News
STA, 19 November 2019 - Overworked and underpaid, Slovenian nurses have been quitting their jobs in droves, leaving hospitals struggling to find replacements, in particular for vacancies at intensive care units.
The situation is worst at UKC Ljubljana, Slovenia's largest hospital, which has been forced to limit admission of patients at about 40 out of 2,150 beds.
"Part of the daily working programme is maintained by going the extra mile to stretch the timetables," UKC Ljubljana said, adding that it lacked the leverage to pay nurses at clinical departments properly.
"Those are the hardest workstations, and younger generations are avoiding them," said UKC Ljubljana director-general Janez Poklukar.
Nurses have been leaving hospitals, where they often work three shifts, for better paid and less demanding jobs either abroad, in primary care or for non-nursing jobs in the corporate sector.
Hospitals in the north and north-east of the country have been hit particularly hard by staff leaving abroad, mainly to Austria. UKC Maribor is facing a shortage of 25% of nursing staff.
Marjan Pintar, the head of the Slovenian Health Institutes' Association, says that staffing problems first occurred with the establishment of nurse-led consultancies at community health centres in 2011.
Some 500 graduate nurses left hospitals for those consultancies at the time, and a further 200 have left to be employed at the call centres established recently, Pintar said.
This is why the shortfall of graduate nurses is the most acute, even though their per capita number in Slovenia is within the OECD average.
"Since 2000 the number of nursing staff increased by 45%, the shortfall mainly due to the gap between the increasing expectations of the profession and the available staff," said Pintar.
"If new work standards are adopted and community health centres need to hire extra graduate nurses, the most demanding units at Slovenian hospitals will be drained empty, which may seriously jeopardise our health system."
Based on the standards that are being drawn up, it is estimated public health institutions will need an additional 3,543 graduate nurses, 145 graduate midwives and 45 nurses with secondary education, at the cost of EUR 100 million.
The nursing and social care trade union estimates shortages at between 20% and 25% at the moment, which means roughly 2,100 nurses, mainly at hospitals. There are also shortages at nursing homes.
What is more, 8,200 nurses are aged above 50. "Over the next few years a large and highly experienced generation of nurses will retire, and it will be impossible to replace," the union's head Dragica Kekec has warned.
"Nursing work is hard ... it involves sacrifice from individuals and families, night-time work ... work at Sundays, holidays, no time to rest, those absent are not being replaced," says Kekec.
Even though 1,000 nurses were registered as unemployed in September, the Employment Service says that less than half had nursing experience and only 580 were looking for a nursing job.
Another problem is that the job seekers do not have the level of education required by the employer, while some of the unemployed have limiting factors such as heath or other issues.
The trade union believes that higher pay and better working conditions would do much to curb the high turnover. It opposes ideas to look for nurses abroad.
Despite shortages, few hospitals have opted for such a solution, the main obstacle being the required language skills and demanding procedures to recognise foreign qualifications.
UKC Ljubljana officials have taken part in a career fair in Belgrade, detecting considerable demand for work in Slovenia. But they note the obstacle of the high language proficiency requirements.
As a stop-gap measures they are hiring staff through student work agencies and alleviating nursing staff of administrative work.
All our stories on healthcare in Slovenia are here
One of most recognizable buildings in Maribor stands at Glavni trg 1 (Main Square No. 1), where the centre of Maribor’s social life was hosted for most of the 20th century.
The story of the building is closely related to the nearby bridge, now called the Old Bridge. It was built by a German man Ludwig Franz, who had amassed significant wealth by manufacturing pasta, and decided to bring some advanced urban spirit into the city by building a well-equipped up-to-date house at one end of the new bridge which was being constructed.
The completion of the building occurred one month after the opening of the bridge, which was on August 23, 1913. With his brother Ludwig dedicated the house to their mother and named it Cafe Teresienhof (Theresa’s Court Café).
The house was quite advanced for the time, having its own electricity generator, while the café’s services included the possibility of ordering a lunch at the City Square, where it was then delivered by a carriage.
When Adolf Hitler paraded across the main square in 1941, the house was already called Velika Kavarna (Grand Café).
In the fifties and sixties Velika Kavarna was a venue of many pleasant social events for the citizens of Maribor, with many later stars in the Slovenian popular music scene beginning their careers there.
Following this golden age of the Velika Kavarna, a casino came into the building, which went bankrupt in 2009 and left the old café’s salon in not so splendid condition. Apparently, the casino’s management, having no money at hand to pay staff their deserved salaries, decided they could just take with anything valuable they could find on the premises. This is how Velika Kavarna was stripped of its lights and chandeliers.
Years of negotiations and fights over ownership ensued, all slowly inscribing themselves into the walls of the building, until the Grand Café was finally reopened as the Salon of Applied Arts, which decided to preserve the entire history of the place on the walls and equipment and turn the café back into a hangout for everyone curious about history of the house and local design.
Unfortunately, Salon of applied arts closed its doors permanently in July 2019. We wonder what will happen next.
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:
Six EU members urge Commission to define steps on W Balkans enlargement
LJUBLJANA - Foreign ministers of Austrian, Czechia, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia called on the European Commission to define by January 2020 concrete proposals on how to "enhance the effectiveness of the accession process as an instrument to support reform and integration efforts" in the Western Balkans. "The EU's openness to all European nations who share our values and are ready to accept the acquis communautaire is pivotal for the Union's historic mission of completing European unification," the ministers said, noting that a month ago the EU failed to reach consensus on accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.
Cerar stresses need to preserve Slovenian political representation in Italy
KOPER - The need to preserve Slovenian representation in the Italian parliament was highlighted by Foreign Minister Miro Cerar after a session of the joint committee of Slovenia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. He said Slovenia would back all of the Slovenian minority's efforts to secure the honouring of the Italian act protecting it. He announced after what was an annual meeting by the committee that he would discuss the topic with the new Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio as part of his December visit to Italy.
FinMin hints resignation likely unless budget within limits
LJUBLJANA - Finance Minister Andrej Bertoncelj suggested he would resign if parliament confirmed opposition amendments to budget legislation that swell spending by about EUR 140 million per year, over a percent of total budget expenditure. Passage of the amendment granting local communities more money would create a mismatch between the budget act and the related budget implementation act. If that happens, "we will probably no longer have a finance minister," he said as a three-day debate on the 2020-2021 budgets started in parliament.
Angelika Mlinar, former Austrian MEP, slated for cohesion portfolio
LJUBLJANA - The Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) announced it will nominate Angelika Mlinar, an ethnic Slovenian politician from Austria, as minister without portfolio in charge of cohesion policy. The nomination will be submitted once the budgets for 2020 and 2021 are passed in parliament. Bratušek said Mlinar was a great fit to head the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy since she is adept at "opening doors in Brussels corridors". The previous minister, Iztok Purič, stepped down in September citing personal reasons.
New Russian ambassador to Slovenia appointed
MOSCOW, Russia - Timur Rafailovic Eyvazov was appointed Russia's new ambassador to Slovenia by President Vladimir Putin on Monday, according to the press agency Tass. It is not yet clear when Eyvazov will take over from the long-serving Ambassador Doku Zavgayev, who came to Ljubljana in 2009. Eyvazov has so far served as a counsellor at the Russian Embassy in France.
Slovenia gets half a million for Yugoslav embassy in Bonn
LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry announced that the countries successors to Yugoslavia had sold the building housing the Yugoslav embassy in Bonn for around EUR 3.7 million, of which Slovenia would get 14% or slightly more than half a million euro. In addition to the Bonn residence, the successor countries also sold in the last year and a half the former consulate in New York and the former embassy in Tokyo. Slovenia has received a combined EUR 3.6 million for the real estate.
Analyst: European NATO members should become more assertive
LJUBLJANA - NATO, gearing up to mark its 70th anniversary at a London summit in December, is in a turbulent period, but Slovenian defence analyst Vladimir Prebilič believes it would be an exaggeration to say it is "brain dead" as claimed by French President Emmanuel Macron. However, he did say that European allies should be more assertive in their relations with the US and Turkey, bringing up the US's announcement of withdrawal from Syria and Turkey's offensive against the Kurds in north Syria.
Hospitals struggling with nursing shortages
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian hospitals find it increasingly hard to replace nursing staff who are leaving for better paid or less demanding jobs abroad, in primary care or in other sectors. Intensive care units have been hit especially hard. The situation is worst at UKC Ljubljana, Slovenia's largest hospital, which has had to limit admission of patients at about 40 out of 2,150 beds. Its Maribor counterpart faces a shortage of 25% of nursing staff. New work norms are expected to make the situation even worse.
Slovenian and Hungarian automotive clusters deepen cooperation
MARIBOR - The Slovenian and Hungarian automotive clusters signed an agreement to develop cutting-edge technologies which they hope would make them leaders in the transition to e-mobility. The signing took place at a business event in Maribor that was also attended by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and Hungarian Minster for Innovation and Technology Laszlo Palkovics. Slovenian companies are already involved in the development of Hungary's test track for conventional and autonomous cars.
NLB completes EUR 120 million bond issue
LJUBLJANA - NLB bank announced it had completed the issue of EUR 120 million worth of subordinate bonds. The demand for the bonds far surpassed the supply, with the book of orders reaching EUR 290 million. The first bond issue after the bank was privatised a year ago featured Tier 2 subordinate notes with a ten-year maturity and an interest rate of 3.65% per annum, callable after five years. The papers were listed on the Luxembourg stock market on the day of the issue.
Gorenje Tiki sold to Sweden's Nibe Industrier
VELENJE - The Velenje-based household appliances maker Gorenje sold its Serbian subsidiary Gorenje Tiki, which produces small water heaters, to Swedish company Nibe Industrier, a leading European player in the field of heating technology solutions. Gorenje did not disclose the value of the deal, which is still subject to anti-trust approval. The sale of Stara Pazova-based Gorenje Tiki, which mostly manufactures water heaters and heat pumps, is part of Gorenje's non-core businesses divestment strategy.
Kolektor Etra acquires Polish power tank maker
LJUBLJANA - The business newspaper Finance reported that the Ljubljana-based energy equipment maker Kolektor Etra acquired the Polish company Weltech for EUR 7 million. Kolektor Etra outbid two rival companies and two financial funds. Based in Myslowice near Katowice and employing 180 people, Weltech last year generated EUR 9.6 million in revenue, posting a profit. It produces power tanks and traction tanks, its key clients including Germany's Siemens and France's JST Transformateurs.
New Czech owner to modernise Vipap Videm
KRŠKO - RIDG Holding, the new Czech owner of Vipap Videm Krško, announced plans to invest in the modernisation of Slovenia's largest paper producer, which it believes offers huge untapped potential. "We come as an investor whose objective is innovation and expansion of the product portfolio, modernisation of production and stabilisation," said RIDG Holding representative Pavel Svoren. The holding recently acquired a 96.5% stake in the company from the Czech Finance Ministry.
Report: Moroccan man suspected of raping two students
LJUBLJANA - The newspaper Dnevnik reported that a 38-year old man from Morocco who came out of prison in late September after serving a two-year prison sentence for robbery in Slovenia, was suspected of raping two students in Ljubljana. He was brought before an investigating judge at the end of October, and was remanded in custody. According to the Ljubljana police department, one crime was committed at a student dorm in the Bežigrad borough and the other about ten days later in the city centre.
Man who attacked TV crew gets six-month suspended sentence
NOVA GORICA - A man who attacked a TV crew in Nova Gorica in August 2018 was given a six-month suspended sentence by the Nova Gorica District Court. The sentence was handed down in absentia since the defendant, Denis Koršič, 41 refused to show up at court again with the argument that he had already said everything there was to say. The man told the court in February that he had nothing against the media or the TV Slovenija crew he attempted to ram into, but he only wanted to be left alone.
Culture minister in Paris for UNESCO meetings
LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Zoran Poznič is in Paris for the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference. On Monday evening he discussed hate speech and several other issues with the organisation's assistant director-general for culture, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez. He also talked about renovation of what used to be the Yugoslav exhibition pavilion at the Auschwitz-Birkenau remembrance centre, and about mounting a joint exhibition there under the patronage of UNESCO.
AV industry holds great potential but needs investment
LJUBLJANA - A study conducted by Deloitte into the audiovisual (AV) industry in Slovenia showed that the sector has positive effects on the economy and creates new jobs, while incentives from the state are far from sufficient. The AV sector's multiplication effect is estimated at 1.8. This means 80 jobs in various sectors for every 100 people working in AV. The industry has a nearly 40% fiscal effect, as for every EUR 100 invested in the sector, EUR 40 return into the national budget.
Dončić sets new Slovenian NBA record
DALLAS, US - Luka Dončić set a new Slovenian record in points scored in the NBA, scoring 42 points for Dallas Mavericks's 117:110 win against San Antonio Spurs on Monday evening. So far the record was held by Goran Dragić, who scored 40 points in February 2014 for the Phoenix Suns. Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle commented by saying that "this guy can do anything he wants to on a basketball court." Dončić. At the age of 20, Dončić is the second-youngest NBA player with a 40-point triple-double.
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
Slovenia may be the only country in the world with “love” in its name, but romance is perhaps not on the menu after dark on 29 and 30 November when Celje hosts Eroticland – the biggest European regional erotic festival, and one operating under a new name after a decade as SLOVErotica.
On that weekend, the last Friday and Saturday nights in November, the city of counts will play host to the legendary Rocco Siffredi, director and star of some 1,300 adult films, along with other names from the world of pornography (including Veronica Avluv, Martina Smeraldi, Cherry Kiss, Christiana Cinn, Michael Stefano, Laura Fiorentino, Franco Roccaforte, Mike Angelo, Angel Emily, Amandha Fox and Lisa Amane, see here, NSFW). On both days the event runs from 18:00 to 02:00, and has a programme, see here (NSFW), that promises six stages offering an erotic car wash, a freeky (sic) zone with some bondage and rope, dancing in cages and on poles, erotic workshops, a ladies zone, a swingers’ corner, tantric experiences, exhibitors stalls and more.
The focal attraction will be an orgy organised by the “Italian Stallion”, and in the words of the official website:
Rocco Siffredi’s HARD ACADEMY SPACE VERSION ORCHESTRA will be one of the most striking performances of this year’s Eroticland! An “orchestra” orgy live, under the watchful eye of “conductor” Rocco, who simultaneously elevates and communicates with the audience… There will be a battle between MILFs as violas and the newcomers as the violins, while the men will be the brass section, checking out who does it better! Seen for the first time at and created only for EROTICLAND!
The publicity for the event, which is strictly 18+, goes on to note “We are certain that this extraordinary event will leave a lasting impression on you and create scenes you won’t forget easily!”
Eroticland will be held at Celjski sejem, Dečkova cesta 1 3000 Celje, tickets can be purchased here (NSFW), and please note that animals are strictly forbidden.
In 1896 a four-kilometre long electric grid with 700 light bulbs came into operation in Kočevje, the event marking the beginning of the public distribution and supply of electricity in Slovenia.
The historical use of electricity in Slovenia begins in Maribor, where the first electric light illuminated the steam mill in 1883. The beginning of electrification, however, is considered the year 1894, when the first public hydroelectric plant began operating on Sora River in Škofja Loka.
The main purpose of the hydroelectric plant in Škofja Loka, however, was not to provide electricity for public use but rather for the needs of a thread factory, which was also the producer of the energy it needed. The surplus of electricity was sold to the city government and could support about 40 electric bulbs.
The hydro power plant in Kočevje, which was established to deliver water and electricity to the citizens, beginning on today’s date in 1896, is therefore considered as the beginning of electrification of today’s Slovenia.
In comparison, in Ljubljana the first electric bulb did not get turned on until January 1, 1898.
The Ljubljana LGBT Film Festival is back for its 35th edition, officially starting Saturday, 23 November, and with events planned for Ptuj, Koper, Maribor, Bistrica ob Sotli, Idrija and Trst (aka Trieste, if you must), although the fun has already been going for more than week.
First put on back in 1984 as part of the Magnus Festival – back in the days of mystery VHS tapes showing films recorded from Britain’s Channel 4 to audiences who had no idea what was coming next – it’s the oldest LGBT film festival in Europe, as well as the oldest international film festival in Slovenia. As such it’s a valued part of the country’s cultural calendar, and a nice way to welcome in the festive season.
The list of films show include the following, and note that English and Slovenian subtitles will provided when needed
Film and video are the focus, but the programme has much more to offer, with panel discussions, readings, parties and so on. While the formal opening is 23 November, with an cocktail party hosted by Lady Galore at Kinoteka and then moving to Klub K4, the events have already begun and will continue until Sunday 1 December, World Aids Day.
Organised by ŠKUC and the Kinoteka (the Slovenian Cinemateque), along with Brane Mozetič, Jasmina Šepetavc, Luka Pieri, Miha Satler, Polona Černič, Simona Jerala and Suzana Tratnik, full details of the LGBT Film Festival programme can be found here, and there are also Facebook and Instagram pages.
All our stories with an LGBT focus are here
STA, 19 November 2019 - Slovenian basketball star Luka Dončić continues to break new ground in the NBA, having set a new Slovenian record in points scored. The 20-year-old passed Goran Dragić (40) on Monday evening by scoring 42 points in a win of his Dallas Mavericks against the Texas rival San Antonio Spurs.
In the 117:110 win for the Mavericks, Dončić also added 12 assists and 11 rebounds for what is already his sixth triple-double early in the new season.
Playing in his second year in the best basketball league in the world, the Slovenian became the second-youngest NBA player with a 40-point triple-double, trailing only LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dončić and James are the only players in the history of the league to manage the feat before turning 21.
By scoring 42 points, Dončić set a new Slovenian record for points, overtaking Goran Dragić and his career-high 40 points scored in February 2014, when he played for the Phoenix Suns.
Speaking to a reporter after the match, Dončić said that the "match was special, it's a rivalry", referring to the San Antonio Spurs, adding that "we always want to win every such game."
He said he had a dream during a pre-game nap that he would score 16 points in the first quarter. "And then I scored 17, so dreams don't come true," he said jokingly, while giving his teammates the credit for the win.
ESPN meanwhile quoted Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle as saying that "this guy can do anything he wants to on a basketball court. He's having one of those magical runs right now. It's a phenomenal thing to watch."
Dončić is actually almost averaging a triple-double in the first 12 games of the season, recording 28.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, for a player efficiency rating (PER) of 30.05, in which he is 4th in the league.
STA, 18 November 2019 - National grid operator ELES officially launched in Beričevo on Monday a high tech diagnostics and analytics centre that is meant to enable a systematic approach to energy infrastructure management.
The primary goals of the centre, whose costs so far have amounted to EUR 730,000, include the planning, construction, expansion, modification and maintenance of energy infrastructure, the head of the centre Uroš Kerin told the press.
By making use of the digital potential, the objective is to monitor the efficiency of the network in real time, optimise costs and also find optimal solution in crisis moments.
Kerin explained the energy sector was being affected by a number of new trends, including new energy sources, new technologies and digitalisation.
New players are emerging on the market that are no longer only using the network as a source of energy but as a means for activities while power production is no longer only passive.
"The network is getting older, which is why it will be necessary to think about modernisation and due to new players also about voltage changes," Kerin said.
The new diagnostics and analytics centre, which will bring together experts from various disciplines, will be of help as these decisions are adopted.
STA, 18 November 2019 - The Ljubljana city council has unanimously endorsed the construction of a long-awaited prison in the area of the Slovenian capital, which will enable the government to expand the country's crowded prison facilities.
The city council backed on Monday a decree on the municipal zoning plan which enables the government to build a men's prison in Dobrunje, along the eastern part of Ljubljana's ring road.
Slovenia’s Prisons are Overcrowded, But Custodial Sentences Short
The new facility will have room for 388 inmates and is to replace the prison in Povšetova Street in Ljubljana, the occupancy rate of which ranges from 110 to 120%.
The investment into the new facility, which could be built in a public-private partnership, is estimated at around EUR 68 million.
Justice Minister Andreja Katič said in a recent interview that the ministry hoped the prison's construction would begin in 2021.
The plans for a new prison have been long in the making as prison facilities for men have been overcrowded in recent years.
Slovenia’s Incarceration Rate Low, Jails Slightly Overcrowded, More Foreign Prisoners Last Year
A report by the Council of Europe released in April showed Slovenia's prisons were "slightly overcrowded" in 2018, as there were an average 100.5 inmates per 100 places available.
At the time, the Prison Administration said it had been trying to solve the problem by means of organisational measures, but noted a new prison would be the only long-term solution. It also said the occupancy rate this spring was 104%.
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:
Taiwanese diplomat sees room to grow relations
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and Taiwan do not have diplomatic ties, but this does not mean they cannot strengthen cooperation, Vanessa Shih of the Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Austria, told the STA. The 23-million nation provides great business opportunities for Slovenian companies, she believes. Shih expressed regret that she has only limited access to Slovenian authorities. She has had some contact with Slovenian government representatives but not complete access to ministries and government offices and believes that the Chinese embassy in Ljubljana is the likely reason for this situation.
Šarec: Slovenia no exception in terms of third-country immigrants
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is no exception when it comes to immigrants from third countries, it is "the same in some other parts of the EU", PM Marjan Šarec said in parliament as he answered an opposition MP's question about an alleged major rise in third-country immigrants in Slovenia. Zmago Jelinčič of the National Party (SNS) also warned about a consequent rise in social transfers claimed by foreigners. Šarec admitted some might abuse the permanent or temporary residence procedure to claim benefits, but stressed the state had been dealing with this issue for some time.
Refund initiative for foreign film productions showing promise
LJUBLJANA - A 25% refund incentive for foreign film productions choosing Slovenian locations, which was introduced in Slovenia in 2017, is already yielding results. The Slovenian Film Centre (SFC) said EUR 775,000 had been refunded for EUR 3.1 million in total production costs last year and that similar figures were expected this year. The first call, which was published in 2017 and enabled the drawing of funds for in 2018, attracted producers from Italy, the Philippines, Croatia, Serbia, Korea, the US and the UK, the SFC told the STA, explaining the productions ranged from large-scale to TV series.
Quantity of municipal waste increasing, recycling rate too
LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office warned that the quantity of municipal waste generated in Slovenia is increasing, standing at 495 kilos per capita, 13% more than in 2014. However, the rate of recycled municipal waste was also up between 2014 and 2017, rising by 22 percentage points. The quantity of municipal waste generated in households increased by 18% between 2014 and 2018, but the office is not surprised by the increase in the face of a consumer-oriented society.
Grid operator ELES launches high-tech analytics centre
DOL PRI LJUBLJANI - National grid operator ELES officially launched a high-tech diagnostics and analytics centre designed to provide a systematic approach to energy infrastructure management. The primary goals include the planing, construction, expansion, modification and maintenance of energy infrastructure, the head of the centre Uroš Kerin told the press. By making use of the digital potential, the objective is to monitor the efficiency of the network in real time, optimise costs and also find optimal solution in crisis moments.
Ljubljana city green-lights construction of new prison
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana city council unanimously endorsed a decree on the municipal zoning plan to allow the government to build a new men's prison in Dobrunje on the eastern outskirts of Ljubljana. The new facility will accommodate 388 inmates and is to replace the prison in Povšetova Street in Ljubljana, the occupancy rate of which ranges from 110 to 120%. The investment is estimated at around EUR 68 million. The Justice Ministry hopes construction could start in 2021.
Higher court annuls Electa Holding's simplified debt restructuring
LJUBLJANA - The Higher Court in Ljubljana annulled the simplified debt restructuring of Electa Holding, the partner company of the Electa group owned by the sons of Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković. Electa Holding's simplified debt restructuring was backed by the Ljubljana District Court in late-August, as the holding wanted to do away with EUR 7 million in debt. As a result, its creditors would get repaid only 5% of their claims by the end of 2021, which is only a fraction compared to a full-fledged debt restructuring. The same procedure was endorsed for another two companies from the group, Electa Inženiring and Electa Naložbe, with around EUR 29 million in total debt written off.
Slovenia one of safest countries for travellers
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world for travellers, faring very well in all three key indicators - security, medical risks and road safety, shows a risk world map for 2020 released by SOS International, an NGO. On a 1-5 scale for security, Slovenia places among only a handful of European countries with "insignificant" travel security risks alongside Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Greenland. The country also places highest in the category of medical risks.
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
In 1918, following the end of WWI, the Serbian army officer Stevan Šabić and some of the Serbian army troops that have been captured by Austro-Hungarians during the war made a stop in Ljubljana on their way to Serbia and prevented its plunder by retreating military gangs and its planned occupation by the advancing Italian forces. Lieutenant Colonel Švabić, having the highest rank in the land he found himself in, also prevented the capture and plunder of Trbovlje and some other Slovenian towns.
In the chaos that followed the end of the WWI the newly established State of Serbs Croats and Slovenes (a month later the state embraced the Serbian king becoming a Kingdom itself) was not yet recognised and did not have its own army presence in all of the territories it claimed, especially in Slovenia, which used to be part of the now defeated Austrian Empire. With no troops present, the land was open for post-war looting, violence and changing of geopolitical circumstances which could potentially affect the new border agreements which were soon to follow.
Post-war Hungarian military violence against the Slovenian majority population in Prekmurje ended with the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, where Hungary was forced to sign the Treaty of Trianon, which granted people the right to self-determination and allowed Prekmurje to join the Kingdom of SCS.
In Maribor, where on October 30, 1918 the German city council declared lower Styria (Štajerska) as part of the Austrian territory, General Rudolf Maister, who managed to mobilise 3,000 troops, disarmed the German guard on November 23, then continued a military campaign for Slovenian Styria and Carinthia.
On the Western border, however, things were a bit more complicated. The “people’s self-determination” principle that guided the Treaty of Trianon of the Paris Peace Conference was forgotten here in favour of the secret 1915 Treaty of London, which promised Italy large territorial gains in case of the Entente Powers’ victory. The controversial treaty became public after Lenin publicly denounced it in 1917.
Nevertheless, about 1/3 of the lands where Slovenians lived went to Italy, including the entire Southern and Northern littoral right up to the peak of Triglav. And in the post-war chaos with the central part of the country undefended, Italians turned their eyes on the capital, Ljubljana, as well.
On November 6, 1918, a Lieutenant Colonel of the Serbian army, Stevan Švabić, and other Serbian prisoners of war made a stop in Ljubljana after being released from Austrian war camps. According to Švabić’s account, Ljubljana train station was in a complete disorder: there was a train with 15 cars full of armed Hungarians on a nearby track and several other trains with armed militias present at the station. Immediately after his arrival at the station he was already being looked for by Adolf Ravnikar, sent to find help by the city authorities. Ravnikar explained the situation as alarming: out of control Austrian soldiers were returning from the front, while the Italian army followed them. If immediate help was not found, gangs would ransack the city and empty the military depots.
Understanding the urgency, Švabić gathered his troops to restore some basic order in the city, while prepared to address the problem of the advancing Italian army which had by November 10 already reached Logatec and was heading towards Vrhnika.
By November 14, Švabič had about 2,000 men and probably got a permission from Zagreb, to send the Italian commanding officer in Vrhnika an ultimatum not to continue the advance of the Italian troops further to Ljubljana, as he would have find “use of weapons on allied forces most regretful”.
The ultimatum, which was based on a pretext that the allied forces, the Serbs, had already taken control of the surrendered Austrian territories, stirred a lot of confusion on the Italian side, which must have concluded that perhaps the Serbian army had indeed managed to reach that far north at such a short notice. Furthermore, additional pressure on the Italians to retreat came from the French, who were called to do so by the Serbs.
In the days that followed, the Italian army retreated from Vrhnika while only six days after his ultimatum Stevan Švabić was called to Belgrade, probably due to a presumed violation of the chain of command by signing his name on the document which threatened an allied country with the use of weapons.
In 1930 Stevan Švabić was awarded a deserving citizen medal by the City of Ljubljana and two streets in Slovenia are named after him: Švabićeva ulica in Trnovo, Ljubljana and Švabićeva ulica in Vrhnika.
