Aleš Hojs told the relevant parliamentary committee that effective protection of borders, not only because of migrants but also the coronavirus, and reduction of administrative burdens on police would be his first priority in the emerging government of Janez Janša. The member of the Democrats (SDS) told the Home Affairs Committee, which confirmed him with a 11:8 vote, that additional fencing should be erected on the border with Croatia and that stronger fences should be erected along all sections where the largest new wave of migrants was expected. He believes that in order to effectively protect the southern border, the police needs to be given additional powers, which would require changing two to three relevant laws.

Prospective minister says public administration wage system not stimulative

LJUBLJANA - The prospective new public administration minister Boštjan Koritnik, who was endorsed in a parliamentary committee hearing on Wednesday, announced he would continue with efforts to address pay anomalies in the public sector. Koritnik wants a more flexible and stimulative pay system and better services. The 40-year-old assistant professor at the Ljubljana Faculty of Law, who was backed in an 11:7 vote, said that trade unions should be included in the efforts, since "we have not come here to destroy the system in the sector but to upgrade it".

Agriculture Ministry to stay the course under Pivec

LJUBLJANA - Aleksandra Pivec will stay on as agriculture minister in the new government and in her hearing at the Agriculture, Forestry and Food Committee on Wednesday she outlined what amounts to a continuation of her current course. The focus will be on strengthening agriculture, preserving the countryside and following the latest trends in the field. Pivec, who was endorsed in a 11:5 vote, said the countryside must be "settled, preserved and farmed", while special attention must be dedicated to the increasing age of farmers.

SDS sues Šarec over Hungary financing comments

LJUBLJANA - The Democratic Party (SDS) brought a defamation suit against outgoing Prime Minister Marjan Šarec over what it says are his untruthful and insulting allegations that the party was being financed from Hungary. Lawyer Franci Matoz filed the lawsuit on behalf of the party after the SDS threatened Šarec with a damages suit in mid-February unless he retracted certain of his comments.

Bill to crack down on militias struck down

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Home Affairs Committee struck down legislative amendments proposed by the outgoing government in order to outlaw the activity of self-styled village guards or militias patrolling the border with the intention to stop illegal migrants. On the second reading, the committee voted five to ten against amendments to the protection of public order act and six to ten against amendments to the state border control act.

Slovenia's exports up 10.6% in January, imports rise by 5.2%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia exported EUR 3 billion worth of goods in January while it imported EUR 2.8 billion. Exports were up 10.6% and imports 5.2% in year-on-year comparison, the Statistics Office said. The export/import ratio was 107.5%. A surplus in external trade was recorded year-on-year for January for the seventh consecutive time and it now reached the highest January level with EUR 207.4 million.

Cinkarna Celje reports lower 2019 profit

CELJE - Cinkarna Celje, the Celje-based chemical company, saw its net profit plunge by 29% last year to EUR 21.7 million as revenue rose by 5% to EUR 172.6 million. In a regulatory filing with the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, the management labelled the company's performance as successful and substantially above projections, despite the global economic uncertainty.

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11 Mar 2020, 04:20 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, 11 March 2020

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenia closing border with Italy as coronavirus cases rise to 34

LJUBLJANA - PM Marjan Šarec announced he had ordered the closure of the border with Italy. The measure, which Šarec said was modelled on Austria's, does not apply for freight transport. Šarec, who said that the number of coronavirus cases had risen by another three to reach 34 this afternoon, told the press "it's high time we take action" since people in Italy were disregarding quarantine orders and continued to leave the country. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry expanded its travel warning to the entire Italy and advised Slovenians in Italy to return home.

Several flights cancelled due to new virus

BRNIK, LJUBLJANA - Fraport Slovenija, the operator of the Ljubljana airport, is already facing cancellation of flights to and from the airport due to the spreading of the new coronavirus, and more cancellations are expected in the future. The national railway operator Slovenske Železnice meanwhile said that traffic was running on schedule, including by the train connecting Ljubljana and Italy's Trieste twice a day. Also, Slovenia's leading gaming company HIT announced it was closing its casinos in the western region of Goriška until 20 March.

Committee nods to foreign minister candidate Logar

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee backed the candidate for foreign minister Anže Logar after what was mostly a Croatia-focused confirmation hearing. While arguing new approaches would be needed, he asserted Slovenia would continue insisting Croatia honour the border arbitration decision after he had raised eyebrows with his statement it was time to switch to silent diplomacy. Slovenia's EU presidency was among the priorities listed by the 43-year-old Democrats (SDS) member, who highlighted the EU and NATO as key elements of Slovenia's foreign policy. Thus, the plan is also to strengthen relations with the US.

Tonin green-lighted for defence minister, conscription a priority

LJUBLJANA - New Slovenia (NSi) head Matej Tonin was backed for defence minister by the parliamentary committee after he defended plans to gradually reintroduce conscription. "Nobody opposing arms will be forced to carry them. However, without people there will also not be a Slovenian army," Tonin said. He also announced higher defence spending, saying "membership in NATO remains the best and cheapest insurance policy for Slovenia" and mentioned an idea to enlist older people who have received military training to help patrol the border. He highlighted stronger presence in the Balkans as a priority in international missions.

Cigler Kralj endorsed for social affairs minister

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Committee endorsed Janez Cigler Kralj for minister in charge of labour, family, social affairs and equal opportunities. In a five-hour presentation, he listed a friendlier welfare system, care for the elderly and a stronger family policy as priorities. Kralj said he would not interfere in legislation on abortion and gay rights. He rejected criticism he was talking too much about penalising welfare abuse, saying he was "extraordinarily socially sensitive" and that his job was to work for the poor.

Constitutional Court stays act on 2013 bank bail-in recourse for investors

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has stayed the implementation of an act providing easier access to recourse for roughly 100,000 investors who lost their investments during the banking sector bailout of 2013. The court announced this two months after the central bank challenged the legislation. Banka Slovenije said in January that "the most controversial parts of the law affect monetary financing and the financial independence of the central bank".

Court rejects Slovenian Roma case over water access

STRASBOURG, France - The European Court of Human Rights has found that Slovenia has taken adequate steps to provide Roma settlements with drinking water, as it rejected an application by two Roma families who alleged violations of basic human rights because of inadequate access to drinking water and sanitation. The court said that the Slovenian authorities had "taken positive steps" and acknowledged the applicants' disadvantaged situation by providing them with adequate access to safe drinking water. Amnesty International Slovenije, an NGO which helped the Roma with the petition, expressed regret about the decision and said an appeal would be lodged.

Artificial intelligence research centre kicking into action

LJUBLJANA - The International Research Centre On Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) will soon be formally established in Ljubljana under the auspices of UNESCO. Based at the Jožef Stefan Institute, it is expected to benefit the global artificial intelligence community and provide a boost to Slovenian science and business. The agreement between Slovenia and UNESCO on the creation of the IRCAI was signed in Ljubljana last week and the formal establishment of the centre as a legal person is expected to follow shortly.

Employers cautiously optimistic in second quarter outlook

Ljubljana - The employment outlook among Slovenian employers for the second quarter of the year is cautious but optimistic, shows the latest employment forecast by temping agency Manpower. The share of employers who have announced a growth in jobs is nine percentage points higher than the share of whose who expect a decline in employment. While 13% of the surveyed employers expect a growth in employment between April and June, 4% expect a decline, and the remaining 83% plan no changes in the job structure, the Manpower Group said.

Javelin thrower Martina Ratej suspended over doping suspicion

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian javelin thrower Martina Ratej has been suspended over doping suspicion based on a repeated analysis of a sample taken at the 2012 Olympics in London, the Athletic Federation of Slovenia and the Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) announced. The Slovenian women's record holder is facing a penalty from World Athletics for the use of a banned clostebol metabolite. "I was shocked to learn this, because I never took any banned stimulants. I had a surgery during that period, so I think that this could be the only way the mentioned substance entered my body," Ratej told the STA.

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10 Mar 2020, 04:22 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday, 10 March 2020

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Temperature screening at Ljubljana airport, extra measures planned on land border

LJUBLJANA - Coming out of a meeting of the National Security Council, Health Minister Aleš Šabeder announced the intriduction of temperature screenings at Ljubljana airport in the coming days, and plans for extra measures on the land border as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Slovenia grew by seven to 23 by 2pm. Indoor events will have to be limited to 100 participants and all sports events for 500-plus visitors, including the upcoming Alpine Ski World Cup events and the Ski Flying World Championships in Slovenia, will be carried out without spectators. Schools and kindergartens will remain open for the time being. A growing number of higher education institutions across Slovenia are meanwhile cancelling in-class lectures.

Govt announces EUR 1bn package to mitigate impact of coronavirus

LJUBLJANA - The government is preparing a stimulus package worth a billion euro to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on the economy. Short- and long-term measures such as tax deferrals, state guarantees and credit lines are planned, mostly from existing financial facilities, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said. The measures are designed to provide liquidity to businesses, preserve jobs, reduce losses and make sure companies' market position does not deteriorate, Počivalšek said after a session of the council for competitive and stable business environment, an advisory body.

Ljubljana Stock Exchange dives on coronavirus fears

LJUBLJANA - The benchmark index on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange suffered the sharpest decline since the early stages of the financial crisis, moving in lockstep with global markets spooked by the potential impact of the global spread of coronavirus on economies around the world. The SBI top lost 7.28% to 817.92 points, the third sharpest decline since its introduction in 2006 and the biggest daily loss since October 2008, as the sell-off affected all blue chips regardless of industry.

Pahor to meet new top EU officials on 18 March in Brussels

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian President Borut Pahor will visit Brussels on 18 March to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President David Sassoli and High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell, the president's office announced. The meetings are part of Pahor's regular annual visits to the top EU institutions, which this time will not include a meeting with the president of the European Council. Charles Michel will not be in Brussels on that date.

Ministry says govt cannot decide on helping migrant children in Greece

LJUBLJANA - After European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on EU member states to help unaccompanied migrant children on Greek islands, the Slovenian Interior Ministry said it had not received an official request and that the caretaker government could not decide on such an issue in the first place.

New containers set up at border to process migrants

ORMOŽ - Due to a spike in illegal migration across the Slovenian-Croatian border, the Ormož police station in the north-east of the country will get six new containers to process migrants. The Maribor Police Department has underscored that the new container units, to become operational on Tuesday, will not be used for migrants' accommodation but to organise work more efficiently and to ensure safety at work. The department noted that the number of cases of people illegally crossing the border into Slovenia rose by 73% last year with the cases in the region under its jurisdiction increasing nearly three-fold to 1,449.

Regulated fuel prices down by almost 5% as of Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - The global decline in petroleum prices brought by the new coronavirus will result in cheaper motor fuel in Slovenia. Regulated prices of regular petrol and diesel will drop as of Tuesday by almost 5% each to EUR 1.205 and EUR 1.146 per litre, respectively, the fuel retailer Petrol has announced. The prices of regular petrol and diesel sold at petrol stations outside the motorway and expressway network remain regulated by the state, while prices of fuel sold on motorway petrol sDrug maker Krka and insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav were the hardest hit, the former losing 9.2% to EUR 63 and the latter down 9.4% to EUR 29.
tations are fully liberalised.

SKB bank's net profit down 6% last year to EUR 54.1m

LJUBLJANA - SKB Banka, which has been part of the Hungarian banking group OTP since the end of 2019, last year posted a net profit of EUR 54.1 million, a 6% drop compared to the year before. Banking revenue was meanwhile up by 2% to EUR 124 million, the Ljubljana-based bank said. SKB Banka said that the main reason for the drop in net profit were additional impairments created after the bank was acquired by OTP to adjust its business policy and record a fair value of fixed assets.

Support for new coalition growing in Delo poll

LJUBLJANA - Janez Janša's Democrats (SDS) and members of his new coalition have improved their ratings in the latest poll commissioned by the newspaper Delo. The SDS polled at 19.6% in the latest monthly survey by Mediana, up 1.4 percentage points as the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) of the outgoing PM slipped back 2.8 points to 13.8%. The Left lost 0.9 points to 7% and the SocDems slid 1.2 points to 6.7%. New coalition members gained ground; New Slovenia (NSi) added 0.9 points to 5%, the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) gained 0.8 points to 3% and Modern Centre Party (SMC) stayed level at 2.5%. The proportion of the undecided rose by almost five points to 19.3%.

Four face charges for human trafficking

CELJE - The Celje criminal investigators announced they would file preliminary criminal charges against four suspects and a legal entity for forcing at least 24 foreign women, most of them from Ukraine, into prostitution. The police, which had been investigating the case for a year, said none of the suspects, aged between 42 and 74, had previous criminal records. They face charges on a total of 25 counts of crime, including human trafficking, which carries between three and 15 years in prison as well as a fine.

Exhibition featuring WWII monument art in former Yugoslavia

LJUBLJANA - An exhibition presenting a total of 33 monuments and memorial complexes built in the former Yugoslavia opened at the Dessa Gallery, presenting what the organisers say is a selection made based on high architectural and artistic value. Entitled Architecture. Sculpture. Remembrance. The Art of Monuments of Yugoslavia 1945-1991, the exhibition features monuments to the victims of the Second World War from all republics and autonomous provinces of Yugoslavia. The show will run until 16 April.

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09 Mar 2020, 04:10 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Monday, 9 March 2020

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This summary is provided by the STA:

No coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia, but protective measures necessary, officials say

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is far from having a coronavirus epidemic, Nina Pirnat, director of the National Public Health Institute, said, expressing hope that the protective measures will prevent it. Health Minister Aleš Šabeder noted that several violations of the ban on large indoor public events, which was issued yesterday, had been reported, urging citizens and institutions to act responsibility and respect the ban aimed at preventing further spreading of the virus. The number of the coronavirus infections in the country has meanwhile risen to 16.

Meteorite chunk found near Novo Mesto

LJUBLJANA/NOVO MESTO - After a meteor exploded over Slovenia at the end of last month, a search has been under way for the meteorite fragments. The first was found this week in the village of Prečna near Novo Mesto, with its authenticity confirmed on Saturday evening. This confirms existing calculations about the target location and narrows down the search area. Experts said this was a holiday for Slovenian natural science, especially astronomy and geology.

Two fmr ministers find ministerial candidates promising

LJUBLJANA - Two former ministers, Žiga Turk and Igor Lukšič, commented for the STA on the 16 nominees for ministers that Janez Janša, the incoming prime minister, formally put forward on Friday. They said he had gathered a group of experienced politicians, who know the country well and could "actually do something in these two years" if they manage to form their own good teams.

Fishermen in Piran Bay continue getting fined by Croatia

LJUBLJANA - The Croatian authorities have initiated a total of 913 proceedings against Slovenian fishermen for fishing in what Croatia claims is its part of the Piran Bay, while Slovenia has paid EUR 190,954 for legal assistance to the fishermen so far, shows a report discussed by the government at Friday's correspondence session.

Ombudsman urges end of gender inequality on Intl Women's Day

LJUBLJANA - Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina called for elimination of all types of gender discrimination and inequality in his message for International Women's Day, observed around the globe today. Equality is not just a women's issue, he said, but a fundamental social and economic issue vital to social and economic development.

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08 Mar 2020, 04:20 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Sunday, 8 March 2020

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Ban on large indoor public events put in force as number of confirmed coronavirus cases rises to 12

LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Aleš Šabeder issued a decree banning all public indoor events for 500-plus participants as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by four to 12. The ban entered into force at 7pm and is accompanied by a recommendation to organisers of smaller events to reconsider too. Schools will remain open for now. A session of the National Security Council has been called by Prime Minister Marjan Šarec for Monday. Additional measures have been announced for the Metlika area in the east of the country, where an infected doctor had contact with a large number of people, including at the elderly home. Meanwhile, Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina warned against fear caused by the coronavirus epidemic leading to stigmatisation and exclusion.

Perception of business opportunities improving in Slovenia

MARIBOR - Detection of business opportunities by individuals in Slovenia has been improving in recent years, shows the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey. More than half of Slovenians perceived business opportunities last year, which compares to 38% in 2016, the Maribor Faculty of Economics and Business has announced. Miroslav Rebernik, the head of the GEM survey team in Slovenia, said that the results showed that creating more profit was by no means the only driver of entrepreneurial activity of the new generations and a "conscious shift towards more sustainable entrepreneurship is getting stronger".

Slovenian ski jumpers with another podium finish in team event

HOLMKOLLEN, Norway - Slovenia's ski jumpers (954.2 points) grabbed third place at the Ski Jumping World Cup team event in Oslo, finishing behind the victories home team (997.4) and Germany (960.9). This is already the third consecutive podium finish for the Slovenian team, which finished second in Lahti and third in Zakopane.

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07 Mar 2020, 04:34 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Saturday, 7 March 2020

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Slovenians urged to postpone travel, as number of coronavirus cases rises

LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry advised Slovenians to postpone all non-essential trips abroad in the face of the spreading of the new coronavirus. The unprecedented call has been met with severe criticism from the Association of Travelling Agencies, which said it may spell bankruptcy of all Slovenian travelling agencies. Meanwhile, two new cases of infection have been confirmed in the country, raising the total number of cases to eight, three of them being health care workers. While the first seven patients had all traveller to or through Italy, the information is still scarce in the last patient, a doctor at the community health centre in Metlika. However, Health Minister Aleš Šabeder said that the health workers had not contracted the virus at work but while travelling abroad.

Janša suggests information on coronavirus insufficient

LJUBLJANA - PM-elect Janez Janša commented on the new coronavirus outbreak in Slovenia, saying the best way to avoid panic was to keep people well informed. He assessed the virus had been detected late in Slovenia. "The fewer people you test, the later you find out that something is wrong," he said. Outgoing Health minister Aleš Šabeder is planning to meet Slovenian protective gear suppliers to urge them to increase production. He could not say whether the Skiing World Cup races in Kranjska Gora next weekend or the Ski Jumping World Cup competition in Planica a week later will go ahead as planned.

Hotels closing doors amid coronavirus outbreak

LJUBLJANA - The head of the Slovenian hotelier association Gregor Jamnik said that certain hotels in Slovenia had been temporarily closed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. He described the situation as serious. The Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS) said that 80% of its members were affected by the impact of the global outbreak. The Labour Ministry has already put forward an emergency bill to subsidise pay for workers temporarily sent on furlough or quarantined.

Four Slovenian police officers to be deployed in Greece

LJUBLJANA - After initially announcing that 35 Slovenian police officers would be deployed on the Greece-Turkey border as part of a Frontex rapid border intervention team, the Interior Ministry reduced the number to four in its latest announcement. The officers are to be sent to Greece on Tuesday, also with a donation of material aid, such as raincoats, rubber boots, blankets and sleeping bags, valued at EUR 242,300.

Gender equality in Slovenia comparatively high

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia ranks 8th among 120 countries on the OECD gender equality scale, however women's average monthly pay is nearly EUR 130 lower than men's and two thirds of pensioners below the poverty line are women. The share of discrimination in Slovenia was 12.9%, with discrimination within the family the biggest problem. Official statistics released ahead of International Women's Day also show that Slovenia has the highest rate of female employment in the EU and one of the narrowest pay gaps.

Not guilty verdict in Chemistry Institute boss murder case allegedly annulled

LJUBLJANA - The 2014 murder of Chemistry Institute boss Janko Jamnik that shocked Slovenia will reportedly return to court in what will be the third repeat of a trial featuring Milko Novič, a former employee of the institute, as the defendant. While the Higher Court decision on the prosecution's appeal against the 2019 not guilty verdict for Novič is not yet public, the web portal 24ur.com reported on Friday that the case, which becomes statute barred in October, has been sent into retrial. Unofficially, the Higher Court agreed with the prosecution, which had taken issue with some of the procedural steps taken by Ljubljana District Court judge Zvjezdan Radonjić, who has been adamant Novič could not have committed the crime.

Slovenia to get new biotechnological centre

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will get a new biotechnological centre on the western outskirts of Ljubljana near the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology. The agreement on the construction of the Biotechnological Hub of the National Institute for Biology (NIB), valued at EUR 20.8 million, was signed today by Minister of Education, Science and Sport Jernej Pikalo and NIB head Matjaž Kuntner. The 6,500-square-metre research centre is to be built by 2023. The EU is to chip in EUR 16 million.

Open data stakeholders agree on closer cooperation

LJUBLJANA - The Open Data Hub of Slovenia, to be known as the OPSI Hub, was launched in Ljubljana in an effort to further open up public sector data, encourage the use and expansion of the government-sponsored open data portal OPSI and facilitate the cooperation of all open data contributors and beneficiaries. The communication platform was launched by the Technology Park Ljubljana and Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Public Administration Ministry.

Info commissioner critical of ePrivacy Regulation proposal

LJUBLJANA - Information Commissioner Mojca Prelesnik criticised the latest proposal on the EU's ePrivacy Regulation, recently put forward by the Croatian presidency, finding that the proposal would lower the level of protection of user rights and open door wide to potential infringements of their rights because of business interests of providers of electronic communication services. Prelesnik believes the proposal is too vague on when and how providers can process and share personal data.

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05 Mar 2020, 23:42 PM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 6 March 2020

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Coronavirus cases in Slovenia increase to six

LJUBLJANA - The number of people confirmed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Slovenia increased to six. Health authorities confirmed that two persons had contracted the virus from the first confirmed patient, a man aged about 60, who had returned from an organised motorbike tour of Morocco via Marco Polo Airport in Venice on 29 February. About 20 persons have been identified that were in close contact with the first patient. Health officials told TV Sloveija that a man and a woman who had travelled around Italy had also tested positive. They were apparently unrelated to the Morocco group. A younger man from Štajersko also tested positive.

Tour operators in Slovenia significantly affected by coronavirus

LJUBLJANA - Several travel agencies report a significant drop in business because of the new coronavirus. The agencies organising tourist trips in Slovenia are particularly affected, while those offering trips abroad have noticed a change of tourism flows. Several tour operators said all or almost all trips for March had been cancelled. Plans for Easter and 1 May holidays are also being cancelled. Big travel agencies offering trips to other countries are not particularly affected for now.

Bill ready to subsidise businesses hurt by coronavirus

LJUBLJANA - The Labour Ministry drew up an emergency bill to subsidise companies for part of pay of workers temporarily laid off as a result of the impact of the global coronavirus outbreak, Radio Slovenija reported. Workers on furlough for up to three months would get 80% of the average pay for the past three months, of which 40% would be subsidised by the state. Companies would be eligible for the subsidy if they were forced to temporarily lay off more than half of the workforce.

Electoral reform short of needed majority

LJUBLJANA - A bipartisan bill designed to reform electoral law by abolishing electoral districts and introducing a preference vote at the level of the existing eight electoral units, fell three votes short of the needed two-thirds majority to pass at the National Assembly. The bill was put forward in response to the Constitutional Court's ruling from December 2018 that gave parliament two years to re-establish the one-person-one-vote rule, distorted by the varying sizes of electoral districts.

Zorčič appointed speaker of parliament

LJUBLJANA - Igor Zorčič, former deputy group leader of the Modern Centre Party (SMC), was elected parliamentary speaker by secret ballot in a 48:29 vote. He will succeed Social Democrat (SD) leader Dejan Židan, who stepped down as soon as Janez Janša was elected prime minister, to become the 14th speaker of the National Assembly. Zorčič pledged to build parliamentary democracy in the next two years in cooperation with all MPs.

Outgoing PM denies political staffing for EU presidency

LJUBLJANA - Marjan Šarec, the outgoing prime minister, denied allegation that his caretaker government was involved in politically-motivated staffing after government departments issued short-notice calls for applications to fill posts for Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU. "This is a technical procedure and no political staffing whatsoever," Šarec told reporters, adding that the application process had been ongoing and that the posts were being filled now because the staff would need to undergo training.

Conscription reintroduction proposal defeated

LJUBLJANA - A proposal to reintroduce mandatory military service tabled by the incoming ruling Democrats (SDS) was defeated in parliament in a 36:51 vote. Apart from the SDS, the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and National Party (SNS) were in favour of the proposal, but failed to convince the others. The Modern Centre Party (SMC) and New Slovenia (NSi), the two of the four parties forming the new SDS-led coalition, did not back the bill, same as the newly-formed opposition.

Govt endorses climate fund allocations through 2023

LJUBLJANA - The caretaker government endorsed a scheme for drawing funds from the national climate fund in 2020-2023. Some EUR 350 million is projected to be available. A total of EUR 106.3 million is to be allocated for tackling climate change this year, EUR 109.6 million in 2021, EUR 70.2 million in 2022 and EUR 63.9 million in 2023. The measures eligible for funding range from the promotion of green mobility to awareness raising and R&D.

Environmental protection programme passed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed the national environmental protection programme for the period until 2030, whose implementation will cost an estimated 47 million to 53 million euro a year. The document sets out goals within three areas: protecting, preserving and improving the state of natural resources, a low-carbon society, and dealing with key environmental risks. MPs criticised the document for being lacking on concrete targets.

Manager Association proposes gender-balanced corporate boards

LJUBLJANA - The Manager Association presented a bill demanding balanced representation of both genders on the supervisory and management boards of companies. In line with the proposal, a three-member supervisory board would have to have at least 33% members of the under-represented gender. On a supervisory board with four or more members the share would have to be at least 40%. The association is also pushing for compulsory rules requiring companies to adopt a gender diversity policy and says the Economy Ministry supports the motion in principle.

Statute of limitations for sexual offences extended

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously endorsed amendments to the penal code to extend the statute of limitations for gravest sexual offences to between 30 and 90 years, up from between 10 and 30 years under the current law. The amendments were proposed by New Slovenia (NSi). Parliament also endorsed an amendment to the property code law in a 47:37 vote to introduce a new definition of animals - they are no longer things, but sentient living beings.

Nazi collaborator verdict annulment goes to top court

LJUBLJANA - The Association of WWII Veterans, the Jewish Community in Slovenia and six victims of the WWII Home Guard militia have petitioned the Constitutional Court to review the recent decision of the Supreme Court to annual the 1946 treason verdict of Leon Rupnik, a Nazi collaborationist general.
They argue the Supreme Court's decision to order a retrial was a grave interference in their dignity, right to safety and a violation of international standards and treaties Slovenia must comply with.

Slovenia nearing EU average in GDP per capita

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenia's per capita GDP in purchasing power standards reached 87% of the EU average in 2018, up two percentage points on 2017. GDP per capita is a key criterion for eligibility for EU structural funds. The improvement means the country may see an even bigger drop in the amount of cohesion funds it will have available in the 2021-2027 financial framework.

Safety concerns as waste management firm shut down

VRHNIKA - Kemis, one of the two biggest hazardous waste management companies in Slovenia, was cut off power supply on Wednesday after building authorities found that much of the facility near Vrhnika had been rebuilt illegally following a May 2017 fire. There are 800 tonnes of waste, of which 70% hazardous, still at the facility. Kemis called the decision irrational, expressing concern about the risk of fire. The facility treats more than 25% of the nation's waste.

Pipistrel to produce electric aircraft for Australia

AJDOVŠČINA - The Slovenian ultralight aircraft maker Pipistrel signed a letter of intent with Australian company Eyre to There Aviation for the production of the electric two-seaters Alpha Electro. In the first phase 15 aircraft are to be exported to Australia, later the aircraft would be produced there. Eyre to There would thus become the first producer of electric planes in Australia. It could produce up to a hundred planes a year, Pipistrel told the STA.

Slovenia, Bled win sustainable tourism awards

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's national programme for sustainable development of tourism and the lakeside resort of Bled are among this year's recipients of the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards. The Slovenian Tourist Board won the Best of Europe category for introducing sustainable models in tourism at the national level as part of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. Bled placed third in the ITB Earth Award category with its campaign to reduce waste.

Red Dawns focuses on connecting all collectives fighting for equality

LJUBLJANA - An exhibition exploring feminist themes in the post-Yugoslav era at Alkatraz Gallery in Ljubljana's Metelkova centre launched the feminist and queer festival Red Dawns. The festival will focus on connecting different collectives, both domestic and international, which are fighting for equality.

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04 Mar 2020, 21:48 PM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 5 March 2020

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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:

First case of coronavirus infection confirmed in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec announced on Twitter in the evening that the first infection with the novel coronavirus had been confirmed in Slovenia, with Health Minister Aleš Šabeder subsequently addressing the press, saying that the infected person had come to Slovenia from Morocco via Italy. The person is being treated at the infection ward of the UKC Ljubljana hospital, while the National Public Health Institute (NIJZ) is working on identifying the persons who have been in contact with the infected individual. The person visited their general practitioner today, who referred them to the infection ward due to noticeable signs of infection. The government will discuss the situation at its regular session on Thursday.

SDS-promoted conscription reintroduction looking unlikely

LJUBLJANA - Most parliamentary factions seemed opposed to a proposal that would reintroduce compulsory military service in Slovenia. The bill might thus be defeated at first reading in Thursday's vote since only the Democrats (SDS), which tabled the bill in January, the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and National Party (SNS) believe it has a future. Two of the new coalition's parties - the Modern Centre Party (SMC) and New Slovenia (NSi) - voiced serious reservations. Should the motion succeed nonetheless, it will face a referendum, which has been announced by the Left.

SMC deputy group leader slated for speaker post

LJUBLJANA - Igor Zorčič, the deputy group leader of the Modern Centre Party (SMC), was formally nominated for speaker of parliament a day after Janez Janša received the mandate to form a centre-right government. SMC leader Zdravko Počivalšek said Zorčič, a lawyer who was first elected to parliament in 2014, would lead the National Assembly "with the right degree of determination and a great deal of patience". He will succeed Social Democrat (SD) leader Dejan Židan, who stepped down as soon as Janša was elected PM.

Slovenia sending 35 police officers to Greece to help seal border

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia is deploying 35 police officers as part of a Frontex rapid border intervention team sent to Greece to help the country deal with an increased influx of migrants after Turkey recently decided to open its border with Greece, said Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar as he attended an informal EU ministerial. After today's meeting, called due to the emergency situation at the Greece-Turkey border, Poklukar highlighted that the police officers were already preparing for the task. He said that the EU's reaction to the developments had been very rapid compared to the 2015 crisis. Greece has been handling the situation well so far, he added.

Slovenian councillor in Italy positive for COVID-19

KOPER - Igor Gabrovec, an ethic Slovenian who is a member of the regional legislative assembly of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Gabrovec said he was feeling fine and that he had requested the testing himself after recently returning from holiday through the Treviso airport. Gabrovec, a councillor of the party Slovenian Community, was admitted to a hospital for observation yesterday and will remain in isolation.

Businesses urge measures in response to coronavirus fallout

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Employers' Association urged the Economy Ministry to take measures in response to the growing impact of the coronavirus outbreak on business, which it says has begun to affect all industries. Revoz, the Slovenian subsidiary of the French car maker Renault, said it has temporarily suspended production due to irregular supply of car parts that is partly blamed on the coronavirus outbreak in China. Also, Slovenia's biggest boat show, Internautica, which was to be held in the port of Trieste in May, has been cancelled due to the virus. On the other hand, tourism officials in the regions bordering Italy said they are not yet reporting a decline in visitors from Italy, a major market for Slovenian tourism.

Police find 30 foreigners hiding in train carrying clay

DOBOVA - Slovenian police officers discovered at the Dobova border crossing on Tuesday 30 citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan hiding in sealed wagons of a train carrying clay, as they attempted to enter Slovenia. The train with 20 wagons loaded with clay was coming to Slovenia from Serbia, the Novo Mesto Police Department said. The foreigners, including 12 children aged between five and fourteen as well as a woman in a late stage of pregnancy, were literally buried in clay as they tried to avoid being detected by border police, which could have been fatal.

Jobless total down again in February

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's Employment Service registered 77,484 unemployed people in February, 3% fewer than the month before and 4.1% fewer than in February 2019. A total of 5,172 were registered as freshly out of a job in February. This is 54% fewer than the month before and 0.1% more than a year ago. Of the freshly unemployed, the bulk (2,633) saw their fixed-term job contracts expire. The latest available statistics show the registered unemployment rate was at 7.7% in December, 0.4 percentage points lower than in December 2018.

Metrology company wins Business Excellence Award

LJUBLJANA - Lotrič Meroslovje is the winner of this year's Business Excellence Award conferred by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and the SPIRIT agency. The metrology company was also given at the award ceremony the certificate promoting the EFQM European model of excellence for the next three years. This is the second Business Excellence Award for the company based in Selca, east of Kranj, with the first coming in 2012. The ceremony was attended by Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, who said that business excellence should be put in the spotlight, as it was a foundation for competitiveness.

Hydro plant operator wants damages from state over scrapped Mura plant

MARIBOR - Hydro power plant operator Dravske elektrarne Maribor (DEM) is claiming EUR 6.5 million in damages from the state after the government suspended the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the river Mura in the east in the face strong opposition by locals and environmentalists. DEM told the STA that it had so far invested about EUR 9.2 million in plans for the Mura. In case that the government also decides to strip DEM of its concession right to build hydro power plants on the Mura, the damage claim will be increased so as to include all other costs.

Major tax debtor sentenced to six years and a half in prison

LJUBLJANA - Zlatan Kudić, one of Slovenia's biggest tax debtors, was sentenced to six years and a half in prison by the Ljubljana District Court after he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and money laundering, web portals 24ur and Slovenske Novice have reported. The former director of Maxicon, which went bust in 2012, went into hiding during the trial, which started in 2013. After some three months, the fugitive was apprehended, reportedly in Ljubljana. The Financial Administration (FURS) should not hold out much hope of recovering EUR 25 million in debt owed by Kudić, said TV Slovenija when he was apprehended, since Maxicon was erased from the list of debtors upon going bankrupt.

Statement about "excessive emancipation" declared most sexist of 2019

LJUBLJANA - Actor Bojan Emeršič has won the Silver Thistle for the most sexist statement of 2019 with a statement he made the daily Delo. "I don't like the excessive emancipation of the last 15 years, women fighting for your rights, which you already have. This affects erotics, which is not right, because men and women are different. Man has always been a hunter but is now losing his primary role," he said. Also among the nominees this year was President Borut Pahor, who won the award in 2016. The Silver Thistle was conferred on Tuesday evening by web portal Spol.si and the organisers of the feminist and queer festival Red Dawns.

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04 Mar 2020, 04:29 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, 4 March 2020

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Janša appointed prime minister-designate

LJUBLJANA - Democrats (SDS) leader Janez Janša was elected PM-designate, receiving the mandate to form his third government. Having forged a centre-right coalition with three more parties after Marjan Šarec resigned as PM, Janša won 52 votes in the 90-member legislature. The priorities listed by Janša in his address include cutting red tape, launching a fund in which state assets would be pooled to help finance public pensions, liberalisation of the economy and more competition in education and healthcare. The debate in parliament saw the members of the new coalition pledging to work for the entire society and rejecting criticism about the prospects of the new government being too far to the right. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and Manfred Weber, chair of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament, were among the first foreign politicians to congratulate Janša.

Slovenia and N Macedonia home ministers discuss migration

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar hosted his new North Macedonian counterpart Nakje Chulev for a meeting that focused on illegal migration, including the situation on the Turkish-Greek border. The pair agreed that the situation on the Greek-Turkish border required close monitoring and united response, with regular exchange of information being of essence. The two ministers also discussed the situation in their own countries, both of which have been seeing an increase in illegal migration in recent years. Slovenian police registered more than 16,000 instances of people crossing the border illegally last year, an increase of more than 73% on the year before. North Macedonia saw the number of such cases increase by almost 46% to 24,000.

Ljubljana mayor, co-defendants plead not-guilty in Stožice case

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković and six co-defendants pleaded not guilty in a case focussing on EU funds abuse and bank fraud in the construction of the Stožice sports park as they faced the Ljubljana District Court. A total of nine defendants are accused of criminal acts, including abuse of office, fraud of EU funds, fraud to acquire a loan and forgery of documents in the multi-million euro project. Two defendants did not attend the today's hearing and are to make a plea next time.

Charges against police dropped in hospital bribery case

LJUBLJANA - The prosecution has decided to stop further prosecution of four police officers implicated in a queue-jumping racket at Slovenia's largest hospital, according to the tabloid Slovenske Novice. The case is yet to go on trial after pre-trial arraignments in January 2019 because "the judge handling the case is currently also handling other older and higher priority cases", the paper quotes the court.

Slovenia joins group calling for strong single market

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia has joined a group of 15 mostly small EU member states that have called for a strong single market in the bloc in advance of talks scheduled for March on the strengthening of the economic basis of the union. "A well functioning single market is extraordinarily important for Slovenia as a small and open economy since it provides a large space for Slovenian companies and protects the rights of Slovenian consumers," the Slovenian permanent representation to the EU said.

Despite statutory raise, minimum wage remains almost unchanged, union warns

LJUBLJANA - Despite the fact that a minimum wage increase took effect in January, an analysis by the trade union confederation ZSSS shows only meagre increases in take-home pay. A fifth of employers analysed were in violation of legal provisions, while many other companies used a variety of moves to keep salaries nearly unchanged. Minimum wage went up from EUR 886.63 to EUR 940.58 gross on 1 January and the sum can no longer contain bonuses paid to workers alongside salaries. These now have to be paid on top of minimum wage.

Požar found guilty of libel in Melania Trump case

LJUBLJANA - Bojan Požar, the editor of news portal Požareport has received a judicial admonition for writing in 2016 that Viktor Knavs, the father of US First Lady Melania Trump, had been in prison for tax evasion. This comes after Požar was ordered to pay damages to Knavs in a related defamation lawsuit last year. Požar intends to challenge the decision.

New European short films on show in Ljubljana's Galerija Škuc

LJUBLJANA - Dozens of new European short films of various styles and approaches will be screened in Galerija Škuc until Friday as part of the European Film Days in Ljubljana - Europanorama 2020. Various genres, such as fiction, animation and experimental and documentary film, will be featured as up-and-coming directors from almost 30 European countries will be presented. The selected films will be screened in their original languages, with subtitles in English. All events will be admission free.

Doctor declared Delo woman of the decade

LJUBLJANA - Doctor Jožica Maučec Zakotnik, who has been involved mainly in preventive healthcare, won the woman of the decade title given out by Onaplus, the women's magazine issued by newspaper publisher Delo. Maučec Zakotnik has worked as a family doctor, a state secretary at the Health Ministry and a senior official at the National Public Health Institute.

Slovenia to play Greece, Kosovo and Moldova in Nations League

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Slovenia will take on Greece, Kosovo and Moldova as they play in the third-tier segment of the Nations League, a football competition that has almost entirely replaced friendly fixtures, determined a draw in Amsterdam. Slovenia currently place 64th on the rankings of FIFA, football's global governing body, with Greece the only opponent ranked higher, at 54. Kosovo are in 115th place and Moldova in 175th.

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