Latest News from Slovenia
Financial position of households keeps improving
Ljubljana – The financial position of Slovenian households continues to improve as their assets had increased more than debt until the end of the third quarter of 2020. The surplus of assets over debt stood at EUR 45.2 billion, a rise by EUR 3.9 billion at the annual level, the central bank’s report shows.
Slovenia to receive 25% less Pfizer vaccine next week
Celje – Slovenia will receive 20-25% less Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine than planned on Monday due to production adjustments at Pfizer, Health Ministry State Secretary Marija Magajne told the press on Saturday. This means the first-dosage vaccination will be delayed, and the whole vaccination plan will need to be adjusted.
Motion filed to oust Janša government
Ljubljana – An informal coalition of centre-left opposition parties has filed a motion of no confidence in the Janez Janša government with the backing of 42 of the 90 deputies of the National Assembly. The crux of their argument is the government’s failure to cope with the coronavirus epidemic.
Kranjska Gora ski resort hosting 57th Golden Fox meet
Kranjska Gora – The Slovenian ski resort of Kranjska Gora will host over the weekend two Alpine Ski World Cup giant slalom events for women in what will be the 57th Golden Fox meet. The event usually takes place in Maribor but has been moved the second year running due to a lack of snow amid mild and wet weather.
Petrol takes over Croatia’s Crodux
Ljubljana – Slovenia’s energy company Petrol has taken over an outright stake in Croatian petroleum products seller Crodux as a result of which Petrol will acquire 91 service stations in Croatia once the deal has been cleared by regulators.
Commission rejects resolution Hojs undermined police safety
Ljubljana – The Commission for Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services (KNOVS) debated on Friday the disclosure by Interior Minister Aleš Hojs of pay data for the police force to vote against a resolution that Hojs’s act was inappropriate and affected the internal security in the police force.
Croatia Returned 7,000 Refugees in 2020, Bosnian Minister Says
A minister in a Bosnian canton bordering Croatia said the EU member state had forcibly returned over 7,000 migrants and refugees to Bosnia last year, asking why his own country had not done the same to its neighbours.
Logar presents Slovenia’s EU presidency priorities in Finland
Helsinki, 14 January – Foreign Minister Anže Logar paid a working visit to Finland on Thursday to meet his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto and Europe Minister Tytti Tuppurainen. He was also received by President Sauli Niinisto. Logar presented the priorities of Slovenia’s EU presidency in the second half of the year.
Energy group GEN trumped 2020 plans with EUR 65m in net profit
Krško – Power utility group GEN, which manages the Slovenian half of the Krško power plant, exceeded its plans last year despite the challenging situation and delayed investments due to the Covid-19 epidemic. There were also no disturbances in electricity supply. Net profit reached EUR 65 million, CEO Martin Novšak told the press on Thursday.
Slovenia open handball worlds with 22-goal beatdown of S Korea
Alexandria – Slovenia opened their campaign at the World Men’s Handball Championship in Egypt on Thursday with a convincing 51:29 win against South Korea, getting a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Saturday’s encounter with Russia.
Slovenia to get EUR 3.2 million to offset Brexit impact
Brussels – The European Commission has unveiled a proposal on allocating financial aid from the EU fund to offset the impact of Brexit. EUR 3.2 million has been set aside for Slovenia out of a total of EUR 4.2 billion expected to be disbursed in 2021.
Ministry says late MIFID II transposition had no major consequences
Ljubljana – Responding to the EU Court of Justice ordering Slovenia pay a fine for failing to transpose changes to the EU directive on markets in financial instruments in due time, the Finance Ministry said the delay had not affected private and public interests. It added that the European Commission had been informed about the transposition.
Hospitals gear up for rise in hospitalisations amid staff shortages
Ljubljana – In light of an expected rise in the number of Covid-19 hospitalisations, hospitals are taking the necessary steps to boost the number of Covid beds. Staff shortages, particularly a lack of intensive care staff, are the crux of the problem, Robert Carotta, the coordinator for Covid beds at the Health Ministry, said on Thursday.
Coronavirus restrictions extended until 22 January
Brdo pri Kranju – The vast majority of existing coronavirus restrictions will be extended until 22 January, the government decided as it conducted its weekly review of the measures on Wednesday. The only major change is an extension of the formal state of the epidemic by 60 days.
Book honouring former President Milan Kučan
Ljubljana – A special book about Milan Kučan, Slovenia’s first president, has been released ahead of his 80th birthday that will be celebrated on Thursday. The publication features 85 impressions of Kučan, including eight by foreign figures.