News roundup - Monday, 9 September

Former diplomat Marta Kos new candidate for EU commissioner

LJUBLJANA - Marta Kos, a former diplomat and presidential candidate, was confirmed as Slovenia's new candidate for EU commissioner. She received unanimous endorsement by the government cabinet after the original candidate, former Court of Audit president Tomaž Vesel, withdrew his candidacy last week. Kos said she was honoured and happy to have been endorsed. The opposition said it had not been consulted and pointed out what it perceives as a lack of political experience in Kos.

Slovenia says UN Security Council unity pivotal for UN peacekeeping missions

NEW YORK, US - UN peacekeeping missions cannot succeed without the unity of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Samuel Žbogar stressed at the council's session. Along with other speakers, he reaffirmed the importance of peace operations as the most crucial means of maintaining international peace and security. Beforehand Slovenia and ten other members issued a statement on the urgency of incorporating climate security into the peacekeeping framework.

Slovenia and Andorra confirm action plan for cooperation

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and Andorra endorsed an action plan for cooperation as Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora met Prime Minister Robert Golob. Speaking to the press after their meeting, both prime ministers stressed that the two countries had a lot in common. The action plan sets out details and timelines of cooperation.

Roglič making headlines, receiving praise after Vuelta victory

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian rider Primož Roglič was on the covers of all major Slovenian papers today and was also praised by foreign media after winning his fourth La Vuelta a Espana. He also received congratulations by the country's president after he and his compatriot Tadej Pogačar combined to win all Grand Tour races this season.

Mayors want urgent govt action regarding the Roma

NOVO MESTO - The mayors of four municipalities in south Slovenia where the Roma live have issued a renewed call on the government to take immediate action regarding the Roma, after a girl was shot in an apparent dispute between two families in a Roma settlement over the weekend. "A few field visits by government representatives trying to calm the situation is not enough to address an issue that has much deeper roots," Novo Mesto Mayor Gregor Macedoni said.

SDS remains on top in Delo's poll as ruling party loses ground

LJUBLJANA - Delo's September public opinion poll saw the Democrats (SDS), the largest opposition party, polling at 22.9%, up from 22.6% in August, while Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement was down 0.2 percentage points to 15.5%. The last time the ruling party was ahead of the SDS was a year ago. The coalition Social Democrats (SD) garnered 6.6%, up 1.2 points, and the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) 4.9%, down 0.7 points. The coalition Left placed fifth, gaining 0.1 points to 4.8%.

Regulator clears Croatian company's Panvita purchase

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Competition Protection Agency cleared last week the purchase of a 51% stake in Panvita, Slovenia's leading agri-food company, by the Croatian company Mplus, renamed Bosqar in June. Mplus signed a EUR 50 million contract to acquire the majority stake in Panvita at the start of May and will now start recapitalisation procedures.

Spar Slovenija's revenue up 13.6% to EUR 1.2bn last year

LJUBLJANA - The retailer Spar Slovenija said it recorded EUR 1.2 billion in gross turnover in 2023, a 13.6% increase year-on-year, while pre-tax profit amounted to EUR 21.6 million, with the operating profit margin standing at 1.97%.

Enzo Smrekar elected new presdient of AmCham Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - Enzo Smrekar, a vice president at Croatian multinational Atlantic Grupa, which also has a significant investment presence in Slovenia, has been elected the new president of AmCham Slovenia, said the chamber as it celebrated its 25th anniversary. Smrekar, who also serves as the president of the Ski Association of Slovenia, was appointed at AmCham Slovenia's general assembly to succeed Blaž Brodnjak, the CEO of the bank NLB.

Young Moroccan drowns in border river Kolpa

ČRNOMELJ - A 23-year-old Moroccan citizen drowned in the Kolpa as he tried to cross the river to illegally enter Slovenia from Croatia on Friday evening together with another three foreign nationals. Locals in the area of the village Vukovci in the south-east tried to resuscitate him but failed.

Marjana Moškrič wins another Večernica prize

MARIBOR - The 28th Večernica award for best children's or young adult book of the past year went to Marjana Moškrič for her novel Sneg (Snow) in what is her second Večernica win, the award's sponsor, the newspaper Večer, reported. Sneg is a dystopian novel about teens fighting a totalitarian regime.

Fly with a Book declared best volunteer project of 2023

BRDO PRI KRANJU - A project promoting books and reading among children and youth has won the annual award for the best volunteer project of 2023, as the Slovenian Youth Council honoured the most outstanding volunteers and projects for the 22nd year running.

Region's leading conference organisers meeting in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Conventa Crossover, a regional gathering of professional event organisers and other creatives showcasing a record 44 projects from 16 countries, got under way at Ljubljana's Center Rog. The winners of the Conventa Best Event Award competition will be announced on Tuesday.