Below is a review of today’s news in Slovenia, summarised by the headlines in the daily newspapers for Friday, December 7, 2018, as prepared by the STA:
DELO
Trade wars
"Trump and Xi take gloves off": The truce between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jiping is over as Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, was arrested in Canada at the US's request. (front page, 6)
Bad bank
"Deal in Logatec sweeps away BAMC boss": The disputed land deals by the Bank Asset Management Company (BAMC) in Logatec got Miha Jugart, the head of the bad bank's management board, fired, with businessman Tomaž Besek appointed in his place. He is reportedly close to the Social Democrats (SD) and the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ). (front page, 11)
Economy
"Higher wages only with greater productivity": Aleksander Zalaznik, the chair of the Manager Association, stressed at yesterday's panel debate that the time is coming when employers in Slovenia will need to start thinking about how to secure higher wages. (front page, 10)
DNEVNIK
Catalan leader visiting
"Catalan call of freedom in Ljubljana": Catalan President Quim Torra was received informally in Ljubljana on Thursday by President Borut Pahor and he had a coffee with parliamentary Speaker Dejan Židan. He is happy that Slovenia is "breaking the silence surrounding Catalonia." (front page, 2)
Catalonia
"Riots in Girona on anniversary of Spanish constitution": Police clashed with protesters in the Catalan city of Girona as they gathered in an attempt to prevent a rally marking the 40th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution of Spain, which also featured members of the right-wing populist party Vox. (front page)
Pensions
"Challenge for future pensioners and governments too": If Slovenia wants to keep public expenditure for pensions expressed in GDP at the same level, labour productivity needs to be increased, with one option being raising the employment rate among older persons. (front page, 3)
FINANCE
State aid
"Who got the most?": The state paid out EUR 427.2m in aid to companies and various institutions last year, which is 13.9% more than in 2016. The paper analyses for what purposes the money was spent and who got the most. (front page, 4)
Energy prices
"OPEC will reduce production, expects higher energy prices": The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will decide today how much it will reduce its daily production of oil. They expect that Russia will endorse the decision again. (front page, 2-3)
Central bank governor candidate
"These are the main viewpoints of Boštjan Vasle": The nominee for the new governor of Banka Slovenije Boštjan Vasle presented his bid to the press yesterday, while the National Assembly will take a vote on him at the session starting on 14 December. (front page, 10-11)
Government staffing
"Changes in BAMC and SSH": The government appointed Tomaž Besek as a new non-executive director of the Bank Asset Management Company (BAMC) and Karmen Dietner as the fifth member of the supervisory board of Slovenia Sovereign Holding (SSH). (front page, 5)
VEČER
Chimney sweeps
"Dangerous for people and environment": As the temperatures are dropping and the heating season is in full swing, chimney sweeps and inspections are warning that heating devices on solid fuel that do not meet the environmental standards are still on the market. (front page, 4)
December festivities
"City with a confused Advent": Maribor was the first to turn on Christmas lights on its streets, but the Advent events in the centre of Slovenia's second largest city lack a concept and strategy and also a little bit of taste, the paper says. (front page, 10-11)
Government staffing
"Necessary staff or consolation prizes": The government wants to appoint additional state secretaries in the ministries of health, education and economy and in two government offices, with the proposals running into some opposition. (front page, 3)
Biathlon World Cup
"Fak does not want to be an old cat": In his first appearance at the Biathlon World Cup, Slovenia's Jakov Fak narrowly missed on a podium finish. He has announced a full attack mode for today's 10-km sprint. (front page, 24)
