Daily headlines - Friday, 19 March

DELO

Company closures
"Plants with thousand of workers shutting down": Following announcements by two foreign groups of closing down their affiliates in Slovenia, the paper says that the country is not competitive regarding cost of manual labour. Employers warn that increasing added value is key. (front page, page 10)

Parties
"Janez Janša in search of partners": Former leader of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) Aleksandra Pivec is expected to form a new party tomorrow in a move that could be perceived as a way to provide PM Janez Janša with new partners in the future. (front page, page 2)

Vaccination
"Continuation of vaccination": After the EMA's statement saying the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said that Slovenia would resume the use of the vaccine. (front page, page 5)

DNEVNIK

STA-government
"The government against STA director with full force": The government attacked the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) yesterday with all they have, proposing for the STA supervisory board to dismiss Bojan Veselinovič as the agency's director. This is an attack against STA's independence, Veselinovič warns. (front page, page 3)

Ljubljana
"Recently planted trees in Kajuhova will be relocated": Just when it seemed that the renovation of the Kajuhova Street is coming to an end, the new pavement, bike lane and planted trees were thrown out in a surprising development for the residents. (front page, page 8)

PPE purchase
"Ineffective, uncoordinated and disorganised": The Court of Audit report on the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) shows that relevant procedures lacked transparency and efficiency. PM Janez Janša responded in his typical cynical manner, whereas Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek seems to be pleased there are no corruption allegations in the report. (front page, page 4)

Adient closure
"End without mercy in ten minutes": A decision by foreign multinational Adient to close down its affiliate in Slovenj Gradec came as a shock to the employees. Trade unions are not prepared to give up, urging the government to join negotiations. (front page, page 10)

VEČER

Adient closure
"Another tragic ending": After the Italian group Safilo announced it would close down its plant in Ormož, the US multinational Adient also decided to shut down its Slovenian affiliate in what is another major downsizing tragedy. (front page, page 6)

PPE purchase
"PPE purchase - ineffective": Releasing a report on PPE procurement, Court of Audit President Tomaž Vesel summed up the findings by saying that it had not been clear who was the general in this fight to get PPE. (front page, pages 2, 3)

Tragedy
"Girl dies because of a dog attack": An eight-year-old girl was mauled to death by a dog after approaching the animal by herself. Medical help came too late. (front page, page 21)