News roundup - Tuesday, 4 June, until 3pm

Miljenko Jergović wins Vilenica Prize

LJUBLJANA - Miljenko Jergović, a Bosnian-born Croatian author, is the winner of the 2024 Vilenica Prize for Central European literature, given out by the Slovenian Writers' Association for outstanding achievements in literature and essay writing. He will receive it at the end of the Vilenica International Literary Festival, taking place between 2 and 7 September in Ljubljana and the region of Kras.

Floods, landslides reported in NE

GORNJA RADGONA/RADENCI - The storms that hit Slovenia on Monday have caused flooding and landslides in the northeast. Some 100 houses were flooded in Boračeva in the Radenci municipality and several landslides were triggered in the Gornja Radgona area. In Črešnjevci one family had to be evacuated due to a looming landslide. Heavy storms with strong winds and hail were reported also in the Celje, Maribor, Murska Sobota and Ptuj areas.

Slovenia's exports up 49% in April, imports up 34%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's merchandise exports rose by 48.8% in April year-on-year, while imports increased by 33.8%. Trade with non-EU countries increased sharply, mainly due to a high growth in reexports in trade with Switzerland, Statistics Office data shows. Slovenian companies exported EUR 5.85 billion of goods in April, including EUR 2.68 billion to EU member states and EUR 3.17 billion to other countries. Export to EU member states grew by 9.1% year-on-year, while export to non-EU countries increased by 114.7%.

Insurance industry robust and stable, agency says

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian insurance industry manages over ten billion euros in assets and last year it once again proved its resilience and adaptability to challenging conditions, the Agency for Insurance Supervision (AZN) said, pointing to the many challenges ahead, including the macroeconomic situation, geopolitical tensions, and climate change.

Insurer Triglav allocates EUR 39.8m out of EUR 87.8m for dividends

LJUBLJANA - Shareholders of Zavarovalnica Triglav, led by state assets custodian SSH and public pension fund manager ZPIZ, approved the management's proposal that has the country's largest insurer allocating EUR 39.8 million or EUR 1.75 gross per share for dividends. New supervisory board members Rok Ponikvar and Barbara Nose were also appointed.

Most parties in favour of preferential vote in TV Slovenija debate

LJUBLJANA - Public broadcaster TV Slovenija hosted a referendum face-off on the introduction of a preferential vote in general elections on Monday evening with supporters stressing the increased influence of voters on the election of MPs and opponents warning of ambiguities regarding the new system.

EU could do more to attract health staff

LJUBLJANA - Parties running in the EU election in Slovenia largely agree that the EU is better prepared for a potential new pandemic post-Covid and that it should boost its independence in production of medicines. Their views on how to attract more health staff through better working conditions and pay plus legal migrants are also not that different.

New EUR 1m facility launched at IJS in pursuit of fusion energy

LJUBLJANA - The Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS) officially launched on Monday a new facility at its TRIGA nuclear research reactor meant to advance fusion energy technology. The aim is to study how and why intense radiation occurs during the cooling of fusion reactors so as to enable a safer environment for research and improved reactor performance.

Composer's award goes to Ambrož Čopi

LJUBLJANA - Composer Ambrož Čopi won the Kozina Award given out by the Slovenian Composers' Association. The award honours his comprehensive vocal opus, considered a significant contribution to Slovenian vocal music. Despite leaning on tradition, Čopi's work is marked by his distinctive aesthetic and his sense for different dimensions of poetry, the judging panel said.

Court orders receivership for T-2 contractor Gratel

LJUBLJANA - Receivership for Gratel, the fibre-optic network contractor of telecommunications operator T-2, was launched by the Ljubljana District Court upon the proposal of Slovenia Sovereign Holding. The latter holds at least EUR 10.8 million in claims towards Gratel and also filed a receivership proposal for T-2 in April. Both companies are controlled by the businessman Jurij Krč.

HSE begins siting for floating solar plant in Šoštanj

ŠOŠTANJ - The national power utility HSE has presented its plans for Slovenia's first floating solar plant, opening an info point on Monday n Šoštanj, where the plant is to be located. The plant is to span half the available area of the Družmirje Lake and is expected to produce around 140 GWh of electricity annually with a peak power of up to 140 MW.

13 persons charged in extensive drug sting

CELJE - The Celje police concluded an extensive illicit drugs investigation last week, charging 13 Slovenian citizens aged 28 to 51 with unlawful production of and trade in illicit drugs, Aleš Slapnik from the Celje criminal investigation unit said. The suspects are looking at between five and 15 years in prison.