News roundup - Thursday, 10 October, until 3 pm

PM says 2025, 2026 budgets accommodate govt priorities

LJUBLJANA - The budgets for 2025 and 2026 continue to follow the priorities of the government, including healthcare, knowledge, innovation, economy, security and resilience, PM Robert Golob said as he presented the budget documents to the National Assembly. The 2025 budget was initially passed in November 2023, with the supplementary version increasing revenue by 4.6% to EUR 15.2 billion and upping expenditure by 8% to EUR 17.1 billion. Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič said the deficit would be at EUR 1.9 billion or 2.6% of GDP next year. In 2026, it is to shrink to EUR 1.2 billion or 1.6% of GDP. The reduction in deficit will be made possible by a 4.5% increase in revenue to EUR 15.9 billion in 2026, while expenditure will remain at the level of 2025, at EUR 17.1 billion.

Pirc Musar meets Zelensky, assures continued support

DUBROVNIK, Croatia - President Nataša Pirc Musar held a bilateral meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Ukraine-South East Europe Summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Wednesday evening, once again assuring Slovenia's continued support for the war-torn country. Zelensky posted that the meeting "primarily focused on the implementation of a bilateral security agreement and further defence support," adding he was grateful for Slovenia's continued support.

NGOs urge parliament to reject nuclear referendum

LJUBLJANA - Several environmental groups and other non-governmental organisations and experts gathered in front of the parliament building to urge MPs inside to vote down the proposal for a consultative referendum on a new unit at the Krško nuclear power station, which they see as a manipulation. The rally took place as the National Assembly is expected to call the referendum for 24 November where voters will be asked whether they "support the implementation of the Krško 2 project, which will ensure a stable supply of electricity together with other low-carbon sources".

Nuclear energy supporters say activists spreading disinformation

LJUBLJANA - A digital platform of nuclear energy supporters going under JedrskaSi rejected today's call by NGOs against a referendum on a new unit at the Krško nuclear power station, saying anti-nuclear activists are spreading disinformation. "Ideological opposition to a clean and reliable energy source is unprofessional and harmful to society," JedrskaSi wrote in a press release. The platform's team mostly comprises marketing and media experts who refer to the expert support of the Nuclear Society of Slovenia.

Swedish multinational takes over Maribor security equipment company

MARIBOR - The Maribor-based security equipment manufacturer Primat has been sold to the Swedish multinational Gunnebo, a leading maker of certified mechanical security solutions. Primat was owned by its former managerial team before becoming a part of the Gunnebo group this week. While not disclosing the value of the deal, CEO Matjaž Andric told the press that the change in ownership brought better opportunities for future development and easier penetration into international markets.

Industrial output in August up 7.2% year-on-year

LJUBLJANA - The total value of industrial output in Slovenia in August was up by 0.4% compared to July and as much as 7.2% year-on-year. The total sales revenue in industry was also up both on the monthly and annual basis, the Statistics Office reported. The total sales revenue in industry was 2.8% higher on a monthly basis in August.

Ex-judge fined EUR 9,000 in slander case linked to high-profile trial

CELJE - Zvjezdan Radonjić, a former judge, was ordered to pay a EUR 9,000 fine for slandering a judge and prosecutor in April 2019 when he delivered a non-guilty verdict in the high-profile case of the 2014 murder of Chemistry Institute boss Janko Jamnik. The judgement in the slander case against Radonjić was declared by the judging panel of the Celje District Court, with the defendant announcing an appeal even before it was spoken.

Fourth conviction for prostitution at Nova Gorica night club

KOPER - A 40-year-old woman from Moldova received a suspended sentence of nine months for complicity in organising prostitution in a night club in Nova Gorica ten years ago. Cristina C.'s three accomplices at the club Faraon pleaded guilty in 2013 and received suspended or prison sentences. Slovenian criminal police carried out the final operation at Faraon in November 2012, and the three men from the area of Nova Gorica were convicted less than a year later.

Theatre actor, director Waltl receives Croatian state decoration

ZAGREB, Croatia/LJUBLJANA - Theatre actor and director Robert Waltl, who heads the Mini Teater theatre in Ljubljana, received the Order of the Croatian Interlace for outstanding contribution to culture and the promotion of Slovenian-Croatian relations. He was handed the state decoration by Croatian President Zoran Milanović on Tuesday. Waltl has established many fruitful collaborations between Slovenian and Croatian cultural institutions in the last 30 years, Mini Teater noted in a press release.

Radio Slovenija journalist wins EU Commission prize

BRUSSELS, Belgium/LJUBLJANA - Neža Borkovič, a young journalist who works as a freelancer for the public broadcaster Radio Slovenija, is one of the three recipients of this year's Megalizzi-Niedzielski prizes for aspiring journalists given out by the European Commission. "I try to do my job with heart, dedication and a great amount of responsibility. I'm overjoyed and honoured that European Commission representatives in Brussels have recognised this at the very start of my career," Borkovič told the STA. She was awarded the prize for a piece about the importance of big open communal spaces in cities that she prepared specifically for the EU programme giving out the prize, Youth4Regions.

Composer and ethnologist Marolt in focus of new exhibition

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Ethnographic Museum will open today an exhibition on the work and heritage of France Marolt (1891-1951), a prominent Slovenian ethnologist, composer and conductor. Marolt worked as choir director for several choirs and adapted folk songs for his choirs. He collected resources on Slovenian folk songs, dances and traditions and opened the Folklore Institute in 1934, which went on to become the Institute of Ethnomusicology, the oldest research institute of the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.