Daily headlines - Thursday, 21 December

DELO

Social affairs
"Situation to improve for pensioners as of new year": The guaranteed pension for the full years of service will be EUR 744 as of January 2024, and the rate of indexation of pensions at an annual basis, put into law, will be at least 8.2%. The minimum wage and social transfers will grow at a smaller rate. (front page, 3)

New asylum pact
"Stricter rules for migrants": After years of negotiations, the EU is to get a new regulation of asylum and migrations, with the new rules expected to alleviate the migration pressure, establish a more effective border control, and restrict the movement of asylum seekers between EU member states. (front page, 5)

New military transport aircraft
"Martin Krpan will load for Slovenian army": The Defence Ministry presented to the public the C-27J Spartan tactical military aircraft purchased from Italy. Nicknamed Martin Krpan, it is 23 metres long and has a 28-metre wingspan. Its range is around 5,800 kilometres. (front page, 3)

DNEVNIK

Ljubljana District Court
"There will be trial if they find a large enough courtroom": The Ljubljana District Court again has problems finding a courtroom that could accommodate a large criminal group that smuggled and sold illicit drugs. The Justice Ministry is looking for two large courtrooms in the centre of Ljubljana by means of a public call. (front page, 2)

New asylum pact
"Member states satisfied with solutions, NGOs critical": Most EU member states are satisfied with the new European asylum pact, agreed on by negotiators of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The agreement brings stricter rules for asylum procedures, faster refoulement of rejected migrants and compulsory solidarity with countries under the most pressure. (front page, 6, commentary 11)

FINANCE

Subsidies
"Where companies will be able to find money in 2024": A new call for applications for co-funding of solar power plants has been announced only for the end of 2024, while subsidies for various energy investments will also be available. Subsidies for start-ups will also be higher. (front page, 2-3)

Labour market
"Five outlooks for labour market in 2024": Growth of employment is expected to slow down significantly due to the cooling of the economy and shortage of workforce, while growth of wages will stay at a relatively high rate. 2024 is expected to be marked by a pension reform, which needs to be adopted by the end of the year. (front page, 4-5)

Automotive market
"An electric car is cheaper than a petrol one already today": Electric cars are getting closer to their petrol-powered counterparts in terms of the price and, if subsidies from the Eco Fund are taken into account, they can get even much cheaper. (front page, 15)

VEČER

Waste water treatment
"Finally publicly-owned": The central waste water treatment plant in Dogoše, which has been operated by the company Aquasystems as a concessionaire, will as of 11 June 2024 be operated by the public company Mariborski Vodovod, which will result in the municipality having the entire water cycle in Maribor under its control. (front page, 14-15)

Procurement of Covid-19 tests
"Indictments over procurement of tests": The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a criminal complaint to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) over suspected two criminal acts related to the procurement of rapid antigen tests for Covid-19 in Slovenia. Six people have been indicted. (front page, 4)

New asylum pact
"Compulsory solidarity as basis of pact": The gist of the new European asylum and migration pact, agreed on yesterday by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, is so-called compulsory solidarity between the EU member states, which could be enhanced in the event of crisis situations. (front page, 2-3)

Hospitals in Maribor
"At least three years at temporary location": The department for infectious diseases of the UKC Maribor hospital was recently moved to the second floor of the psychiatry department building, where an intensive unit for Covid-19 used to be housed. Professionals are not entirely happy with the new premises. (front page, 13)