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This summary is provided by the STA:
Govt confirms EUR 40m aid package to cut companies' energy bills
LJUBLJANA - The government confirmed an aid package under which EUR 40 million will be disbursed to companies this year and next to help them cope with higher energy costs. EUR 20 million will be available this year and another EUR 20 million through mid-March 2023, in what Economy Minister Han described as merely the first step in efforts to help the corporate sector. Three types of aid will be available, covering either 30% or 70% of companies' energy costs. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) welcomed the aid scheme as "an appropriate measure considering the EU legal framework."
Govt approves EUR 41m package to help vulnerable through energy crisis
LJUBLJANA - The government approved a EUR 41 million package to help vulnerable households and individuals and the disabled get through the energy crisis this winter. Some 63,000 vulnerable individuals and 7,400 disabled will be eligible for one-off aid of EUR 200. Labour Minister Luka Mesec said EUR 27 million would be paid out this year and EUR 14 million next year. He said the aid was targetted to help households at risk and the disabled. The former group includes some 54,000 recipients of welfare payments, including the working poor, and 9,000 pensioners whose income is so low they receive security allowance.
NIJZ proposes two-tier Covid system for autumn, winter
LJUBLJANA - The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) presented a two-phase approach to dealing with the coronavirus this autumn and winter, with epidemiologist Mario Fafangel underlining the importance of predictability of measures. If the government approves the plan, in phase 1 measures such as masks and work from home will be recommended for potential high-risk patients, while in phase 2 many measures will become mandatory or stepped up. Vaccination and masking in schools will not be mandatory in phase 1 or 2.
Several injured as gale-force winds hit the country
LJUBLJANA - Fierce winds swept through Slovenia in the afternoon, ripping off roofs and toppling trees and other objects in parts of the country. Several people were injured by falling trees and other objects in Ljubljana, where the Environment Agency data shows winds gusted up to a record 102 kilometres an hour. The wind blew away rubbish bins, billboards, roofs, traffic signs, building materials. In Kranj, the winds peeled roofs off some 70 buildings.
Ex-MP Andrej Magajna joins presidential race
LJUBLJANA - Andrej Magajna, leader of the non-parliamentary New Social Democracy, joined the presidential race ahead of the October election. He pointed to democratic deficit, non-functioning oversight institutions and corruption as some of Slovenia's main problems. Magajna, an MP for the Social Democrats (SD) in 2008-2011, will run with the support of his party if he collects the needed 3,000 voter signatures, which he believes will not be easy. As for the rest of the 12 hopefuls who have already announced their bids, he said they were OK but "don't stress the key problems, such as corruption, sufficiently".
No Covid deaths on Wednesday as cases fall
LJUBLJANA - A total of 1,233 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Slovenia on Wednesday, almost a quarter fewer than the same day a week ago. No patients with Covid-19 died, data from the Health Ministry shows. A total of 88 patients still require hospital treatment for Covid as their main condition, including 11 who need intensive care. The overall figure is down from 100 a week ago with ten ICU cases. The latest data from the National Institute of Public Health shows the 14-day incidence per 100,000 of the population has dropped by nearly a hundred in a week to 868, as the 7-day case average fell by more than 200 to 1,195.
Insurer Triglav reports H1 net profit down 4% to EUR 45m
LJUBLJANA - Insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav posted a group net profit of EUR 45.3 million in the first six months of the year, down 4% on the same period last year. Total revenue rose by 11% to EUR 861.2 million. Gross written premiums were up 9% to EUR 797.2, as gross premiums paid rose by 15% to EUR 398.1 million, according to the company's unaudited business report. The combined ratio, an insurance industry benchmark, remained broadly flat at 89.5%.
AmCham Slovenija joins opposition against reversal of tax cuts
LJUBLJANA - AmCham Slovenija joined other business organisations in protesting against the government's legislative proposal to reverse the previous government's income tax cuts. While the organisation welcomed the plan for a comprehensive tax reform to follow in 2024, which it hopes will be formed in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, it said the government's latest proposal to amend the income tax act does not represent a step forward in efforts to create an environment conducive to business.
Cement maker Salonit Anhovo taps solar energy
ANHOVO - A new solar power plant, the first of several planned, was launched on the roof of cement maker Salonit Anhovo. The factory, which has faced pollution accusations in the past, said all the electricity generated by the 2.23 megawatt solar power plant will immediately be used in production. The solar power plant is one of the largest factory rooftop installations in Slovenia. It is expected to produce 2120 megawatt-hours of electricity a year.
Mladinska Knjiga gets three new supervisors
LJUBLJANA - The shareholders of publisher Mladinska Knjiga, 83% of which is owned by Slovenia's bad bank, replaced three of five supervisors. Nina Marin, Jože Možina and Peter Kavčič, appointees of the previous government, were replaced by Taja Kuhar, Duško Kos and Milena Fornazarič, while Nuška Berki and Andrej Gale remain on the board. Changes were also made to the articles of association, making it harder to dismiss supervisors and to change the articles of association.
Ptuj winding back clock to Roman times
PTUJ - Ptuj will be turning into Roman Poetovio for four days starting today as the 15th Roman Games get under way in what is Slovenia's oldest city. Nearly 800 costumed actors from six countries will represent life and customs from 2,000 years ago, when the city was a major trade and craft centre. Gladiators, legionaries, senators, vestal virgins and other ancient Roman characters will fill the town and the Roman Camp Poetovio in the Štuki borough. After two years with a scaled down programme and without visitors, the Roman Games are returning in full splendour, the organisers announced.
Dončić beats Jokić in NBA superstar encounter in Stožice
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian men's basketball team scored another win as it gears up for the EuroBasket, defeating Serbia 97:92 in an overtime thriller on Wednesday evening that saw Slovenia's Luka Dončić outplay the fellow NBA superstar Nikola Jokić. The spectacle in the packed Stožice Arena, which was attended by many celebrities, including tennis legend Novak Đoković and UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, was the fifth win for Slovenia in as many warm-up matches ahead of the European championship. Slovenia will play two qualifying matches for the 2023 World Cup next week, before travelling to Cologne for the EuroBasket.
