Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Provisions on prosecution of paramilitary groups taking shape
LJUBLJANA - The government postponed the adoption of legislative changes meant to simplify the prosecution of paramilitary militias, but the part of its plans that has been disclosed points to a clear definition of such groupings and their actions. Damir Črnčec, a state secretary it the office of PM Marjan Šarec, told Radio Slovenija that all actions through which such groups manifest themselves as a type of a military structure trying to imitate the execution of police or army powers and tasks would be penalised. This is meant to also resolve the dilemma concerning the freedom of association, since the purpose of the association and activities is very clear in the case of paramilitary-type groups.
Pensions to increase in December 2020 assuming growth exceeds 2.5%
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed legislation that curtails pay rises in the public sector but also brings an unscheduled increase in pensions in December 2020 assuming GDP growth exceeds 2.5%. Despite opposition from pensioners' associations and several parties, the increase will be a flat 6.5 euro for all pensioners, rather than a percentage increase. If GDP growth is significantly higher, 3.5%, which is unlikely according to the latest forecasts, pensions would rise by 9.75 euro.
Janša urges accession talks with N Macedonia, Schengen zone expansion
ZAGREB, Croatia - The leader of the Slovenian Democrats (SDS), Janez Janša, urged the EU to start accession talks with North Macedonia and to admit Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia to the Schengen zone, as he addressed a congress of the European People's Party (EPP). He warned against double standards and called for promises to be met, especially those that can be "easily implemented if there is enough political will". Janša also expressed support for the new EPP leader, Donald Tusk, and new European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in implementing the EU's strategic programmes.
Govt changes definition of animals from things to living beings
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted legislative changes redefining animals, until now considered things by Slovenian legislation, as living beings. Talking to the press after the government session, Justice Minister Andreja Katič said she wanted animals to be defined as sentient living beings, but the cabinet did not support this. She expressed hope that the definition will be amended to say just this by the National Assembly. The bill was drafted in cooperation with legal experts and NGOs, with Katič saying that it had been impossible to push the "sentient living beings" definition through inter-departmental coordination, delaying adoption by the government by four weeks.
Anti-graft watchdog warns transparency of lobbying poor
LJUBLJANA - The Corruption Prevention Commission warned in a report on lobbying in 2018 that eight years after the implementation of legislation in this field, lobbying remains a grey area. The commission received 1,276 reports on lobbying in 2018 concerning a total of 4,353 contacts with lobbyists. In 2017, the number of reports was slightly higher, at 1,379, while the number of contacts was lower (3,061). What the commission finds particularly worrying is lobbying at the local level. In 2018, only three reports on lobbying arrived from a single municipality, and the situation was the same in 2017.
Soldiers' union takes ministry to labour court
LJUBLJANA - The Trade Union of Soldiers (SVS) appealed to the Labour Court to resolve a dispute with the Defence Ministry as a result of which shop stewards can no longer count union activity as a full-time job. The ministry terminated the agreement on union activity with the union on 20 May arguing violation of unionist activity, after the union publicly urged an ouster motion against Defence Minister Karl Erjavec over the dismissal of a senior army commander. The agreement's termination is effective as of today.
Krka's net profit up 42% to EUR 172m in first nine months
LJUBLJANA - The Novo Mesto-based pharmaceutical group Krka said it had generated EUR 1.09 billion in sales revenue in the first nine months of the year, which is 12% more than in the same period last year, while net profit increased by 42% to EUR 171.9 million. The core company Krka saw its sales revenue rise by 10% to top EUR 1 billion, while its net profit rose by 46% to EUR 174.8 million, shows the company's business report. Sales went up in all regions and for all groups of products and services. Krka generated the most revenue in Eastern Europe, where sales went up by 18% to almost EUR 339.7 million in the first nine months of the year, which is 31% of total sales.
OECD slightly downgrades Slovenia's 2019 GDP growth forecast to 3.1%
PARIS, France - The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) downgraded Slovenia's GDP growth forecast for 2019 from 3.4% to 3.1% after already downgrading it slightly in May. Forecast for 2020 and 2021 indicate similar growth of 3.0% and 3.1%, respectively. The OECD says that private consumption will continue to be the main driver of growth, sustained by higher wages and solid employment gains. The downgrade comes after the OECD had already changed Slovenia's forecast from 3.6% to 3.4% for 2019 in May.
Intereuropa 9-month revenue, profit nearly level y/y
KOPER - The logistics group Intereuropa generated EUR 120.2 million in revenue in the first nine months of the year, which is 1% more than in the same period last year. The group's net profit was up 2% to EUR 4.2 million year-on-year, according to the group's unaudited business report. The parent company's revenue went up by 1% to EUR 84.5 million, while its profit dropped by 5% to EUR 3.6 million. The group's EBITDA reached EUR 10.3 million, which is 5% less than in the same period last year and 2% more than planned.
Reading habits unchanged for over 40 years, study shows
LJUBLJANA - Reading habits in Slovenia have remained practically unchanged since 1973, when the first study into reading was carried out, publishing industry expert Miha Kovač has told the STA as he presented this year's research into reading habits and book purchases. Kovač, long-serving head of the Publishers' Academy, says the study shows three interesting trends. The number of non-readers is practically the same as in 1973. The number of readers rose by a few percent when Slovenia was gaining independence, but then fell again. Then, compared to 2014, the number of regular readers dropped by five points to 13% in 2018.
Consumer confidence down in November
LJUBLJANA - Consumer confidence in Slovenia deteriorated for the fourth month running in November to reach the lowest point since mid-2016. Consumers were much more pessimistic than last month about the suitability of the moment for major purchases, the Statistics Office said. The index was down by two percentage points in monthly comparison, and came close to the long-term average, exceeding it by just four points. The index was down because of drops in all four indicators. Consumer expectations about the economic situation were down by 3 points, and expectations regarding the financial situation in households, number of unemployed and savings by 2 points each.
Satisfaction with state of society declines after positive streak
LJUBLJANA - Slovenians' level of satisfaction with the general state in the country deteriorated this year for the first time following a steady climb of seven years, suggests the Slovenian Mirror survey released by pollster Valicon. Measuring the perception of the general state in Slovenia, expectations and personal happiness, the survey showed the share of discontent respondents increasing for the first time after the 91% peak, recorded in 2012, a year of country-wide street protests. Slovenian Mirror also measures trust in institutions and professions and found trust in institutions remaining on par with 2018, at -19% and still among the highest in the history of the survey.
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
