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This summary is provided by the STA:
Parties relieved radicalism has not prevailed in EU
LJUBLJANA - Judging by the yet incomplete results of European parliamentary elections, Slovenian parties find it will be very difficult to form a strong coalition in the European Parliament. They invariably express relief that radical forces fell short of making significant gains. The Democratic Party (SDS), which won the election in partnership with the People's Party (SLS), is hoping for a grand coalition, one that would also include the liberals, while the SocDems, which came second, hope for an alliance "with the the Greens, the left and possibly the liberals" although an alliance of S&D, ALDE and the EPP "cleansed" of radical forces would also be acceptable.
Pahor congratulates MEPs, happy with increase in turnout EU-wide
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor congratulated Slovenia's eight MEPs elected on Sunday, also expressing satisfaction that the average EU turnout increased, exceeding 50%. He is happy that pro-EU forces gained sufficient support to "further develop and strengthen our common European home". "I am sincerely thankful to everybody who cast their vote yesterday. I am particularly happy that turnout was considerably higher on the EU level, somewhat less so in Slovenia, but still higher than five years ago," Pahor said in a written statement for the STA.
Cerar and Petriček discuss coop, EU, W Balkans
CERKLJE NA GORENJSKEM - The Slovenian and Czech foreign ministers, Miro Cerar and Tomaš Petriček, highlighted their efforts for a united EU, urged an open-door policy for the Western Balkans and called for even closer bilateral cooperation as they met in Slovenia. Meeting a day after the EU elections, they expressed hope that a strong, pro-European coalition would be formed in the EU parliament to address the challenges ahead. Cerar and Petriček believe the EU should endorse the launch of accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania in June, since this is of utmost importance for stability in SE Europe.
Pahor to pay official visit to Montenegro
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor will start a two-day official visit to Montenegro on Wednesday. He will meet his host, Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović, and attend the 9th regional security forum in Podgorica. This will be the president's first official visit to Montenegro since the country joined NATO, so it is to reaffirm on a symbolic level Slovenia's support to Montenegro's aspiration to join Euro-Atlantic integration, Pahor's office said.
Brglez passing MP seat to SMC, Novak to younger colleague
LJUBLJANA - Two of the eight Slovenian members elected to the European Parliament on Sunday have so far served as MPs, which means their seats will pass to the candidates placing behind them on the respective party ticket in the 2018 general election. Milan Brglez, who made it to the European Parliament on the slate of the SocDems, will be replaced by Dušan Verbič, however for the Modern Centre Party (SMC) on whose ticked Brglez got elected to parliament before defecting to the SD. Ljudmila Novak from the opposition party New Slovenia (NSi) will be replaced at the National Assembly by Tadeja Šuštar.
Petrol tops Delo's list of largest companies revenue-wise
LJUBLJANA - The 300 largest companies in the country generated a total of EUR 45.73 billion in revenue last year, which is 9.7% more than in 2017, while their total net profit was up by 4.1% to EUR 1.77 billion, shows a list by the newspaper Delo. The top 300 companies contributed 45.3% of the total revenue generated by all companies in 2018, which is 0.9 of a percentage point more than in 2017. The largest company in terms of revenue was the fuel retailer Petrol with EUR 4.4 billion. It is followed by the power producer Gen-I (EUR 2.38 billion), the Renault car assembly plant Revoz (EUR 1.78 billion), the power utility HSE (EUR 1.52 billion) and the drug maker Krka (EUR 1.28 billion).
Railways operator commissions additional passenger trains
LJUBLJANA - National rail operator Slovenske Železnice signed a EUR 151 million contract with German train maker Stadler to buy 26 new passenger trains. This comes after the company already commissioned 26 new trains from Stadler in April 2018. The first trains are to arrive and be tested by the end of the year. This is part of the operator's plan to overhaul the passenger services in the country, which are marred by outdated trains, many of which do not even have AC, and low travel speeds.
Impol enters business deal with BMW
SLOVENSKA BISTRICA - Impol, a leading Slovenian aluminium producer, has recently entered a deal to supply German car producer BMW with aluminium rods for the bodyworks of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The deal, worth EUR 40 million, will make the group BMW's direct supplier for at least five years. To meet the demand, Impol will build a new production facility spanning 3,000 square metres in Slovenska Bistrica. The investment is estimated at almost EUR 6.5 million, of which almost EUR 4 million will be spent on new equipment. Production is meanwhile expected to be launched at the end of 2020 or at the beginning of 2021.
Almost third of natural habitats in Slovenia doing poorly, report finds
LJUBLJANA - Animals and natural habitats in Slovenia are not doing very well, suggests a report by the Institute for Nature Conservation, calling for measures to protect the environment. The conservation status of more than half of species has been labelled as unfavourable, while almost a third of habitats are doing poorly. The animal situation is the most worrying for amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies, followed by beetles, fish, crabs, reptiles and bats. The most problematic habitat areas are inland waters, grasslands, moors and marshes.
Dušan Merc new head of Slovenian Writers' Association
LJUBLJANA - Novelist Dušan Merc was elected the new president of the Slovenian Writers' Association (DSP). He was the only candidate for the post, vacated earlier this year due to Aksinija Kermauner's resignation. Merc, 66, will serve until the end of 2020, when the current three-year term runs out. This is the second election for the DSP in less than a year after poet and playwright Ivo Svetina resigned last July. Kermauner resigned after six months on the job, citing her disagreement with the state's attitude towards the DSP, notably a considerable lack of funds it provides for its activities.
Fake doctor gets suspended prison sentence
LJUBLJANA - Media reported that the Ljubljana Local Court had ruled in the case of a 29-year old woman who posed as a doctor in Izola at the end of 2016. The woman, who later also tried to pass as a nurse in Trbovlje, received a suspended prison sentence of five years on three years probation for forgery. The woman's degree certificates were fraudulent and she registered as a doctor with the Medical Chamber using a copy of a fake diploma. The Trbovlje hospital demands that she return the pay she received while working there for a month and a half.
