The Graz-based company Magna Steyr obtained a construction permit for a new factory in western Hungary last week, close to the border with Slovenia. Hungary is the company’s reserve location while Slovenia still remains its first choice, but only if there are no appeals against a recently issued environmental approval.

Despite the received approval from the Slovenian Environment Agency, Magna Steyr still can’t guarantee that it will build its car factory, initially just a paint shop, which would employ around 400 people, in the Municipality of Hoče Slivnica. The company still hasn’t obtained a construction permit in Slovenia, and the environmental approval is still not binding, as the 15-day period for filing appeals against the approval from the date of notice (there were 12 parties in the procedure) has still not passed. In case one of the NGOs decides to appeal the Environment Agency’s approval, reliable sources says Magna Steyr will turn its back on Slovenia. Gorazd Marinček from the Movement for Sustainable Development (TRS) is considering filing an appeal because of an issued water approval from the Slovenian Water Agency.
Government officials reject the speculations and hints put forward by some organizations. Government circles say their only aim is to draw attention to themselves and prevent the arrival of the multi-national company to Slovenia because of other private and political interests. Meanwhile, Magna Steyr has already obtained a construction permit in the Hungarian town of Zalaegerszeg, which is only 45 km away from Hodoš. Magna could start with construction work there in order to avoid a Slovenian episode similar to the one with the Volovja Reber wind farm. However, the Austrian company is willing to wait for the environmental approval to become binding. The company’s plan is for the factory to become operational in the autumn of 2018.

Maja Derčar, Radio Slovenija; translated by K. J.