* Results of 1st stage of Tour of Slovenia: 1 Pascal Ackermann (GER/Bora-Hansgrohe) 4:04:58 2 Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/Dimension Data) 3 Simone Consonni (ITA/Team Emirates) 4 Luka Mezgec (SLO/Michelton-Scott) 5 Andrea Vendrame (ITA/Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) 6 Rui Oliveira (POR/UAE Emirates) 7 Grega Bole (SLO/Bahrain-Merida) 8 Jeremy Leveau (FRA/Delko Marseille) 9 Kristian Sbaragli (ITA/Israel Cycling Academy) 10 Umberto Marengo (ITA/Neri Sottoli) 11 Marko Kump (SLO/Adria Mobil) ... 13 Andi Bajc (SLO/Felbermayr) 17 Tadej Pogačar (SLO/UAE Emirates) 20 Jan Polanc (SLO/UAE Emirates) same time - Overall standings: 1 Pascal Ackermann (GER/Bora-Hansgrohe) 4:04:58 2 Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/Dimension Data) + 0:04 3 Simone Consonni (ITA/Team Emirates) 0:06 4 Diego Ulissi (ITA/UAE Emirates) 0:07 5 Aljaž Jarc (SLO/Adria Mobil) 6 Matteo Busato (ITA/Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) 0:08 7 Matthias Krizek (AUT/Felbrmayer) 0:09 8 Luka Mezgec (SLO/Mitchelton-Scott) 0:10 9 Andrea Vendrame (ITA/Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) 10 Rui Oliveira (POR/UAE Emirates) 11 Grega Bole (SLO/Bahrain-Merida) ... 15 Marko Kump (SLO/Adria Mobil) 17 Andi Bajc (SLO/Felbermayr) 21 Tadej Pogačar (SLO/UAE Emirates) 24 Jan Polanc (SLO/UAE Emirates) same time
News
20 Jun 2019, 12:04 PM
The Slovenian Minister for Infrastructure, Alenka Bratušek, has said the government has developed contingency plans in case Adria Airways ceases operations. The comments came following a horror week for the national carrier during which it has been in the media spotlight for cancelled, delayed and merged flights, as well as financial mismanagement by its owners, lack of staff, unpaid compensation claims, the alleged involvement of its former managers in the collapse of Switzerland's Darwin Airline, and suspicions its yet-to-be-published financial report for 2018 does not reflect the company's actual financial state. Commenting on the situation, Ms Bratušek said the government has no means to aid Adria until 2021, as the company was a recipient of state funds in 2011. Under European Union regulation, the government is barred from providing further financial assistance to the airline until a ten-year deadline has passed.
The full story can be read here.
20 Jun 2019, 11:28 AM
STA, 19 June 2019 - Abanka, Slovenia's third largest bank, will be sold to NKBM bank, owned by US fund Apollo, with the value of the deal to be disclosed on Thursday as the sales agreement is to be signed.
The decision was announced by Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) after the supervisory board endorsed the management board's proposal on Wednesday to sell Abanka to NKBM as the best bidder.
SSH will provide more information about the sales procedure, including the value of the transaction, after the contract is signed. The signing is scheduled for tomorrow.
A merger between Abanka and NKBM would create a bank with combined total assets of EUR 8.71 billion or a 22.5% market share. Slovenia's largest bank, NLB, has total assets of EUR 8.81 billion.
Speaking to reporters, SSH chief supervisor Karmen Dietner said that the selected bidder had not been given any guarantees for potential negative consequences of lawsuits pertaining to the 2013 bailout.
SSH management board chairman Igor Kržan said that the sales process was rather long, but also transparent and competitive. "These are two key factors, if we want a successful sales procedure."
Asked whether the proceeds from the sale would make up for the state's capital injection in the bank, at EUR 781 million, Dietner said: "If we add to the purchase money all the debts that are being sold by the Bank Assets Management Company, I hope we'll reach or exceed the state aid."
Unofficial information available to the STA indicates that NKBM as well as the Hungarian bank OTP offered between EUR 450 million and 500 million for the bank in the final stage of bidding.
The newspaper Finance cited unofficial information suggesting the purchase money was just below 90% of the share's book value or just over EUR 500 million. The purchase money includes the takeover premium.
Neither NKBM nor OTP bank would comment on SHH's decision as yet, with the NKBM management saying it would "wait for the seller's written confirmation".
Dietner would not comment on Prime Minister Marjan Šarec's tweet on 7 June that SSH should "seriously reconsider continuing the sale of Abanka. In particular to questionable funds."
However, she said: "We have thought over the decision thoroughly, we have taken a little bit of extra time, having deferred the session from Monday. The decision is well grounded."
Responding to SSH's decision today, Šarec's office issued a statement saying that with the sale of Abanka and conclusion of NLB's privatisation certain commitments to the European Commission would cease.
"This means the lifting of major restrictions on operations of the two banks, which is vital for their competitiveness and further development," the PM's office said.
Slovenia pledged to fully privatise Abanka by the end of June 2019, and to sell 75% minus one share in NLB bank by the end of 2019 in exchange for the European Commission clearing state aid to both banks in 2013.
SSH today sold the remaining 10% of NLB shares to institutional investors for EUR 109.5 million after a 65% state stake in the bank was sold for EUR 669.5m in an initial public offering last year.
Šarec's office underscored that SSH had taken the decisions on the two banks independently in accordance with its powers and based on the strategy of state asset management, passed by parliament in 2015.
A similar reaction came from the Finance Ministry, which said that 10% of the purchase money for Abanka would be earmarked for the demographic reserve fund and 90% to reduce government debt.
Abanka is the last major bank still in state ownership after NKBM was sold to Apollo (80%) and the EBRD (20%) in 2015, and following the partial privatisation of NLB last year.
To finalise the acquisition of Abanka, NKBM will need to get clearance from the competition watchdog and the European Central Bank, which needs between four and five months on average to issue its decision.
Since NKBM is owned by Apollo, which acquired the Maribor-based bank in a privatisation required as a condition for the approval of state aid to the bank, regulatory approval procedures are not expected to take long.
NKBM and Abanka have 2,300 employees and around 100 branches between them, plus 330 NKBM counters at post offices around the country.
Abanka saw its net profit decline by 27% in the first quarter of the year to EUR 18.6 million. Total assets increased by just over 2% to EUR 3.8 billion at the end of March.
NKBM posted a group net profit of EUR 72.5 million for 2018. Its total assets as of the end of 2018 amounted to close to EUR 5 billion.
20 Jun 2019, 09:16 AM
STA, 19 June 2019 - German Pascal Ackermann of the German team Bora-Hansgrohe is the winner of the first stage of the 26th Tour of Slovenia cycling race between Ljubljana and Rogaška Slatina on Wednesday. The stage saw a massive sprint at the end, with the German winning the 171 km stage with a time of 4 hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds.
Germany's national champion was followed by two Italian cyclists - Giacomo Nizzolo, a member of Team Dimension Data, who finished second and Simone Consonni, who currently rides for UAE Team Emirates, in the third place.
Ackermann also won the second and fifth stages of the 2019 Giro d'Italia, becoming the first German rider to win the points classification and the best sprinter of this year's Italian race.
Luka Mezgec of Mitchelton-Scott in fourth place was the best among Slovenian cyclists participating in this year's Tour of Slovenia. He initiated the finishing sprint but then lagged behind the victorious trio.
Ackerman, who won the tenth stage win for Germany in Slovenia's prime road cycling race, said that "the start was quite easy, while the things got serious some 60 kilometres before the finish. I'm happy that I made it. Thanks to the team."
The 25-year-old admitted that it was the most difficult sprint finish in his life, as he needed to start sprinting 500 metres ahead of the finish line. "I had to start early. It was not easy."
Almost 130 cyclists started the 808.5-km, five-day race in Ljubljana at noon today.
This year's Tour of Slovenia does not feature Slovenia's best cyclist Primož Roglič, as the race's two-time winner, including last year, is taking a break after recently finishing third overall in the Giro D'Italia.
The race, which is broadcast live by Eurosport and the Slovenian public broadcaster TV Slovenija, will continue tomorrow in Maribor and end on 23 June in Novo Mesto.
The route provides opportunities for sprinters in the opening and final stages, while the remaining stages, in particular no. 3 and 4, will require some serious climbing power.
20 Jun 2019, 02:14 AM
Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow 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
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Abanka to be sold to US fund Apollo
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Sovereign Holding announced that Abanka, Slovenia's third largest bank, will be sold to NKBM bank, owned by US fund Apollo, with the value of the deal to be disclosed on Thursday as the sales agreement is to be signed. A merger between Abanka and NKBM would create a bank with combined total assets of EUR 8.71 billion or a 22.5% market share. Slovenia's largest bank, NLB, has total assets of EUR 8.81 billion. The decision to sell was regretted by most parties. While some see the sale as inevitable under the EU's state aid rules, several including the Left and the SocDems, believe it should have been prevented.
Ten percent of NLB bank sold for EUR 109.5 million
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding sold 10% of the NLB bank to institutional investors for EUR 109.5 million as it wrapped up its privatisation, leaving the state owning a controlling stake of 25% plus one share. SSH made the announcement after selling shares and global depositary receipts equivalent to almost two million shares at a price of EUR 54.75 per share and EUR 10.95 per GDR. The price is well below market price: NLB closed at EUR 58.20 on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange yesterday, while GDRs, which are traded in London, closed at EUR 11.33.
Tug-of-war between union and defence minister enters new stage
LJUBLJANA - A soldiers' trade union filed a criminal complaint against Defence Minister Karl Erjavec and brought a lawsuit against him, as the tug-of-war between the two sides continues over the situation in the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) and Erjavec's alleged false statements. The criminal complaint accuses the minister of alleged violations of trade union legislation, of abuse of office and negligence at work. The private lawsuit was meanwhile filed over alleged insult, defamation and self-willed exercise of rights, the Trade Union of Soldiers (SVS) said.
Slovenia still trailing EU average in consumption and GDP per capita
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenia remained below the EU average in 2018 when in comes to indicators of actual individual consumption (AIC) per capita and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, reaching 77% and 87% of the average, respectively, according to Eurostat. While the highest consumption was recorded in Luxembourg (32% above the average) and Germany (20%), Slovenia was among the 13 countries where the AIC was up to 25% below the European average. Slovenia's performance relative to the average improved in 2018 to 87% from 85% in 2017.
Banka Slovenije notes increasing risks to stability of financial system
LJUBLJANA - The latest Banka Slovenije Financial Stability Review released by the central bank speaks of increasing risks to the stability of the country's financial system. The key risks factors include uncertainties in the international environment as well as developments on the housing market. Speaking to the press about the macroeconomic risks, vice governor Jožef Bradeško highlighted slowed down GDP growth in Slovenia and even more so the rising number of potential negative scenarios in the international environment.
Klavdija Kutnar new chancellor of Primorska University
KOPER - Klavdija Kutnar has been endorsed as the new chancellor of the University of Primorska after she was elected to the post last month. She will succeed Dragan Marušič on 23 November as the fourth chancellor at the helm of the Koper-based university. Her formal endorsement came on Wednesday as the university's senate discussed the election outcome and unanimously appointed her for a four-year term. The dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and IT was the only candidate for the job when the university went about electing new head on 23 May.
Slovenian teachers more experienced, older than OECD average
LJUBLJANA - The 2018 OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) on teachers' working conditions and learning environments indicates that Slovenian teachers are more experienced than the OECD average but also older, which points to the issue of the ageing teaching workforce. The OECD study conducted in 48 countries, and in Slovenia it included 136 primary and 122 secondary schools. The results show that the country's teachers focus on clearly explaining the subject matter, Barbara Japelj Pavešić, the Slovenian TALIS coordinator, told the press.
Slovenia urged to declare climate emergency
LJUBLJANA - Over 40 non-governmental organisations urged the Slovenian government to declare a national climate emergency and make tackling climate change a priority. "We are not going to resolve the climate crisis if we do not treat it as a crisis," said Gaja Brecelj, the director of the NGO Umanotera. As she presented the appeal to the government, Brecelj noted Slovenia was warming twice as fast as Earth on average, which meant it has a vested interest in crafting an ambitious plan to tackle the climate crisis.
Slovenia's Marand to be involved in Malta's e-health
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian IT company Marand has won the Maltese Health Ministry's tender to implement a data platform for the national electronic health records as part of healthcare digitalisation in the country. Marand said that its solution, called Better Platform, would make it possible to establish national database of patient clinical data. The co-called national health spine will store the population's health data such as vaccinations taken, allergies, past diagnoses, history of surgeries and the current list of the drugs the patient is taking.
Slovenians quite distrustful of vaccines
LONDON, UK - The latest global study on attitude towards immunisation shows that 13% of Slovenians believe that vaccines are not safe, almost double the world average. The majority of Slovenians believe that vaccines are safe (70%), while 80% think that vaccines are efficient. Only 8% do not trust their efficiency, according to data released by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Globally, 79% consider vaccination safe, while 14% are undecided. In terms of vaccine efficiency, the shares are similar.
First whistleblower portal launched in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - The first web portal for whistleblowers in Slovenia has been launched. Accessible at žvižgač.si and operated by Oštro, a centre for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region, the portal has been developed under the supervision of Anuška Delić, a Slovenian investigative journalist of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). It will allow whistleblowers to upload files, documents, photographs, data, videos an clues. The forwarded data will be checked by Oštro's team of investigative journalists.
Pascal Ackermann wins Tour of Slovenia first stage
Ljubljana, 19 June (STA) - Pascal Ackermann of the German team Bora-Hansgrohe is the winner of the first stage of the 26th Tour of Slovenia cycling race between Ljubljana and Rogaška Slatina on Wednesday. The stage saw a massive sprint at the end, with the German winning the 171 km stage with a time of 4 hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds. Germany's national champion was followed by two Italian cyclists - Giacomo Nizzolo, a member of Team Dimension Data, who finished second and Simone Consonni, who currently rides for UAE Team Emirates, in the third place.
Photo exhibition on hidden costs of lithium on display at Ljubljana Castle
LJUBLJANA - An exhibition by one of Slovenia's most acclaimed photographers Matjaž Krivic, which explores a much neglected topic of lithium as a driving force of not only batteries but also of geopolitical change, will open today along the Ljubljana Castle avenue. The exhibition chronicles the value chain of this rare element, which includes investment and searches in the US, mining in Bolivia, the manufacturing of batteries and cars in China, as well as efforts in Norway, a small country rich in oil, to electrify all of its transport, wrote the organisers.
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
19 Jun 2019, 17:18 PM
STA, 19 June 2019 - The latest global study on attitudes towards immunisation shows that 13% of Slovenians believe that vaccines are not safe, almost double the world average.
The majority of Slovenians believe that vaccines are safe (70%), while 80% think that vaccines are efficient. Only 8% do not trust their efficiency, according to data released by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Globally, 79% consider vaccination safe, while 14% are undecided. In terms of vaccine efficiency, the shares are similar - 84% agree that vaccines are efficient, 12% are undecided and 5% do not believe they work.
Confidence is at the lowest point in France, where 33% do not trust vaccination, while people in Bangladesh appear to be most trustful, with 97% of respondents there considering vaccines safe.
Among regions, confidence is lowest in Western Europe, where 22% believe that vaccines are not safe. On the other hand, the share of those who do not believe vaccines work is the highest in Eastern Europe - 17%.
The survey, which involved more than 140,000 respondents in 144 countries, was conducted by the Gallup World Poll institute for the British NGO Wellcome between April and December 2018.
Imran Khan of the Wellcome institute said that people from countries with many infectious diseases tended to trust in immunisation more, which was probably the result of seeing the consequences of non-vaccination first-hand, French news agency AFP reported.
According to him, the differences are bigger than expected, with more developed countries recording higher levels of mistrust in vaccination due to more developed healthcare systems, slimmer chances of getting infected or dying as a result of non-vaccination, and the efforts of anti-vaccination groups.
The full report on how the world feels about science and health can be read here
19 Jun 2019, 14:46 PM
Maribor’s Festival Lent is one of the largest and oldest open-air festivals in Europe, and it returns to Slovenia’s second city for the 26th time this week bringing, music, art, culture, creativity, food and laughter to the medieval Lent district, the historic squares and streets of the Old Town, the city park and even on the floating main stage on the River Drava.
Note - all videos are from 2018
For ten days, from 20 to 29 June, visitors can enjoy a wealth of entertainment that resists easy summary, with live music from all genres, theatrical performances for young and old, DJ sets, a chess festival, sporting events, art exhibitions and workshops, a culinary programme, films, dance and much, much more, drawing performers and audiences from all over the world.
The full schedule can be seen here and is worth clicking around, as along with further details of each of the hundreds of participants you’ll find videos showing what to expect. You can also follow the programme on Facebook, while the organisers’ have selected their own highlights here if you’d like some more guidance.
In short, Festival Lent is one of the true highlights of the summer – and the year – in the Slovenian cultural calendar, with something for everyone on every day, making the 20 to 29 June (2019) the ideal time to visit Maribor.
19 Jun 2019, 14:19 PM
STA, 19 June 2019 - Abanka, Slovenia's third largest bank, said Wednesday it saw its net profit decline 27% in the first quarter of the year to EUR 18.6 million on plunging non-interest revenue and higher net write-downs and provisions.
Net interest revenue increased by 2% year-on-year to EUR 15.1 million, but non-interest revenue plunged over 40% in the same period to EUR 15.4 million.
Abanka says the decline of non-interest revenue is the result of the impact a sale of non-performing loans had on its balance sheet in 2018.
Net write-downs and provisions almost doubled to EUR 5.6 million. Nevertheless, the bank reduced non-performing loans by EUR 12.7 million.
The share of non-performing loans contracted by 0.7 percentage points to 3.7% from the end of last year according to European Banking Authority methodology.
The bank's total assets rose by 2% from the end of 2018, to EUR 3.8 billion, making for a market share measured by total assets of 9.6%, the bank said on Wednesday.
Abanka released the results just hours before Slovenian Sovereign Holding is due to decide on the buyer for the state's 100% stake in the bank.
19 Jun 2019, 13:16 PM
STA, 18 June 2019 - Elektro Ljubljana, the largest of the five companies managing Slovenia's electricity distribution network, posted sales of EUR 103 million for 2018, up from roughly EUR 98 million in the year before. Net profit increased from EUR 14 million to EUR 17 million.
Profit before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 48m, with value added per employee, at EUR 95,000, placing Elektro Ljubljana in the top tier of Slovenia's most productive companies.
"This was the most successful business year for us," director Andrej Ribič told the press on Tuesday.
The company invested EUR 37.5 million in the distribution network, the highest amount in the last ten-year cycle, but Ribič said much higher investments were needed if Slovenia is to transition to a low-carbon economy.
The five distribution companies get EUR 123 million in network fees per year for investments. According to Ribič, at least another EUR 50 million would be needed every year.
"Some additional funding will have to be secured if we are to build what we have to build," he said.
19 Jun 2019, 11:30 AM
STA, 19 June 2019 - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) has sold 10% of NLB bank to institutional investors for EUR 109.5 million as it wrapped up the privatisation procedure, leaving the state owning a controlling stake of 25% plus one share.
SSH made the announcement Wednesday after selling shares and global depositary receipts equivalent to almost two million shares at a price of EUR 54.75 per Share and EUR 10.95 per GDR.
The price is well below market price: NLB closed at EUR 58.2 on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange yesterday, while GDRs, which are traded in London, closed at EUR 11.33.
The transaction will be settled on 21 June, which means that the state will also get the dividends incumbent on the shares, for total proceeds from the 10% stake of EUR 123.8 million.
SSH said the buyers were high-quality institutional investors who will be "ensuring [the bank's] competitiveness and its further development in the future".
Igor Kržan, chairman of SSH, said he was satisfied that "one of the largest and the most demanding privatisation process in Slovenia" had been brought to a successful close.
Since restrictions that NLB has had to operate under due to state aid will now no longer apply, it will "again be able to operate in the domestic market and in the markets of the SE Europe with all of its capacities and start to compete with its competitors on more equal footing".
"NLB remains an independent Slovenian financial institution which will continue to support the development of the Slovenian economy and will keep representing an important proportion of the portfolio of state's capital assets managed by SDH," he said.
The banks aid it would now be able to compete at home and abroad on a level playing field. It will be allowed to have a leasing business again, and invest without limitations in digitalisation and the development of new products.
"As of New Year's when the ban on mergers and acquisitions will be lifted as well, NLB, a regional specialist, will be able to more actively seek opportunities to strengthen its position as a systemic player on our markets," chairman Blaž Brodnjak was quoted as saying.
The transaction completes a long privatisation process which started in earnest in 2018 after years of fits and starts.
Slovenia nationalised the bank after spending EUR 1.55 billion bailing it out at the end of 2015. Since then the state has earned roughly EUR 1.2 billion in dividends and proceeds from the sale of the bank's equity.
19 Jun 2019, 09:50 AM
STA, 18 June 2019 - The annual summit of small business, hosted by the Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS) in Brdo pri Kranju on Tuesday, was marked by optimism but also calls that the demands of what is the backbone of the Slovenian economy need to be met.
Small businesses account for 98% of the Slovenian economy in terms of the number of companies and 54% in terms of the number of staff.
Micro and small companies, and sole traders generate 34.5% of all revenue and 22.5% of all Slovenia's exports. They contribute 40.8% to the total added value generated.
This is why Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said today's summit should be called the "summit of the core of the Slovenian economy".
"The number of staff increased by 30,000 last year compared to the year before, according to data by AJPES (the agency for public legal records). These companies generated 9% more revenue that the year before and their revenue on foreign markers jumped by 10% to almost EUR 40 billion.
"Net added value per employee has also been rising, going up by 2% to EUR 44,415 last year, and the average wage per employee also increased," Počivalšek noted.
He said productivity would be crucial for further growth, along with innovation and digitalisation.
The head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS), Boštjan Gorjup, pointed to the standing demands of small businesses, noting the GZS would continue to strive for their realisation.
They include a call for a stable business environment free of red tape, no tax on annual bonuses and reforms of the public sector, and the health and education systems.
He also said that most small businesses still struggled with staff shortages.
Gorjup noted that some progress had already been made in terms of lower taxation of holiday allowances and performance bonuses, and cutting of red tape. According to him, business will respond to this with better business results.
19 Jun 2019, 02:40 AM
Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow 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
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Cerar regrets no decision on EU talks for N Macedonia, Albania
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar strongly regretted the EU had yet again postponed a decision on launching accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. If there is no breakthrough in the autumn, potential negative political consequences will be largely blamed on the EU, he said as he spoke to the press during a session of EU ministers for foreign and EU affairs. Cerar reiterated Slovenia's strong support for a prompt launch of accession talks for both countries, which he believes should by no means be put off again in the autumn.
Cerar: Chances for deal on top EU posts this week slim
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - There is only a faint possibility for EU leaders to reach a comprehensive deal on top EU offices as they meet for a summit this week, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar said as he spoke to the press after a Luxembourg meeting at which EU ministers discussed preparations for the 20-21 June summit. Slovenia supports a swift package deal which would result in a good distribution of key top offices among the main political groupings, taking into account the candidates' expertise and a geographical, demographic and gender balance.
Cerar: Ruling on German motorway tolls proves law must prevail
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar sees the EU court's ruling on Germany's motorway toll scheme as proof of the European Court of Justice's (ECJ) independence. He also believes it bodes well for Slovenia's lawsuit against Croatia for its non-implementation of the 2017 border arbitration decision. Today's ruling shows that at the highest level of EU law, there is an independent judicial institution which can decide against a decision taken by a big country or against the European Commission's policies, Cerar said, speaking on the sidelines of an EU ministerial.
Opposition critical of Turkey's status downgrade
LJUBLJANA - Branko Grims, an MP for the opposition Democrats (SDS), criticised the government for a recent decision to remove Turkey from the list of safe countries of origin, arguing that this "irresponsible solo" move would have a negative impact on Slovenia and its position in the EU. He said Slovenia started unilaterally eroding the EU-Turkey agreement, which would have long-term consequences for the country's position in the EU because this was a departure from coordinated EU policies. Data available on the website of the European Commission show Slovenia is not the only EU member whose safe list does not contain Turkey.
Proposal to reform EU commissioner appointment voted down
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted down a legislative motion tabled by the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) that would give newly elected MEPs a major role in the process of appointing Slovenia's candidate for the European Commission. While the existing law stipulates that the nominee is put forward by the government at the proposal of the prime minister, the NSi wanted to make the nomination conditional on approval by at least five of Slovenia's eight MEPs. The proposal was seen as an attempt to give conservative parties a role in the process during the term of a liberal government.
Procedure under way to offload further 10% of NLB
LJUBLJANA - After selling a 65% stake in Slovenia's largest bank in an initial public offering of shares last year, the state now launched the procedure to sell a further 10% of NLB shares to qualified investors. Slovenian Sovereign Holding announced it had launched a proposed placement of up to 1,999,999 ordinary NLB shares, representing 10% of the bank's existing share capital minus one share, "by way of an accelerated bookbuild process to certain institutional investors in the form of shares and global depositary receipts representing shares". The state needs to reduce its stake to 25% plus one share under commitments given to the European Commission as it approved a EUR 1.56 billion state aid for the bank in late 2013.
Construction workers' federation urges EU Commission to investigate Slovenia
BRUSSELS, Belgium/LJUBLJANA - The European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) said it had submitted a request to the European Commission at the end of May to investigate Slovenia's regulation of temporary posting of workers to other EU members. Between 2010 and 2016, the number increased by almost 600%, said a press release. "Slovenia has built a money-spinning business model based on social fraud and worker exploitation. This is totally unacceptable and should be stopped at once," said EFBWW president Dietmar Schäfers.
EU urging Slovenia to step up its energy and climate targets
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission released the results of its assessment of member states' draft plans to implement national energy and climate strategies by 2030. It noted there was still room for improvement across the board and urged EU countries, including Slovenia, to be more ambitious in setting their targets. It specifically urged Slovenia to increase its efforts in terms of renewables, and describe in more detail ways in which it aims to meet the 2030 target.
Lawyer Rok Čeferin appointed Constitutional Court judge
LJUBLJANA - Rok Čeferin, a high-profile lawyer from one of Slovenia's best known law firms, was appointed a Constitutional Court judge, to take over at the end of September for nine years. He was endorsed in a secret ballot with 49 in favour and 32 against. Čeferin said the appointment was a great honour but also a big responsibility. He is seen as qualified for the job, but some conservatives raised concern that by advocating curbing hate speech he could undermine the freedom of speech. The opposition Democrats (SDS) said some of his statements showed that by reinterpreting the article about the freedom of speech, he could undermine the country's democratic order.
Left's defence motion rejected in parliament
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Left-sponsored proposal to give parliament more say in deploying Slovenian troops abroad was rejected in parliament in a 73:10 vote. The Left believes this would enhance transparency and the democratic nature of decision making, but Defence Minister Karl Erjavec said the government was against addressing the issue partially. It would like to discuss it as part of broader changes to the defence act. Erjavec's view was echoed by MPs from all coalition parties and two oppostion parties. However, the Left had indicated it could peg its support for Erjavec in Friday's no-confidence vote in parliament to the coalition's support for the bill.
Mojca Prelesnik reappointed information commissioner
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly reappointed Mojca Prelesnik, 50, information commissioner for another five-year term in a 45:6 vote. She will start serving her second term on 17 July. Prelesnik, who was the only candidate for the post after journalist Rajko Gerič pulled out last month, was backed by a majority of factions. She had been nominated by President Borut Pahor as a highly qualified candidate that meets all the requirements for the post.
Peter Golob new National Electoral Commission head
LJUBLJANA - Peter Golob was appointed the president of the National Electoral Commission (DVK) in a 63:0 vote in parliament. Supreme Court judge Golob, so far DVK deputy president, will take over a day after the publication of formal notification of the outcome of May's EU election in Slovenia. He will succeed long-serving Anton Gašper Frantar, who was relieved of his duties because, having turned 70, he retired as judge as of 2019.
Small businesses optimistic about challenges ahead
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The annual summit of small business, hosted by the Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS), was marked by optimism but also calls that the demands of what is the backbone of the Slovenian economy need to be met. In his address, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said the summit should be called the "summit of the core of the Slovenian economy", as small businesses make up 98% of all Slovenian companies and employ 54% of workers.
Šarec not victim of identity theft, but fake profile abuse
LJUBLJANA - PM Marjan Šarec's Facebook profile has not been hacked, however a fake profile has been created on the messaging app Messenger, Šarec's office explained after Šarec told his Facebook followers earlier in the day that his identity had been hijacked. The Ljubljana Police Department said it had not received any complaint or motion for prosecution in connection to the matter. Such acts are prosecuted only at the request of the injured party.
Elektro Ljubljana exceeds EUR 100m revenue mark in 2018
LJUBLJANA - Elektro Ljubljana, the largest of the five companies managing Slovenia's electricity distribution network, posted sales of EUR 103 million for 2018, up from roughly EUR 98 million in 2017. Net profit increased from EUR 14 million to EUR 17 million. EBITDA amounted to EUR 48m, with value added per employee, at EUR 95,000, placing the company in the top tier of Slovenia's most productive companies. Director Andrej Ribič said 2018 was its most successful business year.
SID Banka issues EUR 200 million bond
LJUBLJANA - SID Banka, the Slovenian development and export bank, said it issued a EUR 200 million bond in international markets. The funds will be invested into upgrading the economy's competitive edge and in the country's sustainable development. The bond was offered to a closed group of institutional investors, and demand surpassed EUR 290 million. 46% of the buyers were foreign investors.
Experts call for differentiation between hate speech and free speech
LJUBLJANA - The participants of a debate on hate speech urged the authorities and public to be constantly alert to instances of hate speech and report problematic content. They shared the view that hate speech should not be condoned as the freedom of speech. The debate Hate Speech - Local Responses to a Global Threat was hosted by the online complaint hotline Spletno Oko (Online Eye), which accepts anonymous complaints about online hate speech and is part of the Safer Internet Centre, coordinated by the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences.
Croatia-bound railway in SE Slovenia in for revival
NOVO MESTO - A deal was signed paving the way for the revitalisation of a 100-year-old cross-border railway infrastructure connecting Ljubljana with border towns in south-eastern Slovenia and further with Croatia. The agreement on cooperation was signed by representatives of nine Slovenian municipalities, including Ljubljana, and Croatia's Karlovac. The project will be coordinated by the Novo Mesto Development Centre. The municipalities will contribute more than EUR 100,000 for the project in the next couple of years.
Ljubljana football club on sale, talks under way with Italian businessman
LJUBLJANA - Olimpija Ljubljana, the runner up of the last Slovenian football premier league season, is reportedly in the process of being sold to an Italian businessman. According to sports paper Ekipa SN, Olimpija's chairman Milan Mandarić is looking to sell the club for at least EUR 6 million. The Serbian-American tycoon who also owned England's Portsmouth, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday in the past, bought the Ljubljana club from Slovenian banana wholesaler Izet Rastoder in 2015, reportedly for EUR 4 million. The potential new owner is Italian businessman Gabriele Nardin.
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