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:

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.

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

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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:

Matjaž Merkan steps down as CEO of Telekom Slovenije

LJUBLJANA - Matjaž Merkan, the chairman and CEO of the state-owned telecoms incumbent Telekom Slovenije, resigned after less than two months on the job effective immediately. The resignation, submitted at a supervisory board session, comes after days of media reports that Merkan was on his way out. Radio Slovenija said he would step down after refusing to launch an inquiry into his predecessor Rudolf Skobe, whose tenure has been in the spotlight after Telekom has been ordered by an arbitration tribunal to pay millions to the Greek Antenna Group, which wants to exit a media joint venture.

All clear for repatriation of Slovenians from Venezuela

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted an action plan that lays the groundwork for accepting persons of Slovenian descent who have asked for repatriation from Venezuela. A total of EUR 1.2 million has been set aside for a project that has been months in the making. The Office for Slovenians Abroad has so far received 17 requests for a total of 53 individuals, while the money covers a maximum of 70 persons over the 15-month validity of the repatriation status, State Secretary Olga Belec told the press about the "pioneering project". Official data show 335 Slovenian citizens live in Venezuela, with another several hundred who are of Slovenian stock but do not have citizenship.

Insurer Triglav's net profit up 1% in first nine months

LJUBLJANA - Zavarovalnica Triglav, Slovenia's largest insurer, said it had posted group net profit of EUR 59.1 million for January-September, a 1% year-on-year increase. Gross written premiums rose by a tenth to EUR 905.5 million. Premium growth was recorded in all three insurance segments and in most group markets, with non-life insurance premiums up by 11% and health insurance premiums rising by 22%. Life and pension insurance premiums grew by a more modest 2%. Claims payouts remained constrained, rising by just 2% year-on-year to EUR 505.5 million.

Bidding for Divača-Koper port rail track open until 20 December

LJUBLJANA - 2TDK, the state-owned company managing the construction of the new rail track between the port of Koper and the Divača hub, announced a two-stage tender process for the EUR 1bn-plus project. Bids are scheduled to be opened on 20 December and, absent major issues with appeals, construction could start in the second half of 2020. 2TDK director Marko Brezigar said that two separate calls for bids are to be published in the coming days, one pertaining to the Divača-Črni Kal section of the rail track and one to the Črni Kal-Koper part. 2TDK moreover wants to first examine the competences of the bidders and only then start discussing prices.

Minister Pivec challenging Erjavec for DeSUS leadership

LJUBLJANA - Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec announced for the STA that she would run for the leader of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) at the election congress in January, thus challenging DeSUS's long-standing leader Karl Erjavec, the defence minister, to fight for the top position. Pivec believes that she could provide new strategies and perspectives as well as a different approach to leading the coalition party. Responding to the challenge, Erjavec said DeSUS was a democratic party and that every member was free to bid for the top post. The congress will be held on 17 January, with the deadline for bids being set on Friday. Apart from Erjavec and Pivec, other names have come up as possible candidates vying for the DeSUS top position as well.

Speaker may urge govt to declare climate crisis

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly hosted a debate on climate change that encouraged Speaker Dejan Židan to announce he may call on the government to declare a climate crisis. He expects to receive a number of letters urging him to do so after the discussion. Indeed, Andrej Gnezda of the environmental NGO Umanotera said that more than 230 NGOs had so far called on the government to declare a climate crisis while Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Simon Zajc said that Slovenia already felt the consequences of climate change.

Fiscal Council unhappy with amended budget documents too

LJUBLJANA - The Fiscal Council repeated its concerns about the risks inherent in the budget documents for the coming two years, even after these have been amended by the government. The government has amended the budget documents for 2020 and 2021 by integrating the effects of the new income tax legislation, and the documents will be debated by the Finance Committee on Friday before being submitted for the final passage at the plenary session of parliament starting on 18 November. However, in a new assessment the Fiscal Council said that there were still discrepancies between the projections of some items and the measures valid or proposed.

SDS deputy Mahnič under fire for "mafia" statement related to top court

LJUBLJANA - Former Constitutional Court judge Matevž Krivic urged the Constitutional Court and President Borut Pahor to bring defamation charges against opposition Democrat (SDS) MP Žan Mahnič for calling the top court "mafia" as Mahnič responsed on Wednesday to the court imposing a temporary injunction preventing a parliamentary inquiry he chairs from investigate prosecutors. Mahnič's comments were also denounced by the State Prosecutors' Association, which labelled them unacceptable. Pahor's office said the president continues to reiterate that everyone, politicians in particular, should refrain from making any statements that could be understood as insulting, intolerant or hostile.

Govt restricting access to classified info

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted amendments to the classified information act in a bid to improve security of such data, with the circle of officials with access being narrowed in line with NATO and EU standards. The government said the major aim was to improve the efficiency of the classified information system and enhance the protection of such data. The bill introduces provisions on protection of classified information in communication and information systems, and sets out explicitly the responsibilities of the relevant government office.

Creative sector seen as a generator of stability

LJUBLJANA - The cultural and creative sector is increasingly becoming a strategic asset, an engine of economic growth and a key generator of social stability, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar stressed as part of the Creative Forum Ljubljana. As Culture Minister Zoran Poznič also addressed a high-level political conference on the third day of the event hosted by the Foreign Ministry, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the German Agency for International Cooperation, Culture Minister Zoran Poznič called for humanisation of technology. The event will close on Friday.

The Login couple again by far wealthiest Slovenians

LJUBLJANA - The total assets of 100 wealthiest Slovenians amount to EUR 5.6 billion, down 2% over 2018, the magazine Manager reported, attributing the drop to a worse outlook for doing business. The spouses Iza Sia Login and Samo Login, the main founders of Outfit7, the company which has developed globally popular apps, continue to top the list for the sixth year running, with their assets estimated at EUR 689 million, the same as in 2018. The wealth of the 2nd placed Sandi Češko and his partner Livija Dolanc, who recently sold their 55% stake in Studio Moderna, an omni-channel retailer, is estimated much lower than that of the Logins, at EUR 296 million, a drop of 11% from last year.

Studio Moderna gets new CEO

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian-founded omni-channel retailer Studio Moderna got a new CEO, as Jan Heere, former global managing director of the cosmetic division at Percassi Group, was appointed to the post. He will succeed Adrian Burleton, who was CEO for the last eight years, and who will go on to become chairman. Prior to his post at Percassi Group, Heere held various senior positions at a Spanish multinational clothing company Inditex, and also served as international director at Marks and Spencer. Studio Moderna, founded in 1992 by Sandi Češko, one of the richest Slovenians, has evolved into a leading omni-channel e-commerce and direct-to-consumer platform in CEE.

Slovenians increasingly eager for fruit

LJUBLJANA - Cereals, vegetables and meat dominate the Slovenian diet, with the consumption of all three food groups staying mostly level last year compared to 2017. Slovenians ate more fruit in 2018 on the annual level - 88 kilos per capita, up 16 kilos on 2017. Domestic fruit growers picked some 192,500 tonnes of fruit last year, with the harvest being five times better compared to the previous year due to favourable weather conditions, the Statistics Office said. Slovenian fruit consumption almost doubled compared to 2017 - some 400,000 tonnes of fruit were consumed in 2018, with the self-sufficiency rate for fruit (47%) increasing by as much as 32 percentage points.

Slovenia's project at Venice architecture biennial about co-op homes

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's showpiece at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice next year will be a project exploring the 70-year history of co-operative homes as centres of small-town social life. The project Common in Community has been created by architects Blaž Babnik Romaniuk and Rastko Pečar and curators Martina Malešič and Asta Vrečko, both art historians, the Culture Ministry announced. The Slovenian pavilion at the Arsenal will be open between 23 May and 29 November 2020, with Matevž Čelik Vidmar, director of the Ljubljana Museum of Architecture and Design, as the commissioner.

Ljubljana Biennial of Design to explore information crisis

LJUBLJANA - The 26th Biennial of Design (BIO 26) got under way in Ljubljana. Running until 9 February under the title Common Knowledge it will explore the information crisis and the struggles of traditional bearers of truth. Elaborating on the concept of BIO 26 for the STA, its curator Thomas Geisler said design, in particular graphic design, had always had the task of translating information and knowledge or visualising complex content.

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

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:

Record amount of Hungary-bound heroin seized at Koper port

LJUBLJANA/KOPER - Slovenian customs officers and police seized 730 kilos of heroin at the port of Koper in October, the largest heroin bust in the history of modern Slovenia. The shipment from Iran, the street value of which is estimated at up to EUR 87 million, was bound for a company in Budapest. The police and the Financial Administration (FURS) said a container shipment containing 437 rolls of polyethylene foil had been evaluated as risky at the port. Upon close inspection, it was discovered that 42 of the rolls contained 1,421 packs of heroin. The Slovenian authorities contacted colleagues in Hungary only to discover that they had already been conducting an investigation against known suspects.

Two-day postal strike ends with deal on pay rise

MARIBOR - After a two-day strike, postal services in the country were back to normal today as the management of national postal company Pošta Slovenije and the Trade Union of Postal Workers reached a deal late on Tuesday. The union, one of two in the company, had made several demands in late October, with all but one - a 10% pay rise - resolved before the strike, the first ever at Pošta Slovenije. It was agreed the wage bill for workers handling mail would increase to EUR 7.5 million, which is less than the EUR 12 million initially estimated. Wages are to rise over a period of two years, with the lowest ones rising by EUR 60-100 gross.

National Security Council wants tougher laws against militias

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian National Security Council has called on the government to table legislation that would allow law enforcement to prosecute paramilitary militias, which have recently sprung up and started to patrol the border to keep illegal migrants out. Changes to the penal code and misdemeanour regulations are needed to "appropriately sanction association and activities by various organisations that encroach on the powers of state authorities", the National Security Council said after today's session. The appeal comes in the aftermath of increased activity by militias including the Štajerska Guard, whose leader Andrej Šiško was sentenced to eight months in prison earlier this year for attempting to subvert the constitutional order.

EU court to start oral hearings in Teran case on 3 December

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - The General Court of the EU will start with oral hearings related to Slovenia's legal action against the European Commission for granting Croatia a derogation enabling it to use Teran, the name of red wine protected by Slovenia, on 3 December, shows the court's calendar. Although the word at the beginning of 2018 was that the court could issue a verdict by the end of 2019, the oral hearings will be held only at the beginning of this December. Slovenia brought the legal action in September 2017, protesting against the Commission's decision to enable Croatia to use the name Teran for a grape variety for the designated Hrvatska Istra (Croatian Istra) wine label under certain terms.

Kangler inquiry now unable to interview prosecutors

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court has imposed another temporary injunction on the law and rules governing parliamentary inquiry. This means that, pending the court's final decision, the inquiry into prosecution of former Maribor Mayor Franc Kangler will not be able to interview prosecutors after the same restriction was imposed last month in relation to judges. The Supreme State Prosecution requested a review of the Kangler inquiry arguing it represents an encroachment on the judiciary's independence. The inquiry into the allegedly politically-motivated prosecution of Kangler was endorsed by the lower chamber of parliament in July on request of the upper chamber of parliament, a member of which is also former Mayor Kangler.

Slovenia supports collaboration among W Balkan countries, FM says

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia supports the cooperation of Balkan countries, such as in the case the mini-Schengen collaboration between North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar told the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee, arguing such actions also benefitted Slovenia. However, the key to these countries' better cooperation and success in the future will be their joining the EU, said Cerar, reiterating Slovenia's official position on EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans. He was also quizzed about response to a number of hotspots around the globe, including Turkey's intervention in Syria and drilling for oil off the coast of Cyprus, while the Committee also discussed, yet behind closed doors, the expansion of Slovenia's diplomatic and consular network.

High reps for succession broach all open issues

ZAGREB, Croatia - High representatives for succession to former Yugoslavia held their first meeting in four years to review the implementation of the 2001 succession agreement. Slovenia's High Representative for Succession Mateja Vraničar Erman said it was important that all successor countries agreed on the need to discuss all open issues. Aside from the need to digitise Yugoslav archives, Slovenia said it was necessary to come to an agreement on the use of the Yugoslav pavilion for the Venice Bienale, which Slovenia thinks should be used by all successor countries. Slovenia and Serbia also initiated a debate on the maintenance of war memorials and grave sites, Vraničar Erman said after the meeting. The next meeting is to be held in North Macedonia in June 2020.

Unhappy with imminent increase in minimum wage, employers urge new pay model

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian employers agreed at their annual get-together that the latest changes to the minimum wage called for a new pay model, which should be professional and fair and which should be a result of social dialogue. Opening the Day of Employers, the director general of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS), Sonja Šmuc, said employers had been "hit by the Sword of Damocles" against their will with last year's legislative changes which raise the minimum wage. In what is another expression of grievance over the 2020 minimum wage raise, the employers called on the ministries of labour and economy to help them come up with measures to mitigate the expected consequences, as they fear that many companies will be affected, especially in the light of the expected economic slowdown.

State-owned postal operator acquires logistics company Intereuropa

LJUBLJANA - Pošta Slovenije, the state-owned postal operator, completed the acquisition of a 72% stake in logistics company Intereuropa, which cost it EUR 28.75 million. The company will now publish a takeover bid for the outstanding Intereuropa stock and for its subsidiaries in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosna-Herzegovina. Pošta's director general Boris Novak said the acquisition was one of the most important steps in the company's history and its biggest investment to date, announced Intereuropa's integration into the Pošta Slovenije group would create one of the biggest logistics companies in the country. "Our goal is to become the leading provider of comprehensive logistics solutions in the wider SE European region," he said.

Slovenian life expectancy above OECD average, cancer mortality worse

LJUBLJANA - A recent OECD report on health indicators shows that life expectancy in Slovenia of 81.1 years is slightly above the OECD countries' average of 81 years. Slovenians also eat more fruit and vegetables than the average, while the country's cancer mortality and suicide rates are above it; 243 persons die from cancer out of 100,000 citizens in Slovenia, while the OECD average stands at 201. As for suicide, Slovenia ranks third among OECD countries with 18.1 persons committing suicide out of 100,000 citizens, placing behind Lithuania and South Korea. Slovenians, however, exercise more than residents of the other OECD countries on average, but they also consume more alcohol and cigarettes.

Hungarian driver dies as his truck plummets from viaduct

LJUBLJANA - A 53-year-old Hungarian truck driver died as his tank truck came crashing off one of the viaducts on Ljubljana's ring road, plummeting some 20 metres, during this morning's rush hour. The Ljubljana Police Department said the accident happened when a 40-year Slovenian car driver crashed into the truck due to speeding. The driver was not driving under the influence, and was not injured. The tank truck did not carry hazardous cargo. The police investigation is continuing on suspicion that the car driver caused a car crash out of negligence, which carries a prison sentence of up to eight years.

LIFFe gets under way with acclaimed US filmmaker

LJUBLJANA - The 30th Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe) will get under way this evening with Tommaso, the latest film by acclaimed US filmmaker Abel Ferrara, a personal tale portraying the struggles of a recovering addict and ageing artist. Ferrara is also this year's honorary guest of the festival and will be honoured with a retrospective. The festival, running until 24 November, will feature almost 100 feature films and 25 shorts, also bringing acclaimed and experimental productions to Maribor, Celje and Novo Mesto.

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

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:

Slovenia likely to introduce preferential vote

LJUBLJANA - After another meeting of parliamentary parties on electoral law changes, it seems that Slovenia will be introducing a preferential vote system. Public Administration Minister Rudi Medved said after the meeting that the proposal enjoyed sufficient support to be passed in parliament, with the SocDems coming on board for the change. This comes after several meetings hosted, like the one today, by President Borut Pahor after the Constitutional Court decided earlier this year that electoral district borders had changed through the years to a degree that no longer guaranteed the one person-one vote principle.

Slovenia commended for progress in human rights protection

GENEVA, Switzerland - Slovenia presented the progress it made in human rights protection in the past five years at the third round meeting of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). The member states praised Slovenia for meeting almost all of suggested targets given to the country during the previous review round - 138 out of 142. Highligted was progress in strengthening national institutions for human rights protection, in particular the offices of the human rights ombudsman and equal opportunities ombudsman, as well as the adoption national action plans for protection of women, peace and security as well as human rights in the economy.

Pipistrel wants to buy Adria's pilot training school as five bids are submitted

AJDOVŠČINA - The ultralight electric aircraft maker Pipistrel confirmed that it had submitted a bid for the Adria Airways flight school, which is part of the bankruptcy estate of the former flag carrier. Pipistrel is bidding for the school as a whole, including all its assets, brand and licence. A day after the call for bids for Adria assets closed, receiver Janez Pustatičnik announced that five bids came in, with the media reporting that bids had also been submitted by Joc Pečečnik, who owns a gaming products maker, and produce importer and real estate developer Izet Rastoder. The former is interested in the entire estate, while the latter is bidding for the carrier's air operator's certificate (AOC).

Erjavec says Macron's NATO brain death comment unhelpful

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Defence Minister Karl Erjavec said after a meeting with his EU counterparts that the recent statement by French President Emmanuel Macron about NATO being brain dead was not helpful. The defence ministers shared the view that cooperation between the EU and NATO had never been as good, and Erjavec said that there was a clear emphasis today that NATO needed to be nurtured and strengthened. When asked about the impact of Macron's statement, Erjavec said that the ministers were happy with French Defence Minister Florence Parly expressing support for transatlantic cooperation and pointing to a number of shared challenges.

Civil society turns to OECD over hydraulic fracturing in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - Several civil initiatives turned to the OECD over the plans of the British oil and gas exploration company Ascent Resources for hydraulic fracturing in eastern Slovenia. The move comes after the company announced it would demand massive damages from Slovenia for delays in obtaining a permit for the controversial gas extraction project. The civil initiatives and organisations filed a complaint with the Slovenian and British national contact points for the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, demanding that Ascent Resources fully adhere to the guidelines.

Slovenia to join another PESCO defence project

BRUSSELS, Belgium - An additional 13 projects have been confirmed as part of the Permanent Structured Cooperation on Security and Defence (PESCO), including a project in which Slovenia will participate, as the EU defence ministers met in Brussels Slovenia has so far been participating in three projects as part of the partnership involving all EU member states except the UK, Denmark and Malta, and has been present in another five as observer. Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Austria signed a programme agreement for a project in nuclear, chemical, radiological and biological oversight as a service which will be operated by Austria. Defence Minister Karl Erjavec said that the project was about drones supplying data on the situation on the ground, adding that Slovenian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could participate, and could be joined by research institutes in what is an excellent opportunity.

Velenje protests as Gorenje moves HQ to Ljubljana

VELENJE - The mayor of Velenje has appealed to Prime Minister Marjan Šarec to prevent the head office of the household appliances maker Gorenje being moved to Ljubljana as planned by its new Chinese owners. Mayor Bojan Kontič sees the plans, announced by Gorenje in late October, as yet another step to centralisation, which he says is one of Slovenia's key problems. The mayor's letter of protest was forwarded to Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Wang Shunqing, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Boštjan Gorjup and the media. In a responbse, Gorenje said that calls on the prime minister to interfere in business decisions of a fully privately-owned company were unjustified and illegitimate.

Slovenian logistics forging business ties in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - A delegation of 18 Slovenian companies active in maritime, transport and logistics have been visiting South Korea's capital since Monday for a series of meetings with prospective business partners. The visit is being organised by the transport section of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) and the SPIRIT agency for promotion of entrepreneurship and investment. The GZS said the Slovenian delegation is meeting Korean shipping and logistics companies, forwarding agents, port community companies, industrial companies, export and import companies and traders interested in Slovenian transport and logistic services.

Conviction of ex-bankers overturned

MARIBOR - The Maribor Higher Court has overturned the January conviction of two executives of the now defunct bank Probanka, who had been found guilty of fraud, quoting serious violations of procedure. Romana Pajenk, CEO of Probanka until September 2012, and Milana Lah, a member of her board, had received suspended sentences of 23 months with a four-year probation for defrauding two businessmen at the height of the economic and financial crisis. The case will now go into retrial.

Slovenian tourism: New records, old challenges

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian tourism is in for another record year in terms of arrivals and nights by foreign tourists, even if growth rates are slowing down in Slovenia and globally. And while some goals from the 2017-2021 national tourism strategy have already been achieved, there is still a lot to be done in terms of revenue and company restructuring. Arrivals and nights by foreign tourists grew this year until August, by 7.1% and 3.5%, respectively, and revenue from foreign tourists rose by 3% to EUR 1.9 billion until the end of August, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said at the Days of Slovenian Tourism, the main tourism industry event in the country.

Ljubljana hosting Creative Forum

LJUBLJANA - The 2nd Creative Forum Ljubljana got under way, bringing together 200 participants from 20 countries in an effort to promote creative economy. The forum will focus on the Western Balkans and the Southern Mediterranean. The forum, running until Friday, is hosted by the Foreign Ministry, the Union for the Mediterranean, and GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation. It will feature representatives of creative hubs, entrepreneurs, civil society, international institutions and local organisations as well as high representatives of EU institutions and ministries from both regions.

Planica Nordic Centre gets award for sports architecture

LJUBLJANA - The designers of the Planica Nordic Centre in north-eastern Slovenia has received a gold medal for an architectural achievement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS). The Nordic skiing complex with one ski flying hill, seven ski jumping hills and a cross-country skiing track is one of the seven recipients of the gold medals among a total of 98 competing projects.
What speaks of the success of the Planica Nordic Centre is that the award for an architectural achievement in the past went to the likes of Beijing National Stadium, also called The Bird's Nest, and National Stadium in Singapore.

Actor Vlado Novak honoured with Bert for lifetime achievements

LJUBLJANA - Theatre and film actor Vlado Novak has been honoured by the Slovenian Directors' Guild with the Bert award for lifetime achievements in film and in theatre. The jury praised him as an actor par excellence, and an indispensable figure of Slovenian cinema. Novak, 67, has starred in more than 60 films, which is a lot by Slovenian standards, yet much less than over 120 roles he has played in theatre. In 2014, Novak was honoured with the Borštnik Ring, the highest award for theatre acting given out by Slovenian theatre professionals.

Off road, Roglič honoured with yet another trophy

LJUBLJANA - After winning a series of cycling trophies, Slovenia's rider Primož Roglič has now also been honoured by the Slovenian tourism community for his contribution to Slovenia's promotion worldwide. At the annual Days of Slovenian Tourism, Roglič won the Crystal Triglav as the person who made the biggest contribution to Slovenia's international recognisability in the past year. Roglič, a Jumbo-Visma rider, clinched a series of key victories this year, including at the Vuelta, Tour de Romandie, the premiere UAE Tour and the Tirreno-Adriatico race, finishing third at the Giro d'Italia.

Slovenian culinary scene to get Michelin Guide

LJUBLJANA - The first Slovenian Michelin reference guide for restaurants will be published in March next year. Maja Pak, the head of the Slovenian Tourism Board (STO), told the press the guide will strengthen the position of Slovenia as a culinary destination for high-end guests. According to Michelin sales and marketing director Romain Perrier, the guide's food critics have been assessing restaurants in Slovenia for the past year. The tourist board will invest EUR 425,000 per year in the next two years into promotion and development activities in cooperation with Michelin. A year ago, another renowned culinary guide, Gault & Millau, entered the Slovenian culinary scene.

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Postal workers on strike over higher pay, more staff

LJUBLJANA/MARIBOR - Postmen at national postal company Pošta Slovenije went on strike demanding a 10% rise in wages and some 300 new staff. The Trade Union of Postal Workers said that 70% of postmen had joined what is the first ever strike at Pošta Slovenije and that the strike was supported by more than half of all employees. Responding to the strike, the management said it was willing to discuss a pay rise but in a way that would not jeopardise business and jobs. Meeting the demand for a 10% pay rise, which translates into EUR 12 million a year, would result in Pošta starting to generate loss in 2020, said director general Boris Novak. The damage caused to the copany has not yet been assessed, but the management said less than a third of postmen was on strike. The talks will resume on Tuesday.

Report pins blame for arbitration scandal on Slovenia's agent

LJUBLJANA - Simona Drenik, one of the Foreign Ministry officials who represented Slovenia in the Slovenian-Croatian border arbitration procedure, has been singled out as the person whose actions allowed Croatia to obtain wiretaps that ultimately led to Croatia rejecting arbitration, in what was a major scandal in 2015. The public portion of a classified report compiled by the parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Commission shows that despite receiving training from Slovenian intelligence services, she ignored security protocol and used an open land-line telephone to discuss arbitration with Slovenian arbiter Jernej Sekolec. The report implies that SOVA, Slovenia's intelligence agency, had done its job briefing officials about the requisite security measures. Drenik responded by saying she insisted she had not violated the law on classified information and noted that by investigating the matter, the parliamentary commission had exceeded its powers.

LMŠ, SDS neck and neck in Delo poll, support doubles for Left

LJUBLJANA - The senior coalition Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) remains the most popular party in the country, according to the latest Delo poll, but it is now almost neck and neck with the opposition Democrats (SDS). Moreover, the opposition Left has climbed to third place, seeing its support rating double compared to the October poll. The LMŠ and SDS received 15.4% and 15.2%, respectively, losing 1.4 and 0.5 percentage points since the last poll. This is the closest the SDS has gotten to the LMŠ after the latter took the lead in the Mediana-conducted poll in February.

Bratušek, Čufer defend massive 2013 bank bailout as urgent

LJUBLJANA - Former PM Alenka Bratušek and her Finance Minister Uroš Čufer, who served from mid-March 2013 to mid-September 2014, defended the government's decision to bail out banks in December 2013, which cost taxpayers some EUR 5 billion, as they were interviewed by the parliamentary inquiry into suspected abuse of office at the bad bank. The bailout was key to avoid the European troika and encourage economic growth, Bratušek said. However, had it been carried out earlier, it would have been by EUR 2 billion cheaper, she said, pointing the finger at Finance Minister Franci Križanič and central bank Governor Marko Kranjec. Standing even more firmly behind Bratušek's government decision on the bailout, Čufer said the bank recapitalisation was adequate, noting "I'm truly proud of this period, we did a good job." He is convinced the state has already received back the invested money through the sales of claims by the bad bank or privatisations.

Supervisors dismiss Intereuropa CEO

KOPER - The supervisors of logistics company Intereuropa dismissed director general Ernest Gortan, citing a delay in introducing an adequate system of corporate governance and corruption detection and prevention. However, news portal Siol said the real reason was EUR 1.6 million worth of suspicious payments by the company's subsidiary in Croatia. Siol said the supervisors suspected the receipts for these payments may have been fictitious. The dismissal comes just over half a year after Gortan's term at the helm of the company, which he has led since mid-2009, was extended by two years and amidst a sale procedure that will see Intereuropa taken over by postal company Pošta Slovenije. Management member Marko Cegnar will take over as interim director general on Tuesday.

Slovenian job market remains tight

LJUBLJANA - The job market in Slovenia remains tight as the number of job vacancies remains high, show Employment Service figures. Demand is particularly high for skilled workers with technological know-how. In a country long grappling with precarious forms of employment, in particular among youths, the number of full-time posts on open-ended contracts has been increasing and such job offers now account for almost a third of all advertised positions. The highest number of open-ended job offers is in technology, almost 60%, with the shares also high in legal professions, business, management and consulting.

Petrol to hold general meeting on 12 December

LJUBLJANA - The shareholders of energy company Petrol will get an opportunity to learn more about the reasons for the 24 October resignation of the management board at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for 12 December, according to a release posted on the website of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange. The new interim Petrol management called the general meeting after it was requested by Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH), which represents the interests of the state. The well-performing Tomaž Berločnik-led management resigned "by mutual agreement" after losing the trust of the supervisory board. The media was full of speculation about the reasons for the management and supervisory boards parting ways, as the supervisors provided little information about the background of the move, citing "significantly different views on the implementation of Petrol's 2018-2022 strategy".

Idea to loosen fiscal rule not gaining traction

LJUBLJANA - With Slovenia's economic growth gradually slowing, the ruling Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) has recently suggested it might be a good idea to loosen the fiscal rule, a constitutional provision that requires governments to run surpluses in all but the most desperate times. At present, the idea does not seem to be gaining a lot of traction. The government's problem is that the fiscal rule is enshrined in the Constitution and changing it would require a two-thirds majority in parliament, significantly beyond the reach of the current minority government. Even within the coalition's ranks the LMŠ idea is not universally accepted: the Modern Centre Party (SMC) is reserved considering that Slovenia's public debt remains high, having stood at nearly 68% of GDP in the second quarter of this year.

Experts urge politicians to tackle climate change immediately

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian scientists studying weather, climate and climate change presented an open letter to President Borut Pahor, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec and the speakers of the lower and upper chambers of parliament, Dejan Židan and Alojz Kovšca, warning about the "threat of catastrophic climate change" and urging them to take immediate measures to mitigate the impact of and adjust to climate change. Despite studies showing that climate change endangers the lives of more than a billion people, causing mass extinction of animal and plant species and threatening with irreparable economic damage, Slovenia is one of the countries that are not willing to respond to the threat with decisive measures, the scientists said.

Days of Slovenian Tourism promote plastic-free tourism

LJUBLJANA - As part of the Days of Slovenian Tourism, the main tourism industry event in Slovenia, a campaign promoting environmentally friendly practices in the hoospitality sector was launched to reduce the use of disposable plastic products. According to the head of the Tourism and Hospitality Chamber, Andrej Prebil, Slovenian tourism has been transforming in the last few years, but its focus must be on staff training, improving products and services, and on sustainable developmen. The event will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with a plenary featuring top tourism officials discussing the challenges ahead and the measures necessary to raise the added value of tourist services. Prime Minister Marjan Šarec will also address the event.

Study shows companies wait long time for payments by business clients

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian companies wait to get paid by their business clients for an average 81 days, according to a study by the EOS international organisation for claims management, highlighting this period is the longest among 17 participating countries. Nonetheless, the companies do not consider this a threat to their business. But according to Natalija Zupan of the EOS KSI group, the Slovenian branch of EOS, Slovenian companies waiting to get paid for such a long time means that the cycle of settling claims in the country is much slower, which has a negative impact on business productivity and efficiency.

Slovenian dominates the most extreme obstacle course race

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Rea Kolbl has defended her title of the women's world champion in the top category at the Spartan Ultra obstacle course race in Sweden's Aare, covering 112 kilometres in difficult weather conditions and terrain in a challenge lasting a full 24 hours. The 28-year-old Slovenian was the last woman standing in the race in the elite category, and the only one to run the last, 14th lap, to celebrate victory in what was probably the most difficult course in the history of the series.

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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here, but today:

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary inquiry commission investigating the late-2013 bank bailout will interview the finance and prime minister at the time, Aleš Čufer and Alenka Bratušek.
LJUBLJANA - The Employment Service will talk about a shortage of labour force.
LJUBLJANA - Employees at the national postal company are expected to go on strike.
LJUBLJANA - Days of Slovenian Tourism, a three-day event for tourism industry professionals, will kick off.
NURSULTAN, Kazakhstan - Danilo Türk, Slovenia's former president, will attend the annual meeting of the Astana Club.
LJUBLJANA - A selection of books from the Frankfurt Book Fair will be displayed at the Frankfurt after Frankfurt show, until 16 November.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

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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:

SD congress confirms ambition for green and social future

VELENJE - Around 300 delegates of the junior coalition Social Democrats (SD) gathered for a programme and statute congress to confirm guidelines for future work, which launch the process of turning green and left, based on three packages - social, green and development packages. A part of the SD's programme is a plan for green investments worth more than EUR 30 billion for the next ten years, for facilitated investment in social, energy, transport, digital and development infrastructure. Delivering the introductory address earlier in the day, SD president Dejan Židan said he wanted to take the SD further, as he had a clear and convincing vision, adding that the party would make a shift to the "green and to the left".

Postal workers to go on strike on Monday

LJUBLJANA - Postal workers in Slovenia will go on strike on Monday as the Trade Union of Postal Workers and the management of the national postal company Pošta Slovenije have failed to find common ground on the workers' demands, including 10% higher wages, after the move was announced two weeks ago. The strike was confirmed after another round of unsuccessful talks, with Karmen Lebe Grajf, who represents Pošta Slovenije in the negotiations, announcing a new round for the next week. The employees of the national postal operator and its sheltered workshop for 11 November two weeks ago, saying that regular social dialogue would not do this time. The talks will continue next week, but not as early as Monday.

Kučan discusses Europe and Slovenia 30 years after Berlin Wall

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's first President Milan Kučan told Delo that the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago was a historic moment, with Europe being ready to overcome divisions from the Cold War, but that the subsequent processes have not been as reciprocal as some had hoped. He said there were different expectations, but their common foundation was that the fall of the Berlin Wall brings a promised period of Europe without differences, with nations committed to the same values and building the future together. "When the happy moment came, it somewhat blurred the reality and objective differences. Later on, they became even more pronounced, especially given the expectations of the enlargement of European integration to the east."

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Pahor and Steinmeier hail EU idea in memory of Wall fall

BERLIN, Germany - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked Slovenia for being a committed member of the EU along with Germany, after meeting President Borut Pahor over a working breakfast amid celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Pahor laid a wreath at the Berlin Wall Memorial and addressed a conference marking the anniversary. He described the Berlin Wall's fall as one of the most inspiring historical milestones of the 20th century and linked it to the European idea.

Šarec sees no alternative to EU membership for W Balkans

GENEVA, Switzerland - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec told the Strategic Dialogue on Western Balkans, held under the auspices of the World Economic Forum, that there is no alternative to EU enlargement in the region, echoing Slovenia's long-standing position that countries such as North Macedonia and Albania must join the EU as soon as possible. The prospect of EU membership is important for youths in the region and key keeping membership hopes alive an important motivation for continuation of reforms, stability, and resilience against third parties, Šarec said according to his office.

PM, aide to be quizzed about SOVA hiring

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec, his state secretary Damir Črnčec and a number of senior officers of the intelligence agency SOVA will be questioned by the Commission for Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services over the agency's staffing. The decision by the opposition-controlled commission comes in the aftermath of reports implying Šarec had intervened to secure a job for a female acquaintance of his at SOVA. Commission chair Matej Tonin said the goal was to "secure comprehensive civilian oversight of intelligence and security services in a normal, sober way".

Intel commission adopts report on arbitration spy scandal

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services adopted a report about intelligence aspects of the the Slovenia-Croatia border arbitration that commission chair Matej Tonin says reveals at least one person had lied. The commission examined the circumstances of 2015 wiretaps of communication between Slovenia's agent in the procedure and the Slovenian member of the panel of arbiters that led Croatia bail out on the arbitration declaring that the procedure has been compromised beyond repair. Only about ten percent of the 150-page report will be made public, presumably next week.

Cooperation opportunities with Vietnam in logistics, ICT and tourism

HANOI, Vietnam - Slovenia and Vietnam listed logistics, information and communications technology (ICT) and tourism as areas with most untapped potential for cooperation at the second session of the Slovenian-Vietnamese intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation, chaired by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and his counterpart Tran Tuan Anh. The ministers met ahead of the session, noting the potential to strengthen cooperation in particular in transport and logistics, ICT and tourism

Bankers want dialogue with central bank about lending curbs

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Slovenian bankers discussed the consumer lending restrictions introduced by the central bank on 1 November, calling on Banka Slovenije to engage in dialogue with key stakeholders and calling the measure excessive and premature. Banka Slovenije Governor Boštjan Vasle urged waiting for the effects first. Bank Association director Stanislava Zadravec Caprirolo said that "all macroeconomic and macroprudential measures which were introduced by Banka Slovenije ... should have been taken after dialogue with key stakeholders."

Slovenia sees double-digit growth in foreign trade

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's foreign trade continued to grow apace in September with merchandise exports increasing by 15.2% year-on-year to EUR 2.96bn and imports rising by 13.6% to EUR 2.93bn, the Statistics Office reported. The country recorded a trade surplus of EUR 29 million and an export/import ratio of 101%. Exports in the first three quarters of the year rose by 9.6% to EUR 25.11bn and imports increased by 11.8% to EUR 25.14bn.

Industrial output up slightly in September

LJUBLJANA - The value of industrial production in Slovenia in September was 0.4% up compared to August, when it decreased by 2%, and 1.9% higher year-on-year, show the Statistics Office data. Industrial output in September in manufacturing increased on a monthly level by 0.3%, while in electricity, gas and steam supply, as well as mining and quarrying it was down 0.1% and 2.7%, respectively. Sales revenue in industry decreased by 0.2% compared to August, while it was up 1.3% year-on-year.

Petrol supervisors say ex management submitted misleading documentation

LJUBLJANA - The supervisory board of energy trader Petrol, which had been subject to mounting criticism in recent weeks for failing to explain October's unexpected management board overhaul, said the former management had never put forward credible documentation to support plans that substantially departed from the company's strategy. The existing "material contained errors in the magnitude of several hundred millions when it comes to calculated cash flow and the amount of new debt needed to finance the investments". The former management meanwhile retorted by accusing the supervisory board of withholding information.

Syrian dies in front of police station in Ilirska Bistrica

ILIRSKA BISTRICA - A 20-year-old Syrian died on Thursday in front of the police station in Ilirska Bistrica due to hypothermia and exhaustion despite medical assistance and resuscitation attempts. According to the Koper Police Department, the 20-year-old called his brothers, who live in Germany as refugees, on the phone, asking them to come find him and sent them his coordinates. The brothers found the 20-year-old, taking him to the nearby police station, where the man died despite medical attention.

Ljubljana mayor potentially facing hefty tax bill

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković is potentially on the line for a significant tax bill stemming from transactions with companies owned by his sons, web portal Siol reported. The Tax Administration put a specific type of lien on his family house to the tune of EUR 335,000, a move it typically resorts to if it intends to issue a tax bill. While Janković has refused to comment on the details of the audit, Siol says the tax liability stems from payments the mayor had received from Electa Group, owned by his sons Jure and Damijan Janković.

Slovenia aims to lead circular economy transition in region

BLED - The Environment Ministry hosted an international conference on the circular economy, as Slovenia aims to become the leading country in the circular economy transition in the region and bringing together other countries to put in action this sustainable concept. The meeting titled Circular Economy in the Region - Integrated for Sustainability and Growth, was attended by representatives of Austria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia, including experts and environment ministers or ministry officials from these countries.

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

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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:

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

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:

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