News roundup - Thursday, 30 January, until 3pm

Ljubljana, 30 January - Below is a roundup of major events on Thursday, 30 January, until 3pm local time:

Legislative changes announced as students injured in Ljubljana student dorm fire

LJUBLJANA - Three people were injured as a fire broke out in a dormitory housing secondary school students in Poljanska Street in Ljubljana in the early hours today. Eleven people needed medical assistance, many of them because they jumped from the first floor to escape the fire. Šemso Mujanović, the head of the dorm, told the press that there was no fire escape or fire alarm in the DIC buildings because that was not legally required. Education Minister Vinko Logaj announced legislative changes to improve fire safety.

Korean provider drops out of Krško 2 project

LJUBLJANA - Korean nuclear reactor maker KHNP is no longer in contention to build the second unit at the Krško nuclear power station, narrowing the selection to EDF of France and US provider Westinghouse, power station owner Gen Energija revealed today. Gen Energija, the state-run energy firm running the project, had invited all three providers to prepare a feasibility study, having previously determined that the three are suitable because Slovenia does not want Chinese or Russian nuclear technology.

Coalition MP leaves party to start new faction with SDS defectors

LJUBLJANA - Freedom Movement deputy Tine Novak has left the party's deputy group and will join independent MPs Anže Logar and Eva Irgl, who split away from the opposition Democratic Party (SDS) last year, to form a new parliamentary faction. Freedom Movement deputy group leader Nataša Avšič Bogovič told the press the group was surprised by his decision, and even more disappointed when it heard that he was joining Logar's Democrats.

New state secretary appointed at Defence Ministry

LJUBLJANA - The government appointed Boštjan Pavlin as state secretary at the Defence Ministry to replace Damir Črnčec, who submitted his resignation last week. Pavlin, director general of the ministry's Defence Affairs Directorate, was described by Defence Minister Borut Sajovic as the key operative in last autumn's Resilience 2024 national crisis management and response drill.

Krka revenue up 6% to record EUR 1.91bn, profit by 13% to EUR 353m in 2024

LJUBLJANA - Drug maker Krka increased group revenue by 6% in 2024 to a record EUR 1.91 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached EUR 518.2 million. Estimated net profit was up 13% to EUR 353.4 million. "We recorded the strongest sales since incorporation and saw sales grow in the majority of our markets, most substantially in region East Europe," CEO Jože Colarič said.

EIB group provided EUR 284m for Slovenia last year

LJUBLJANA/LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided EUR 284 million to Slovenia in 2024, the group said. Funds from the EIB totalled EUR 154 million and targetted energy projects, while investments from the European Investment Fund (EIF) amounted to EUR 130 million, focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Pharma exec confirmed as head of public health insurer

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed the appointment of Robert Ljoljo, former CEO of pharma company Lek, as the general director of public health insurer ZZZS. The vote was 49:2, with Ljoljo receiving support from the ruling Freedom Movement Party, the junior coalition SocDems and the opposition New Slovenia (NSi). The MPs of the opposition Democratic Party (SDS) and the junior coalition Left abstained.

Pay regulation introduced for freelance artists

LJUBLJANA - Parliament passed in a 50:30 vote changes to the Exercise of Public Interest in Culture Act introducing minimum hourly rates for freelance artists when they collaborate with public cultural institutions and agencies. The changes were backed by coalition MPs, while the opposition said they give too much powers to the government.

Pensions for artists passed in re-vote, opposition pushes for referendum

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed in a revote a bill granting top artists a special pension allowance after it was vetoed by the upper chamber of parliament, which argued that it is vague and discriminatory to other professions. The Democratic Party (SDS) announced a referendum on the bill. The bill, passed in a 51:28 vote, stipulates that the recipients of 23 national prizes and awards, including the Prešeren Prize, the highest award in Slovenia for lifetime achievements in the arts, will be eligible for the allowance.

Mandatory computer classes in primary school rejected by MPs

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly rejected changes to the Primary School Act proposed by the Democratic Party (SDS) which would introduce mandatory computer and information science classes to primary schools. The MPs decided in a 26:48 vote that the changes were not suitable for future consideration. SDS and New Slovenia (NSi) MPs voted for the bill, while coalition MPs voted against.

MPs pass stricter law on hooliganism, restraining orders

LJUBLJANA - Parliament passed in a 50:8 vote a government-sponsored bill that allows police officers to issue a five-year match attendance ban to violent spectators at sporting events, and expands the eligibility for filing for an extension of a restraining order. The changes to the Police Tasks and Powers Act harmonise Slovenian law with EU law, requirements of the European Court of Justice and the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the extension of restraining orders related to specific persons or places.

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