News roundup - Thursday, 22 February, until 3pm

NLB group's net profit up by 23% in 2023

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest banking group NLB posted EUR 550.7 million in net profit in 2023, up 23% on the year before, show the group's results. Net operating income totalled EUR 1.09 billion, an increase of 37%. NLB chairman Blaž Brodnjak said the good results would allow a significant increase in this year's dividend payout. Profit before impairments and provisions increased by 75% to EUR 591.4 million, net interest revenue was up by 65% to EUR 833.3 million, while net non-interest revenue decreased by 11% to EUR 260 million.

Injured caver rescued after 18 hours

LJUBLJANA - An injured caver has been rescued from a cave near Kočevje in the south of the country 18 hours after he slipped and plunged about six metres deep to around 160 metres underground. Walter Zakrajšek, the head of the cave rescue service, described the rescue operation as excellent. He told the STA that the injured caver recovered from dizziness, which enabled the rescuers to pull him out without a stretcher, which made the rescue operation significantly shorter. His assessment is that the caver is in excellent condition except for injuries to his ribs and right elbow.

Healthcare services not expected to be disrupted as of 1 March

LJUBLJANA - The heads of healthcare institutions at the secondary and tertiary levels presented to the government work plans for after 1 March, when the withdrawals of overtime work consents of doctors as part of their strike will enter into force. The continuity of services is not expected to be disrupted, but some non-urgent services will not be provided, said the directors.

ECHR tells govt to pay EUR 390,000 in damage to surgeon Dolenc over Israel case

STRASBOURG, France - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the government must pay neurosurgeon Vinko Dolenc EUR 390,000 in damages plus VAT and interest. It found that Dolenc had suffered material damage because Slovenian courts had recognised Israeli court judgments in proceedings incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR previously awarded Dolenc EUR 15,600 in damages for non-pecuniary costs, but it now expanded its ruling to include the EUR 390,000 in pecuniary damage plus VAT and interest.

Scattered protests by farmers continue

PTUJ/MURSKA SOBOTA/CELJE/GORNJA RADGONA - Several protest rallies by farmers were staged again in north-eastern Slovenia, which farmer representatives said are meant as support to the EU-wide protests and to again put the spotlight on the main grievances raised in recent months. The protection of farmland in the face of planned anti-flooding measures that could encroach on it, more support for farms in less-favoured area, less red tape and taxation, and more local food in institutions were some of the demands highlighted at the rallies held in Murska Sobota, Gornja Radgona, Ptuj and Celje.

Consumer confidence decreases slightly in February

LJUBLJANA - The consumer confidence indicator for Slovenia was down by one percentage point in February over the month before and up by five points year-on-year. It was still six points below the long-term average, the Statistics Office said. The drop on a monthly basis is attributed mostly to the more pessimistic expectations regarding the state of the country's economy and the expectations regarding the future financial situation in the household (down by two points each).