News roundup - Wednesday, 5 February

No progress in talks on new ombudsman candidate

LJUBLJANA - Following two rounds of talks with deputy groups, President Nataša Pirc Musar has realised that another round will be needed to agree on a candidate for human rights ombudsman. This week she expanded the talks to other appointments, of a judge at the EU court and a deputy president of the Court of Audit. In the coming week, will she consult deputy groups on ombudsman candidates again. "The president considers a new round of talks with the deputy groups would be significantly facilitated by at least a coalition-agreed position," her office said.

Slovenia critical of Trump's plan for Gaza Strip

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon assessed that the announcements by US President Donald Trump on the takeover of the Gaza Strip and resettlement of the Palestinians from the enclave show a serious lack of knowledge of the history of the Palestinian people and regional geopolitical facts. She said forced displacement of Palestinians is an unacceptable move that violates international law and would only exacerbate tensions in the Middle East. In a separate statement, the Foreign Ministry said history clearly showed that "such policies deepen the cycle of suffering, instability and injustice."

Fajon expresses support for Lebanon during political transition

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon ended her two-day visit to Lebanon. In talks with high officials she reiterated the support to the country in a time of political transition and stressed that maintaining peace is key for Lebanon and the region. Fajon met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.

Slovenia expresses solidarity with Sweden over school campus shooting

LJUBLJANA - In the face of a shooting at an education centre in central Sweden in which 10 people were killed, Prime Minister Robert Golob said evening this was an "awful and very sad day for Sweden". "Our thoughts are with the victims and all the Swedish people in this difficult and painful moment," he was quoted as saying on the government's profile on X. The Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply shocked by the tragic shooting."

Minister lets agri chamber keep advisory service

LJUBLJANA - Following a meeting with Agricultural and Forestry Chamber (KGZS) head Jože Podgoršek, Agriculture Minister Mateja Čalušić announced a withdrawal of the most contentious provision in the proposed agricultural reform, the transfer of the public agricultural advisory service from the KGZS to a new body at the ministry. The public consultation period for the reform package has been extended as well. Čalušić stressed the importance of dialogue and broad discussion, while Podgoršek agreed that solutions must be found to improve the service's operation.

Novartis launches viral vector production facility in Mengeš

MENGEŠ - Swiss pharma company Novartis launched a new viral vector production facility, its first of this kind in Europe, in an investment valued at EUR 40 million. VIFA One brings new technology in support of production of breakthrough cell and gene therapies to Slovenia. It enables precise and efficient production of viral vectors for cell and gene therapies to treat certain autoimmune and genetic diseases, as well as cancers, Novartis executives said.

Motorway operator posts record revenue in 2024

LJUBLJANA - The national motorway operator DARS posted a record EUR 583 million in revenue last year, a 7% increase year-on-year, as net profit rose by 6% to EUR 153 million. Revenue generated through electronic tolling was up by 5% to EUR 534 million, the bulk of which from truck tolling, where revenue was up by 3% to EUR 275 million. Management board member David Skornšek said that growth was driven by higher tolling revenue coupled with lower costs.

Telcos, publishers unhappy with reform media bill

LJUBLJANA - Telecoms operators at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Slovenian Media Association at the Slovenian Advertising Chamber. They said that media legislation is in need of a reform, but that the proposed bill has some shortcomings.
They believe the bill would enable political favouritism, give too much power to certain agencies, and reduce media pluralism and independence.

Cinkarna Celje's net profit up 80% to EUR 22.8m in 2024

CELJE - Chemical company Cinkarna Celje saw its sales revenue rise by 13% to EUR 200.3 million in 2024, while net profit was up 80% compared to the year before to top EUR 22.8 million. The rise in sales was driven primarily by higher volumes and prices of titanium dioxide pigment, the company announced.

Registered jobless total in January down 2.8% y/y to 50,148

LJUBLJANA - A total of 50,148 people were registered as unemployed at the end of January, which is 6.6% more than in December 2024 and 2.8% less year-on-year, the Employment Service reported. In January, 8,430 people registered with the Employment Service anew, which is 51.5% more than in December 2024 and 9% less than in the same month last year.

Culture generates 2.8% of country's GDP

LJUBLJANA - One out of three Slovenians attended at least one cultural event in 2022, most often concerts, the Statistics Office said ahead of Culture Day, a public holiday. The entire cultural sector contributed 2.8% to Slovenia's GDP, which is on a par with 2019. Domestic production accounted for nearly 70% of total cultural supply in the country, while the rest was imported. The share of net taxes was 3.7%.

Capital of Culture denies collaboration with Alpacem

NOVA GORICA - The main organiser of the Nova Gorica-Gorizia Capital of Culture project denied allegations of collaboration with Alpacem, the company operating a cement factory in Anhovo, after several NGOs and trade unions called on it to terminate the partnership. It said that does not cooperate with Alpacem, either financially or through its own programme production.