News roundup - Wednesday, 12 February, until 3pm

Slovenian community head in Croatia arrested for corruption

ZAGREB, Croatia - Barbara Antolić Vupora, the head of the Union of Slovenian Associations in Croatia and an MP for Croatia's opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), has been arrested by the Croatian authorities on suspicion of corruption related to permits for renovation work on her home. After being arrested on Tuesday as part of a larger stint that resulted in 14 arrests, she has been stripped of parliamentary immunity.

Liquidation of state-owned sheltered workshop annulled

ŠKOFJA LOKA/LJUBLJANA - The general assembly of CSS annulled its mid-January decision to send the state-owned sheltered workshop into liquidation, which was deemed a more favourable solution for workers than receivership. The decision comes after Labour Minister Luka Mesec ordered the annulment in line with the legislation on the employment of disabled people. The general assembly also dismissed administrator Uroš Zarnik, who previously served as CSS director, and appointed Mariana Karla Rebernik a new director. Mesec welcomed the decision, saying "it's a very good sign that there is a will to save the company".

Opposition critical of amendments to municipality funding law

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, Public Administration and Local Government discussed on Tuesday changes to the law on municipal funding that aim to reduce development gaps and set out criteria to ensure dedicated spending for Roma communities. The proposal increases the maximum amount of municipalities' borrowing from 10% to 15%, and allows municipalities to issue municipal bonds. The opposition was critical of the segment involving dedicated spending for Roma communities.

Top judge hopeful universal first-instance judge be enacted soon

LJUBLJANA - Supreme Court President Miodrag Đorđević said Slovenian courts worked well last year, as he addressed an event marking the start of a new judicial year. He is hopeful that the concept of a universal first-instance judge will be introduced this year, something that in his view the system desperately needs. Last year, Slovenian courts received more than 829,000 matters and concluded over 825,000. In contrast to the previous years, the number of cases received last year has increased, growing by 5% over 2023. Meanwhile, the number of resolved matters increased by 1%.

Swiss-owned EV charging business to be wound down, reports suggest

ŠKOFLJICA/ZUG - The Škofljica-based EV charging stations maker, formerly known as Etrel and considered a leader in its field, will very likely be liquidated, media reports suggest after its current owner, the Swiss group Landis+Gyr, announced that it was withdrawing from EV charging infrastructure and would liquidate that part of the group. Landis+Gyr acquired 75% in Etrel in 2021 and the rest in April 2024, also moving the company from Grosuplje to Škofljica and renaming it Landis+Gyr EV Solutions. The company employs 180 people and has seen a strong growth in revenue over the past years.

Unior staff number down by 218 in second half of 2024

ZREČE - The number of staff at the Unior group, a state-owned tool maker and automotive supplier, was cut by 218 between July 2024 and the end of last year. While 111 employees were laid off, others retired or quit the job, CEO Robert Vuga said in an interview with the local weekly Novice. He said no major lay-offs were planned currently. "I think the main part of the departures is behind us, but of course it is very important that there is no significant drop in orders. Some employees will leave the company this year, in particular due to the gradual closure of the machine manufacture division," Vuga told Novice.

Medis wins German Economy Award

LJUBLJANA - Medis, a company marketing medicines and medical devices, has won this year's German Economy Award, presented by the German-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the German Embassy and the IEDC Bled School of Management. This year the judging panel focused on good employers. Medis is a Slovenian company marketing innovative medicines, medical devices and over-the-counter products for more than 60 pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Founded in 1989, it employs almost 400 people, including staff abroad.

Slovenian companies committed to reducing carbon emissions

LJUBLJANA - As many as 97% of Slovenian companies have taken measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is the second highest share in Europe, a survey conducted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has shown. Only Finland has a higher share (99%), while Slovenia shares the second place with Luxembourg, followed by France and Malta (both 96%). The EIB says in the 2024 report that in Slovenia companies invest more in less polluting technologies and sustainable practices than companies elsewhere in the EU.

Nadja Velušček honoured by guild of film directors

LJUBLJANA - The Directors' Guild of Slovenia has honoured Nadja Velušček, known for her documentaries about life along the border with Italy, with its annual lifetime achievement award for film and TV directing. The jury said that through her films the specific identity of the Goriška region and locals has acquired its own face, voice and expression.

Music artists from 27 countries at MENT festival

LJUBLJANA - The 11th edition of the MENT music festival and conference is opening at Ljubljana's Kino Šiška today, featuring an eclectic line-up of 83 artists from a record 27 countries, including BBC radio host and DJ Gilles Peterson. The festival focuses on promoting emerging talent, fostering creativity and facilitating networking opportunities within the music industry.