News roundup - Wednesday, 12 February

Head of Slovenian community 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 in Varaždin. After being arrested on Tuesday as part of a larger stint, she has been stripped of parliamentary immunity. The Croatian news agency Hina said that investigators believe Antolić Vupora illegally obtained permits with the help of the head of the city's construction department.

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".

Slovenia calls for inclusive transition in Syria

NEW YORK, US - As the UN Security Council held a session on Syria, Slovenia's Ambassador Samuel Žbogar said the transitional authorities have a historic opportunity and responsibility to realise the aspirations of the population. He warned, though, that this would not happen without progress in inclusion, security and accountability for past crimes. Žbogar said that the transition in Syria will be successful only if all residents participated fully, meaning both women and men, and ethnic and religious minorities, and noted that the new united Syria must use the voices of civil society and women.

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.

Prison officers to stage a protest on Thursday

LJUBLJANA - Prison officers will stage a protest on Thursday over staffing shortages, overcrowding and irregularities in the new public sector pay system, the Prison Administration trade unions and the Trade Union of State Bodies, which organise the protest, have announced for the STA. The one-hour protest will begin at 11am in front of all Slovenian prisons and the Radeče correctional centre. Justice Minister Andreja Katič said in response that systemic solutions would be adopted, and Prison Administration head Bojan Majcen said that the prisons "must and will operate normally" during the protest.

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%.

Task force seeking to improve protection of judges, prosecutors

LJUBLJANA - As alleged flaws regarding security of a prosecutor in high-profile drug-trafficking and murder trials have been making headlines for a while, a task force involving government, judiciary and police representatives is examining regulations and measures regarding police providing security for judges and prosecutors. The goal is to change the regulation on police protection of persons, areas and buildings to improve the system. Justice Minister Andreja Katič said that the ultimate goal should be to draft a special bill that would not only set down rights but also duties and limits.

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

ŠKOFLJICA/ZUG, Switzerland - 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.

Animal Protection Act changes to ban battery egg production by 2029

LJUBLJANA - The Ministry of Agriculture presented changes to the Animal Protection Act which, among other things, seek to abolish battery egg production by the end of 2028 and impose mandatory microchipping of cats, while providing a two-year transitional period for the existing owners. Presenting the changes, State Secretary Eva Knez noted that about 15% of hens in Slovenia were still kept in enriched battery cages. While farmer organisations are critical, animal protection groups are happy with the announced changes.

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.

Four more suspects arrested after November mafia-style execution in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Four more individuals - three Slovenian nationals aged 34, 22, and 40, and a 26-year-old Bosnian citizen - have been taken into custody in connection with the mafia-style execution of Bosnian national Satko Zovko that occurred in Ljubljana last November. The arrests, made during coordinated operations on Monday and Tuesday, follow extensive house searches conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). NBI head Darko Muženič confirmed that the arrested individuals are suspected of committing murder and of unauthorised drug trafficking.

US aid freeze also affecting Slovenian-run ITF demining fund

LJUBLJANA - The freeze on US foreign aid is also directly impacting ITF Enhancing Human Security, the Slovenian-run fund for demining and post-conflict assistance to victims has confirmed for the STA. It explained that, since 24 January, a number of projects funded by US donations have been halted and that the measure is affecting the safety of aid recipients. Due to the freeze, the non-profit has halted projects in Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Georgia, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Serbia and Ukraine. Projects supported by other donors are proceeding smoothly.

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.

Roma Association honours best Roma athletes in last year

MURSKA SOBOTA - The Slovenian Roma Association gave out awards to the best Roma athletes in the last year, honouring wrestler Mitja Cener, football player Alja Horvat and the Pušča football club. The association brought back the awards to motivate youth for sport, association president Jožek Horvat Muc told the STA. In the past the sports culture in Roma communities was stronger, they had several football, shooting and other clubs, Horvat Muc said, adding that over time, the interest dwindled. He also noted that Roma athletes and teams often do not have adequate support.

Basketball court to be built on Slovenian-Italian border

NOVA GORICA - The humanitarian foundation of Goran Dragić, one of the greatest Slovenian basketball players ever, will build a basketball court in Nova Gorica at the border with Italy as part of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) project. The two half-courts, which will symbolically connect Slovenia and Italy, are expected to open in June. The two half-courts will be placed in such a way that players, when shooting at one hoop, will be shooting towards Italy, and when shooting at the other, will be shooting towards Slovenia. The facility will also serve as a venue for different ECoC events.