News roundup - Friday, 8 November, until 3pm

Golob says it is on Europe to be competitive

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Prime Minister Robert Golob said that Europe should know how to get on its feet as he arrived to an informal summit of EU leaders in Budapest dedicated to competitiveness of the EU and relations with Georgia. Slovenia has had this knowledge for some time and that is why it is increasingly investing in research, the prime minister said.

Govt, trade unions rushing to meet deadline to seal public sector pay reform

LJUBLJANA - The government and public sector trade unions initialled an annex to the collective bargaining agreement for the non-corporate sector and a general agreement that brings some pledges, in what is yet another step towards sealing the ongoing wage reform. The talks on wages in individual segments of the public sector, the so-called pillar talks, are still ongoing.

Petrol becomes virtually sole owner of Geoplin

LJUBLJANA - Fuel retailer Petrol and the state, represented by Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH), completed on Thursday the second step of the share swap agreement on Geoplin and Plinhold, after the fulfilment of conditions. Petrol's stake in gas supplier Geoplin has thus increased to 99.35%, while its stake in Plinhold is now 12.72%.

Legal dispute involving Bia Separations heats up

LJUBLJANA - The receiver of the Austrian company Bia Separations, Michael Wagner, has stepped up legal proceedings against the company's former subsidiary in Slovenia. After filing a lawsuit against the Slovenian company of the same name, he also filed a criminal complaint against it and the man who ran it for allegedly cheating them out of the subsidiary. He is suing what is now Sartorius Bia Separations for nearly EUR 83 million.

Ministry and top court condemn attack on judge's house

LJUBLJANA - The Justice Ministry and the Supreme Court condemned a recent attack on the house of a Brežice judge where a fire was set on Wednesday night causing EUR 250,000 worth of damage. The attack was unacceptable and it is an attack on the principles of the rule of law, the ministry wrote in a press release. The Supreme Court also condemned the attack, calling it highly concerning and unacceptable.

Ljubljana University Incubator becomes EIT project hub

Ljubljana - The Ljubljana University Incubator has become the hub for all projects of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in Slovenia. The incubator will work to bring together companies, educational and research institutions and local talents as well as to reduce disparity in innovation between regions.

Iranian woman found killed in Ljubljana Airport car park

BRNIK - A woman, reportedly an Iranian citizen, was found killed in one of the car parks in the Ljubljana Airport area on Friday morning. The victim was stabbed multiple times, and the perpetrator, believed to be a foreign national as well, is on the run and has likely already fled the country.

Clerk suspected of corruption in issuing permits for foreigners

VRHNIKA - Ljubljana criminal police are investigating an employee at the Administrative Unit in Vrhnika, south of Ljubljana, who is suspected of having expeditiously arranged various permits for foreigners without complying with the regulations. She has allegedly engaged in the unlawful activity for about two years, according to Dnevnik.

Report: Teacher given suspended sentence for filming children

AJDOVŠČINA - The Koper Higher Court upheld a suspended sentence for a 29-year-old former gym teacher who was convicted earlier this year for filming and taking pictures of school children in a changing room, media reported. In March 2022 the Ajdovščina primary school discovered that their gym teacher was filming 11- and 12-year-old school children in the school changing room. The school fired the teacher and the Nova Gorica police started investigating the case.

St Martin's Day celebrations to take over the country

MARIBOR - Slovenia will celebrate wine this weekend with some celebrations spilling over into Monday, St Martin's Day, when according to old custom, grape must turns into wine. Winemakers will celebrate with a bitter taste in their mouths as this year's harvest was hit by frost, heavy rain and droughts. While many events are organised across the country, the largest one is held in Maribor.

Olimpija victorious, Celje defeated after last-minute goal

HELSINKI, Finland/SEVILLE, Spain - Ljubljana's Olimpija beat HJK Helsinki 2:0 in the third round of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday evening, while Celje had to concede defeat to Betis Sevilla after the Spanish club scored an extra-time goal. Ljubljana will play their next match at home on 28 November against Larne F.C., a Northern Irish club, and Celje's next game will also be in their home town on 28 November as they face Poland's Jagiellonia.