Wanted: 11,000 flatmates

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"Slovenia is undeniably in the midst of a housing crisis, and worse, it was caught completely off guard. The country lacks a cohesive vision for housing policy." - Jan Tom?e

Hurry up, I want to move in!?

A few days ago, Slovenia was swept into a storm of outrage after news broke about a real estate tycoon supposedly owning 370 apartments. Politicians, quick to seize any opportunity for self-promotion, jumped on the story, calling for swift action. The message was clear: this new real estate mogul must be dealt with immediately! However, as it turned out, the story was exaggerated due to a misinterpretation of the data by the authorities. In reality, Slovenia’s largest 'capitalist' landlord owns just over 50 housing units.?

But the real issue goes far beyond the number of apartments owned by wealthy individuals, whether acquired legally, through hard work, or even through denationalisation. The real problem in Slovenia's housing market is the sheer number of empty apartments. It is estimated that over 150,000 flats sit vacant across the country. In Ljubljana alone, around one in ten flats is empty, totaling 11,000 unoccupied units. Meanwhile, housing supply in the capital cannot keep up with the overwhelming demand.

Slovenia is undeniably in the midst of a housing crisis, and worse, it was caught completely off guard. The country lacks a cohesive vision for housing policy. At the start of its term, the current government announced plans to build 5,000 public housing units by 2026, followed by an additional 3,000 units every year. These efforts are expected to cost EUR 100 million annually, amounting to a total of EUR 1 billion over the following decade.?

Yet, many consider these goals unrealistic—not only due to the financial burden but also because of the notoriously slow Slovenian bureaucracy. Private investors have frequently voiced concerns that obtaining building permits takes far too long. Indeed, Slovenia faces significant challenges with its bureaucratic system. The delays in issuing permits, particularly during the summer months as pointed out by developers, have worsened the housing market's struggles. ?

Returning to the issue in Ljubljana, with its 11,000 empty flats, we see a stark contrast with the mere 500 or so apartments typically available for long-term rent at any given time. These vacant flats represent a potential resource that could help ease the crisis. The government could incentivise property owners to put these apartments on the rental market, perhaps by offering tax breaks or subsidies—such as the concept of a 13th rent. By encouraging more property owners to rent out their unused flats, the supply could be increased, which would boost housing options and lower rental prices. The judicial system also has a role to play in making the real estate market more functional. Courts in Slovenia often overly protect tenants in disputes with landlords, even when the legal grounds favor the landlords. It's essential to recognise that, in a capitalist system, private property rights are constitutionally protected, and these principles should be reflected in legal decisions. ?

Politicians often speak about their dedication to supporting young families and helping them build better futures. Now is the time for them to prove it. By bringing more properties onto the market, they can give young people the freedom to choose where and how they want to live. The young will surely be grateful.?

Digital trends transforming healthcare in the Adriatic

The Adriatic is steadily embracing digital healthcare, though the pace varies across the region. Slovenia stands out with its cutting-edge National eHealth Backbone, linking over 1,400 providers and offering patients direct access to their health records through the zVEM app. Meanwhile, Serbia’s push for telemedicine and e-prescriptions, accelerated by the pandemic, is transforming patient care, aiming for 95% e-prescription usage by year’s end. Croatia, too, has made strides, bolstering telemedicine and health data interoperability. The digital future of healthcare here is unfolding, but it’s a story of uneven momentum. Read on.

Weekend tête-à-tête

Properties and paradise

Zoran ?uki?, the owner and director of Stoja Trade, has come a long way since his first venture into property business – he sold his first apartment at the age of 20. Since then, he has dedicated his life to real estate, often mixing business and pleasure. And this weekend won’t be any different: selling propery while enjoying Istrian gastronomy.

Where will we find you this weekend?

This weekend you will find me on the Slovenian and Croatian coasts, where I will combine business and pleasure through selling 2 beautiful real estate projects and also enjoying Istrian gastronomy and nature.?

Sunday mornings: slow or zippy?

Easy, very easy, with fresh lemonade, fruits, stretching and meditating.

Weekend breakfast?

I love to enjoy New Zealand golden kiwi, mango, papaya and then oatmeal, sometimes scrambled eggs and I love healthy whole grain pancakes with Nutella.?

Books or news?

I love to read news and sometimes books. My favourite book is Heal your life by Louise L. Hay. For the news, I read the Financial Times, Arabian Business, Slovenian Delo and Traveler Mond.

What's on the speakers?

I like to listen to relaxed and jazzy morning music, sometimes lounge, and at times easy house.

Weekend lunch in or out??

Both. The menu at home is summer or winter seasonal food. We love the classic Slovenian menu, with a lot of vegetables. My favourite restaurants in Slovenia are AS, Cubo and Gostilna Strunjan.

Whisky or wine?

I love to drink wine and champagne: Istrian wine Malvazija Kozlovi? and Bilecart Salmone champagne are my favourites. I love the freshness of Istrian malvazija wines and champagne bubbles.?

Sunday lunch topics?

Nothing specific, maybe family, shopping, and lately décor for the flat since we are renovating.

What's something you can't live without??

I cannot imagine my life without a house by the sea.?

Dream home?

Dream home is a coastal home in lush green, bright and fresh, full of family and friends, with neighbour's cat, surrounded with great olive and fruit trees, lavanda and rosemary.?

Regional snapshot

Slovene nod for enlargement pick

Ljubljana's eleventh-hour nominee for EU enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos, has cleared her first hurdle. The Slovene National Assembly gave a positive (non-binding) opinion on her candidacy – though not without opposition threats to stall the process. Kos, a diplomat with stints in Berlin and Bern, was tapped by PM Golob after Brussels pressed for a female candidate. Kos’s potential appointment is seen as a boon for the Western Balkans' EU aspirations. However, she faces a steep climb: surging Euroscepticism, political upheaval in key member states and the Ukraine-Russia conflict all risk relegating enlargement on the EU agenda. While Kos brings diplomatic savvy and regional acumen to the role, critics argue she lacks the political clout of a true Brussels “heavyweight,” with some in Slovene diplomatic circles whispering former president Pahor should have been tapped instead. Nevertheless, her nomination marks a potential turning point after the controversial tenure of her predecessor, Olivér Várhelyi. Kos must still weather European Parliament hearings before taking office. If confirmed, she'll assume the role on 1 November at the earliest.

Germany warns Kosovo over European trade bloc deadlock

On his latest visit to Kosovo, Germany's Balkan envoy Manuel Sarrazin laid out stark choices for the country: unblock progress on the Common Regional Market or risk being left out. The EU-backed initiative, launched in 2020, envisions a borderless economic zone across the six Western Balkan nations. Kosovo’s stance threatens to derail the project, as the country maintains its ban on Serbian imports, a tit-for-tat move following a border incident last June. Germany has presented a deal that would give the fledgling economy representation in the Central European Free Trade Agreement (another EU-sponsored initiative), in exchange for lifting the ban, but Pri?tina's reluctance threatens to leave it out in the cold. "We cannot give gifts to those who do not like Santa Claus," Sarrazin quipped, hinting at potential exclusion from future mechanisms if Kosovo doesn't play ball. With the Berlin Process summit looming in October, Sarrazin's message is clear: regional cooperation will proceed, with or without Kosovo.

New diabetes drug arrives in Croatia

Croatia is set to receive a groundbreaking diabetes treatment by the end of November 2024. The drug, tirzepatide – marketed as Mounjaro –, will be available for the first time in the country, offering a weekly injection option for those with type 2 diabetes. Developed by US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, Mounjaro has shown promising results in regulating blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss. Until now, patients have had to travel to other European countries to access the medication. The drug's dual-action approach, targeting both GIP and GLP-1 hormones, sets it apart from existing treatments. As global obesity rates continue to rise, drugs like Mounjaro are gaining attention for their potential to address both diabetes and weight management. With Eli Lilly investing heavily in production capacity, expect to see increased availability of these next-generation treatments across Europe in the coming years.

The Regional snapshot is prepared by Andra? Tav?ar.

The Pulse

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Insurance sleuths set to convene in Bled

The Slovenian Insurance Association will host an informative gathering this November, as insurance fraud experts congregate to sharpen their skills. The two-day conference at Rikli Balance Hotel aims to tackle cutting-edge research and innovation in fraud management, where attendees can expect a deep dive into the latest trends, dissection of intriguing case studies, and exploration of novel approaches to preventing and discovering fraudulent claims – an issue that continues to vex the sector. Bringing together industry professionals, law enforcement and specialists in data analytics, it's a rare opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas among a diverse set of actors. Expect insights from experts such as the City of London Police's Thomas Hill and OSINT guru Marcus Lindemann, alongside interactive sessions and networking opportunities that promise to forge valuable connections in the fight against insurance fraud. Those wishing to attend should mark 21 October in their diaries as the cutoff for registration.

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