(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Thousands of Slovenians rallied on Saturday against government plans to sell off state-owned companies as part of its drive to repair public finances after the ex-Yugoslav republic narrowly avoided an international bailout two years ago, Reuters reported.
Braving sub-zero temperatures in the snow-covered capital Ljubljana, protesters waved flags and banners which read 'Privatization is theft' and 'Let's write off debt, not companies'.
'All profit of privatized firms goes to other countries while our country will get nothing from these sales,' said retired publisher Ziva Vidmar, 65, one of an estimated 3,000 protesters.
Opponents of privatization say it will only increase unemployment and worsen Slovenia's financial plight.
Slovenia has been reluctant to sell its major firms since gaining independence from Belgrade in 1991 so the government still controls about half of the economy.
The government earmarked 15 firms in 2013 for privatization but has so far sold only three. The biggest on the list, telecoms operator Telekom Slovenia with a market capitalization of 979 million Euros, is expected to be sold in the coming weeks.
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