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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:
Opposition stages show of strength as budget debate looms
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Finance Committee endorsed the government's budget bills for 2020 and 2021, but the opposition successfully pushed through several amendments that may turn into a headache for the minority government when it faces the first major vote in parliament after losing the support of the Left. That is because the amendments tabled by the opposition would raise spending by roughly EUR 200 million next year, with extra funding secure for municipalities and rail investments. Unofficial reports suggest the treasury is concerned the budget may run afoul of the fiscal rule. The budget debate at the plenary starts on Tuesday.
Prosecutor general reports MP over mafia comment
LJUBLJANA - Supreme State Prosecutor Zvonko Fišer reported Democrat (SDS) MP Žan Mahnič for defamation over the MP's statement that likened the Constitutional Court to mafia. Fišer told the STA that "to say 'mafia protects mafia' is defamatory and nothing to be played with." On Wednesday, Mahnič likened the Constitutional Court to mafia protecting its own after the curt imposed a temporary injunction targeting a parliamentary inquiry commission chaired by Mahnič. Constitutional Court President Rajko Knez also criticised Mahnič, labelling the statement as inappropriate in that it showed a lack of respect not only toward the Constitutional Court but other state institutions as well.
Petrol reports 16% higher nine-month profit
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian energy group Petrol posted a net profit of EUR 80.1 million in the first three quarters of the year, an increase of 16% from the same period of 2018, as sales rose by 10% to EUR 4.19 billion. Commenting on the results, the management said that operations were running smoothly and in accordance with the company's strategy and annual despite the recent change in the management. The group generated an adjusted gross profit of EUR 362.6 million in the first nine months of the year, up 14% on the same period a year ago.
GZS expects lending brake to suppress economic growth
LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) said it expected the central bank's restrictions on consumer loans to reduce Slovenia's nominal economic growth by about EUR 90 million a year, given that private consumption represents 52% of Slovenia's GDP. In its commentary on the restrictions that took effect on 1 November, the GZS challenged the central bank's concerns about a rapid growth in consumer loans and household debt.
Judicial Council backs three candidates for EU court
LJUBLJANA - The Judicial Council has unanimously endorsed three Slovenian candidates for two judicial posts at the EU's General Court in Luxembourg: Klemen Podobnik, Nina Savin Bossière and Jure Vidmar. Slovenia has to send two judges to Luxembourg after its candidates Miro Prek and Marko Pavliha failed to garner the necessary support. Podobnik was backed as the most suitable candidate for the first vacancy at the court, and Nina Savin Bossière and Jure Vidmar for the second one.
Economic and Social Council introducing new rules
LJUBLJANA - The Economic and Social Council, Slovenia's main industrial relations forum, signed an agreement that changes the rules of its operations and protocol so as to allow the body to discuss not only government-sponsored bills but any draft legislation. The move comes after the employers' and the employees' side in the ESS protested because legislation had been passed by the National Assembly without having been discussed by the ESS. The legislation was mostly put forward by the opposition Left, until recently a partner to the minority government of Marjan Šarec.
Worker rights group says exploitation remains rampant
LJUBLJANA - The Counselling Office for Workers presented following a six-month project several guidelines for social partners meant to tackle continuing widespread worker exploitation. The priorities highlighted include the need to beef up inspections and clamp down on outsourcing. The office called for cooperation agreements that would connect the Slovenian Labour Inspectorate with labour inspectorates in other countries, most notably in Germany and Belgium, two major destinations for workers posted from Slovenia.
Average wage slightly down in September
LJUBLJANA - The average wage in Slovenia amounted to EUR 1,712.11 gross or EUR 1,105.26 net in September, a decrease of 0.8% on August in nominal terms and of 0.6% in real terms in both cases, the Statistics Office said. It pointed to lower one-off payments as the main reason for the decrease. Compared to September 2018, the average gross wage in September was 4.9% higher in nominal terms, while in the first nine months of the year it increased by 4.3% year-on-year in nominal and by 2.6% in real terms.
Culture minister discussing cooperation in Russia
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia - Slovenian Culture Minister Zoran Poznič paid a visit to Russia to attend the 8th International Cultural Forum in Saint Petersburg, which opened tonight. He also met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky to discuss cultural cooperation, which Poznič would like to enhance through exchanges of cultural institutions and more guest appearances.
Interface explored at 20th Pixxelpoint
NOVA GORICA - The city of Nova Gorica is hosting until 23 November the 20th Pixxelpoint, an international festival of contemporary new media art which draws heavily on digital technologies. Curator Peter Purg from the School of Arts at the University of Nova Gorica says the festival will check accessible reality and entertain doubt about what happens at the interface. It will topicalize intermedia art production, which is increasingly based on collaborations between artists and scientists to explore new digital technologies.
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