Daily headlines - Wednesday, 17 February

DELO

Balance of power in parliament
"DeSUS deputies returning to coalition": The governing bodies of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) will discuss in the coming days on what to do after DeSUS president Karl Erjavec failed to get sufficient support as candidate for PM-designate. DeSUS deputies are being wooed back into the coalition with a proposed cooperation agreement. (front page, 2)

Covid-19
"European epicentre of spreading of disease": Germany has extended the closure of its border with the Austrian state of Tyrol, when a large number of people has gotten infected with the South African strain of Covid-19. (front page, 5)

Biathlon
"Czechs celebrate, will Slovenians be celebrating today?": After the free Monday, competitions at the Biathlon World Championships continued on Tuesday with Marketa Davidova of the Czech Republic winning the women's 15-kilometre race. Today, Slovenia's Jakov Fak will be in contention for medals in the men's 20-kilometre event. (front page, 18)

DNEVNIK

Investments
"European millions for Ljubljana region": Ljubljana can look forward to a significant part from the national recovery and resilience plan, worth more than EUR 5 billion. Many projects have already been prepared, including for upgrade of the main railway station. (front page, 18)

Healthcare
"Do we need more dentists?": The University of Maribor has opened a new study course of dentistry without having secured additional budget funds, with the argument that there is a shortage of dentists in Slovenia. The Medical Chamber meanwhile says that dentistry is not a shortage occupation. (front page, 5)

FINANCE

Exports
"Optimism among Slovenian exporters increasing": Large Slovenian exporters are optimistic about the first quarter of the year, as they are still riding the wave of growth from the end of 2020. Some problems are being caused by growing prices of raw material and breaking of supply chains. (front page, 2-3)

Slovenian banks
"Lower profits last year, deposits by households and companies skyrocketed": Banks operating in Slovenia last year made EUR 472 million in pre-tax profit, which is 20% less than in 2019. This is only due to the merger of Abanka and NKBM, otherwise the drop would have been much larger, the central bank has announced. (front page, 10-11)

Energy and environment
"How state intends to distribute EUR 355 million from climate fund": The Environment Ministry has drafted a proposal for spending of funds from the Climate Change Fund, with EUR 145.5 million slated to be spent this year. Money will be invested also in a waste incineration plant. (front page, 16-17)

VEČER

Real estate
"Purchase to revive Bresternica": Mestne Nepremičinine, a company owned by the municipality of Maribor, has purchased a piece of land around the former Jezero Motel on the Drava river, east of Maribor. It used to be a popular hiking and picnic spot. (front page, 11)

Tourism
"Some flying, some going to unemployment office": The Slovenian tourism and hospitality sector has remained shut down firmly due to the epidemic, while agencies are fulling up planes taking tourists to the Canary Islands. (front page, 6)

Animal protection
"Threat to Carniolan honey bee": Changes to the act on management of bees in Austria could put the Carniolan honey bee at risk. The paper wonders what Slovenia will do about that through diplomatic channels. (front page, 8)