The supervisory board appointed Rihter as the director of JHMB for a period of five years. However, Frangež is urging him not to sign the contract.
The supervisory board of the Maribor Public Holding (JHMB) appointed Andrej Rihter as director for a new five-year term less than two weeks before local elections. Political figure Frangež publicly urged the board to seek a transitional solution and appoint a permanent director only after the election results are known, arguing this would respect the responsibility toward citizens who are the ultimate owners of city assets. After the board ignored his initial call, Frangež now demands that Rihter refrain from signing the contract until a new mayor and city council are elected and constituted. He frames the issue as a matter of corporate governance principles rather than personal animosity, stating that public companies are not political spoils for current or future authorities. Frangež assigns political responsibility for the decision to the List Arsenevic and SDS parties, noting they hold representatives on the supervisory board and are making binding personnel decisions just before voters choose their leaders.
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The supervisory board of the Maribor Public Holding (JHMB) has granted current director Andrej Rihter a new five-year mandate. Matevž Frangež, a candidate for mayor supported by the Social Democrats, Left, and Cyclists and Pedestrians List, criticized this decision, arguing that such significant personnel changes should not occur immediately before local elections. Frangež urged Rihter to delay signing the contract until after the election to ensure continuity and respect for citizens who are the ultimate owners of municipal assets. He attributed responsibility for the move to the Arsenovic List for Maribor and the Slovenian Democratic Party, which hold seats on the supervisory board, noting that the former list will no longer run in future elections. In response, Rihter stated that he views his appointment as a professional responsibility essential for maintaining uninterrupted city services, including water distribution and public transport.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the conflict through the lens of a left-wing opposition candidate criticizing incumbent parties for undemocratic maneuvering, while presenting the defender's argument as purely technical rather than political.
The supervisory board of the Maribor Public Holding (JHMB) appointed Andrej Rihter as director for a new five-year term less than two weeks before local elections. Political figure Frangež publicly urged the board to seek a transitional solution and appoint a permanent director only after the election results are known, arguing this would respect the responsibility toward citizens who are the ultimate owners of city assets. After the board ignored his initial call, Frangež now demands that Rihter refrain from signing the contract until a new mayor and city council are elected and constituted. He frames the issue as a matter of corporate governance principles rather than personal animosity, stating that public companies are not political spoils for current or future authorities. Frangež assigns political responsibility for the decision to the List Arsenevic and SDS parties, noting they hold representatives on the supervisory board and are making binding personnel decisions just before voters choose their leaders.
Bias read (Progressive): The article exclusively presents the critique from Frangež, a likely opposition figure, using strong normative language like 'political spoils' and accusing specific parties of evading accountability, while omitting any defense from the appointing board or majority coalition.
The supervisory board of the Maribor Public Holding (JHMB) has appointed outgoing director Andrej Rihter for a new five-year term starting November 8, 2026, less than two weeks before local elections. Four candidates applied for the position, which was advertised in June, and all presented themselves to the board in October. Mayoral candidate Matevž Frangež of the Novi Maribor party has publicly urged Rihter to refrain from signing the contract until the new city council is constituted. Frangež argues that public companies belong to the citizens and should not be treated as political spoils by either current or future authorities. He criticizes the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and the List of Alenka Bratušek (Lista Arsenovič) for making this personnel decision just before the election, noting that the latter will no longer run for office. Frangež states that if elected, he intends to reform corporate governance in public entities according to OECD principles.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the appointment as a violation of democratic norms by explicitly blaming specific right-wing parties (SDS, Lista Arsenovič) for 'political spoils' while ignoring potential counter-arguments regarding legal independence.
A local poll conducted by Maribor24 surveyed 5,357 residents ahead of upcoming municipal elections in Maribor, Slovenia. Independent candidate Andrej Bauman led the results with 31 percent of the votes, followed closely by Matevž Frangež who received 28 percent. The margin between the top two candidates was just 170 votes, indicating a tight race. Other contenders included Igor Jurišič at 12 percent, Bor Greiner at 10 percent, and Katja Koren at 9 percent. Smaller parties and independent candidates such as Andrej Matvoz, Matej Vodopivec, and others secured significantly lower shares of support. The publication notes that voter preferences remain fluid and the outcome of the mayoral election is still undecided.
Bias read (Center): The article neutrally reports poll percentages and candidate affiliations without using loaded language or favoring any specific political side.
The supervisory board of Javni holding Maribor has concluded the selection process for the company's director and decided to reappoint incumbent Magister Andrej Rihter for another five-year term. Rihter will assume his new mandate on November 8, 2026, ensuring continuity in the leadership of the entity responsible for managing and coordinating public companies in Maribor. The decision was made during a recent meeting where the board finalized the appointment procedure. This reappointment aims to maintain stability in the execution of local public service tasks within the city.
Bias read (Center): The text uses neutral administrative language, cites only the internal corporate decision, and lacks external commentary or critical context regarding the appointment.
The supervisory board of Javni holding Maribor (JHMB) reappointed outgoing director Andrej Rihter for a new five-year term starting November 8, 2026. Four candidates applied for the position, presenting themselves to the board in October. The selection process was marked by prior internal disputes, including a proposal by city council members to dismiss four board representatives due to concerns over political influence and transparency. Additionally, the employee council raised objections in early October, stating that workers were informed about the procedure only through media reports rather than through their designated representatives. The final decision was announced via a brief press release that did not specify the voting margin or the specific criteria used to select Rihter among the other three candidates.
Bias read (Progressive): The article emphasizes allegations of political influence, lack of transparency, and procedural violations regarding employee rights, framing the appointment within a context of institutional conflict and democratic deficit typical of critical local governance coverage.
The supervisory board of Javni Holding Maribor has concluded the selection process for the company's director, reappointing incumbent Andrej Rihter for a new five-year term. Rihter, who has led the holding since November 2021, will assume his new mandate on November 8, 2026. The position was advertised in June, attracting four candidates who presented themselves to the board in October. Supervisory board members, led by Igor Marinic, conducted interviews with all four applicants before making their final decision.
Bias read (Center): The article uses neutral, administrative language to report a corporate governance decision without employing loaded terms, opinionated adjectives, or one-sided sourcing that would indicate a specific ideological slant.
Mysterious black, red, and white posters appeared in Maribor announcing a large pre-election rally scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, though the specific time and location were stated to be announced later. The posters feature the refrain 'He shall not be our mayor!' taken from a poem by Miroslav Vilhar published in 1860, which describes animals failing to select a suitable mayor because they reject every candidate proposed. No names, signatures, or organizer identifiers appear on the materials, making it impossible to confirm if this is an official campaign event. These appearances occurred during the local election campaign, which officially began on October 15 after candidate submissions closed. The upcoming local elections are set for Sunday, November 15, meaning the advertised rally would take place just five days before voting.
Bias read (Center): The report neutrally documents the appearance of anonymous posters and provides historical context for the quoted verse without attributing intent or evaluating the political implications.
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