News roundup - Monday, 16 January, until 3pm

N-plant granted life extension permit

KRŠKO - Slovenia's sole nuclear power station has been granted an environmental permit to extend its life span by 20 years, to 2043. Issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, the permit concludes the impact assessment procedure conducted at the Krško nuclear power plant (NEK) after last year's scheduled maintenance, during which the plant was upgraded to allow it to remain operational for another 20 years, the ministry said. NEK was launched in 1983 and is jointly owned with Croatia.

Financial Administration staff announce strike for 13 February

LJUBLJANA - The staff at the Financial Administration (FURS) plan to go on strike on 13 February as the latest group of public sector employees to demand higher pay and additional bonuses. The Trade Union of Customs Officers said the strike will last until their demands are met. Their principal demand is an increase in wages by five brackets for all FURS employees, mirroring what doctors have sought in the negotiations with the government that have recently ended in a strike-averting agreement.

Consultation discusses 2040 military resolution

LJUBLJANA - The Defence Ministry hosted a consultation on a draft 2040 resolution on long-term development of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) at the National Council, which is to replace the one adopted last year. Minister Marjan Šarec said the overhaul was needed because the security situation in Europe had changed dramatically, and due to bigger ambitions in terms of military development. The document provides a faster timeline for achieving defence spending goals, with Slovenia expected to reach 2% of GDP spending for defence by 2030. Plans for military reserve and for military education were also presented, with the ministry mulling founding a military academy.

Slovenia finally gets first significant snowfall

LJUBLJANA/KRANJ/CELJE - After an unseasonably warm start to the winter, Slovenia finally received its first noteworthy snowfall this morning, wreaking havoc on morning traffic on motorways and around urban areas and roads and motorways. Being heavy and wet, the snow caused power outages and blocked roads, especially in the mountainous northern regions, but also in the areas of Ljubljana and Celje and in the northern part of Primorska region.

Survey shows nearly half cut back on living expenses

LJUBLJANA - Almost half of Slovenians, or 45%, have cut back on certain living expenses in recent months due to price hikes, and 30% plan to do the same in the coming months, a recent Mediana survey indicates. The 45% share is below the global average of people actively living more frugally amid the cost-of-living crisis (48%), and down 9 percentage points on the EU average of 54%, polling company Mediana said. The agency conducted the survey as part of the global counterpart WIN International.

Impol digitalizing business processes

SLOVENSKA BISTRICA - Slovenia's largest aluminium producer Impol has launched a new project, which aims to digitally transform the company's business processes. Dubbed INDIGO, the project is expected to be completed within two years and is valued at EUR 4 million, with the state chipping in half of the sum. The Slovenska Bistrica-based company signed in December an agreement with the Economy Ministry to co-fund the project, project manager Denis Špelič noted as he presented it to reporters.

Peugeot 308 Slovenian car of 2023

NOVO MESTO - The Peugeot 308 was awarded the Slovenian Car of 2023 title at a ceremony in Novo Mesto on Sunday. The Opel Astra ranked second and the Toyota Corolla Cross third. This is the second such title for Peugeot in the past six years after the Peugeot 3008 won in 2017. Another win for the brand was in 2002 when the Peugeot 307, the precursor of this year's winner, took home the title. Last year, the title went to the Toyota Yaris Cross.