News roundup - Wednesday, 10 January, until 3pm

Slovenia regrets Security Council veto use on Gaza

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia joined a number of United Nations members on Tuesday in expressing opposition to the use of veto on the Security Council when it comes to resolutions about Gaza. "We welcome the adoption of two UN Security Council resolutions on specific aspects of the crisis, but the steps taken so far have not been enough. We therefore regret the use of veto," Slovenian Ambassador Boštjan Malovrh told the debate at the UN General Assembly.

Slovenia condemns transfer of N Korean missiles used in Ukraine attack

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia joined a group of nearly 50 countries on Tuesday in condemning the sale of North Korean missiles to Russia which were then used against Ukraine on 30 December and 2 January. The statement was signed, among others, by the US, UK and several EU member states, as well as the EU. "The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia's war of aggression, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime," the statement reads.

FURS collects 7% more taxes in 2023 y/y

LJUBLJANA - The Financial Administration (FURS) collected EUR 22.5 billion in taxes last year, which was EUR 1.5 billion (7%) more than in 2022 and EUR 3.3 billion (17.2%) more than in 2021. The amount collected was the highest in six years, FURS said, adding that tax debt continued to shrink. Social security contributions, which make up the bulk of revenue and most of which are paid to ZPIZ and ZZZS and to a small extent to the state budget, increased by 8.7% to EUR 9.2 billion.

Retailer Mercator raises employees' wages

LJUBLJANA - The largest employer and biggest retailer in the country, Mercator, raised its employees' gross base pay from 1 January. An average increase reached 7%, while the rate exceeded 10% for the most common jobs in sales and logistics, the retailer said. For sales, commission agent and driver jobs, accounting for almost half of the workforce, the gross base wage increased from EUR 1,100 to EUR 1,270. Mercator, which employs some 8,400 people, is expected to spend an additional EUR 18 million on labour costs this year due to the raise.

Industrial output down in November

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's industrial production contracted by 0.8% year-on-year in November, even as it expanded by 3.7% on the month before, show the latest Statistics Office data. Output contracted by 23.4% in electricity, steam and gas supply and by 0.4% in manufacturing. In mining it rose by 14.3%. Sales revenue contracted at a slower pace, by just 0.1%, as revenue increased by 4.3% in manufacturing and 4.4% in mining.

Economists cautious about tax reform plans

LJUBLJANA - The government plans to present a long delayed tax reform proposal in early spring. Although the details of the blueprint have not been presented yet, several economists expressed scepticism at a debate organised by Economic Circle, a grouping of 15 business associations. Ljubljana School of Economics and Business professor Mojmir Mrak said the government should not rush things at the expense of quality, warning that a serious tax reform cannot be prepared in three months as announced by the prime minister. Tax reform should go hand in hand with pension reform, said Mrak, though he noted this was not likely.

Luka Koper officially opens new lorry terminal

KOPER - The port operator Luka Koper inaugurated a lorry terminal in the Sermin area of the port. The new terminal, which has been in commission since the start of the year, has 203 parking spots and cost EUR 13 million to build. One of the operator's major investments, the EU co-funded upgrade is an important milestone in Luka Koper's development, the operator's chairwoman Nevenka Kržan said at the inauguration ceremony. The old lorry terminal, which is located closer to Koper city centre, has been decommissioned, a development that is expected to reduce traffic in the area. Another shopping centre is to be built on the site.

Fmr head of State Protocol Service broke integrity rules

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for Corruption Prevention (KPK) has found that former head of JGZ Brdo State Protocol Service Marjan Hribar gave misleading statements about handling former Prime Minister Janez Janša as a client when he rented the lake-front Vila Zlatorog in Bled in 2021. The former head of the JGZ Brdo State Protocol Service, which manages several state-owned protocol buildings was found to have obstructed the work of the anti-graft body by giving misleading statements regarding the lease to Janša.

Pečečnik fails to rescue Prekmurje clothing company, plans to rebrand Costella water

LJUBLJANA - Half a year after acquiring a majority stake in a struggling clothing company in the north-eastern region of Prekmurje, businessman Joc Pečečnik announced that Moda Mi&Lan will go into receivership due to lack of staff. Within two years, more than 50% of the company's roughly 100 employees will have retired, and within 48 months that figure will have increased to 75%, while there is no qualified new staff to be hired. Meanwhile, Pečečnik announced that Costella bottled water will be rebranded Zala, which holds a 50% market share in Slovenia.

President Pirc Musar national vice-champion in bowling

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar has finished second in the national bowling championships in the mixed teams, after winning the national title in the doubles last year. Pirc Musar played alongside Žiga Zalar, Tim Cerkvenik Muzafirovič and Victoria Krivolutskaya in the competition, which took place over the first two weekends of the year, the Slovenian Bowling Federation said on Tuesday.

Film about missing sailor shows price of adventures

LJUBLJANA - A film tracing the lives of Slovenian long-distance sailor Jure Šterk, who disappeared 15 years ago during a sailing trip around the world, and his wife and son premiered in Ljubljana's Kinodvor cinema on Tuesday. The autobiographical drama lifts the veil on the toll Šterk's adventures took on his family. Šterkijada is an intimate portrait of the Šterk family written and directed by the sailor's son, Igor Šterk.

Melania Trump's mother dies

MIAMI, US - Amalija Knavs, the mother of Melania Trump, has died aged 78. The Slovenian-born former US first lady announced the news on X, expressing "deep sadness". She said her mother was "a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy".