News roundup - Thursday, 22 August

Merger of NKBM and SKB formally completed

LJUBLJANA - The merger of Slovenia's second and third largest banks, NKBM and SKB, has been formally completed. The bank, which will be renamed OTP Banka shortly, will be the second largest player on the banking market, close behind NLB. The formal merger was completed when SKB ceased to exist as an independent entity and was merged into NKBM. The bank will be headquartered in Ljubljana. In operational terms - IT support, client support and the numbering and branding of bank accounts - the merger will be completed by 2 September.

Watchdog resumes inquiry against PM Golob

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption said it had decided to resume an inquiry against Prime Minister Robert Golob over suspected meddling in police work, which was suspended in January in the interest of a pre-trial procedure. "The grounds for suspension are no longer there," the watchdog said after receiving notification from the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office to that effect. The inquiry relates to accusations by Tatjana Bobnar, the first interior minister in Golob's government, that the prime minister had tried to pressure her regarding the appointment of senior police officers.

Melita Gabrič new Foreign Ministry state secretary

LJUBLJANA - Career diplomat Melita Gabrič was appointed a new state secretary at the Foreign Ministry filling the post vacated by Sanja Štiglic after she was appointed ambassador to the UK, and joining Marko Štucin. She will take over on 2 September. Gabrič, who holds a PhD in international relations, is coming to the ministry from the post of head of EU mission in Canada, the most senior position any Slovenian diplomat achieved in the EU diplomatic service.

President calls for gender equality in UN during visit to Mongolia

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - During her state visit to Mongolia, President Nataša Pirc Musar attended the opening of the World Women's Forum where she stressed the importance of women's rights and called for gender equality in UN leadership. She congratulated Mongolia on the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. "In the nearly 79-year history, the UN General Assembly has been presided by 74 men and only four women," she said, adding that this imbalance is unacceptable.

Slovenia joins supporters of UN's New Agenda for Peace

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia, Switzerland and Sierra Leone have launched a joint initiative in support of the New Agenda for Peace, a policy brief of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, which focuses on the prevention of armed conflicts. They expressed their concern over the rise of armed conflicts and pledged efforts for proactive and comprehensive prevention. The countries pledged to help build local and global capacities for peace by promoting economic growth, eradicating poverty, supporting sustainable development, promoting national reconciliation, good governance and democracy, and supporting human rights.

Ambassador Žbogar says children biggest victims of war in Gaza

NEW YORK, US - Children are the biggest victims of the war in Gaza, said Slovenia's Ambassador on the UN Security Council Samuel Žbogar at a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East. He endorsed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's call for a ceasefire during the polio vaccination of children. "The region is at the brink of collapse, including along the Blue Line, by the Red Sea and elsewhere," said Žbogar, calling all sides to abstain from further attacks and threatening rhetoric.

Minister pledges security in Roma crime areas

KOČEVJE/RIBNICA - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar met the mayors of Kočevje and Ribnica promising beefed up police presence in SE Slovenia to improve security amid endemic crime involving members of the Roma community. He said that legislation is being reviwed to see if it could be improved, while he is also to meet Justice Minister Andreja Katič to discuss it her ministry could do. More details about police measures will be presented by the police commissiner on Friday.

SDS wants emergency session on Roma violence, ruling MPs agree

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Democrats (SDS) tabled a request for an emergency session of parliament to discuss recommendations to the government to address Roma issues. The recommendations include developing systemic solutions within three months to enhance citizen safety, protecting citizens' property and ensuring safety of officials in Roma settlements, increasing police powers in cases of group violence and strengthening police presence in high-incident areas. The request was also signed by the opposition NSi and by the majority of ruling Freedom Movement MPs.

Govt proposes changes to speed up flood recovery

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted changes to the flood relief and reconstruction law changing spatial planning processes to speed up recovery after last year's August floods and adjusting the loan guarantee scheme to make it more favourable for homeowners affected by the floods. The bill addresses challenges that emerged in the implementation of the law, which was passed last year, the Finance Ministry said after the government session.

Govt adopts bill on crypto asset markets

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a bill on crypto asset markets with the aim to transpose into national law the EU regulation on markets in crypto assets, which was adopted last year and aims to protect investors by increasing transparency. The Bank of Slovenia and the Securities Market Agency will be the competent authorities to issue and withdraw permits and to monitor crypto assets service providers.

Doctors, dentists want additional raise due to work specifics

LJUBLJANA - The Fides trade union of doctors and dentists presented to the press a set of new demands as part of its ongoing strike, including an additional raise for doctors and dentists, arguing it takes them longer to gain proper credentials and they also have greater responsibility. The new demands were sent to the government on Tuesday, and Fides would like them to implemented after an agreement has been reached to eliminate wage disparities in the public sector. Responding, Health Minister Valentina Prevolnik Rupel said the matter could have been arranged earlier if Fides had participated in the talks on the separate wage pillar for healtcare. She again urged Fides to join the talks.

Average net wage up 0.6% in real terms in June

LJUBLJANA - The average wage in Slovenia in June amounted to EUR 2,366.79 gross or 1,501.97 net, which is slightly more than in May - 1% in nominal and 0.6% in real terms, the Statistics Office reported. Year-on-year, the average gross wage in June was up by 5.2%, and the average net wage by 2.6%. In June, the average wage in the public sector (EUR 2,701.33) was higher than in the private sector (EUR 2,214.91 gross).

Luka Koper net profit up 3% in first six months

KOPER - Port operator Luka Koper saw its revenue grow by 3% to EUR 163.3 million in the first half of 2024 and net profit just as much to EUR 32.8 million. The company labelled the results as good, adding that most financial indicators exceeded the planned targets. However, total transshipment amounted to 11.3 million tonnes of cargo, down 1% from the same period in 2023. Luka Koper launched an investment cycle at the start of the year, investing EUR 20.7 million in the first six months, up 7% year-on-year.

Insurer Triglav's net profit up seven-fold in H1

LJUBLJANA - Zavarovalnica Triglav, Slovenia's largest insurer, saw net profit grow by 659% in January-June, to EUR 75.4 million, even as total business volume and gross written premium declined year-on-year, shows an earnings report. Total business volume was down by 2% to EUR 943 million, whereas gross written premiums dropped by 3% to EUR 868 million. However, when factoring in the effect of the shortfall in national voluntary health insurance, which was abolished at the end of last year, it recorded a 9% growth in total business volume. On good news, the Triglav stock gained 7.34% on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

Italian drug trafficking ring leader on the run arrested in Slovenia

KOPER - Koper police, in collaboration with Italian authorities and the European judicial agency Eurojust, have arrested the leader of an Italian crime syndicate hiding in Slovenia. The 40-year-old Calabria-born head of a ring that trafficked cocaine throughout Italy was on the run from a 21-year prison sentence. Aside from drug trafficking, he has been found guilty robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, kidnapping and the illegal possession of weapons.

Slovenia's Černivec appointed VP of new WNBA team from Oakland

OAKLAND, US - Slovenian basketball executive Vanja Černivec has been appointed the vice president of basketball operations of the newly-established WNBA team Golden State Valkyries, based in Oakland. This is a third prominent managerial post in basketball for the 42-year-old former player from Maribor. The Golden State Valkyries are scheduled to begin play in 2025 as a member of the WNBA.

Lobbyist association calls for legislation overhaul

LJUBLJANA - The Association for Lawful Lobbying believes a report by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption shows that legislative changes are overdue. The statement comes after the corruption watchdog recently said that lobbying regulations were inadequate and that 98% of lobbying activities were performed by people who are not registered lobbyists.

Bohinj wildfire put out

BOHINJ - A wildfire that broke out in very steep terrain west of Lake Bohin in the Triglav National Park was put out on Wednesday afternoon. The fire had spread across only 100 square metres, but posed a significant threat of spreading under ground along the craggy terrain. A helicopter and Slovenia's two Air Tractor fire fighting aircraft were a part of the effort.

Another WWII bomb found in Nova Gorica

NOVA GORICA - Another WWII unexploded aerial bomb was discovered at the Nova Gorica train station near the border with Italy. The bomb could be deactivated on Sunday but the local authorities have to coordinate the effort with Italian local authorities. The 226kg bomb is the seventh one found in Nova Gorica during the renovation of its train station. An estimated 6,000 bombs remain unexploded in Slovenia after the allies bombed the country as part of bombings of Europe to defeat Nazi Germany.