The Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the Protection of Competition has officially launched an investigation into the City of Ljubljana (MOL) regarding potential violations of antitrust legislation. The proceedings, initiated on February 23, 2026, aim to determine whether the municipality has engaged in an abuse of its dominant position within the market for outdoor advertising space, a move that would violate Article 8 of the Act on the Prevention of Restrictions of Competition (ZPOmK-2).
The core of the Agency’s investigation centers on the management of public and private spaces used for advertising. Central to the allegations is the claim that the City of Ljubljana has maintained long-term contracts dating back as far as 1998 and 1999 without conducting fresh public tenders. By continuously leasing out municipal land for advertising facilities under these legacy agreements, the Agency suggests that the City may have effectively blocked market entry for competitors, thereby stifling a fair and competitive environment.
Furthermore, the Agency has highlighted specific concerns regarding the City’s involvement with areas not under municipal ownership. It is alleged that through various contracts, the City of Ljubljana dictated rights and obligations for advertising on third-party properties, potentially overstepping its regulatory and proprietary authority to the detriment of the broader market.
The investigation also scrutinizes high-profile urban infrastructure projects, including the 2004 bus shelter contract and the 2011 “BicikeLJ” bike-sharing agreement. While these services were initially awarded through a tender or concession process, the Agency notes that they were granted for exceptionally long periods of 15 years to a single provider. The situation was further compounded in 2019 when these contracts were reportedly merged and extended until 2035 without a new public bidding process. Such maneuvers, according to the Agency, likely strengthened a dominant position not just within the city, but across the entire Republic of Slovenia.
Under the second indent of the fourth paragraph of Article 8 of the ZPOmK-2, these actions are viewed as a restriction of the market that ultimately harms consumers. As the proceedings move forward, the Agency has issued a public call for information. Any parties possessing data relevant to the case are urged to come forward. The Agency has established strict protocols for the handling of “CONFIDENTIAL DATA,” ensuring that business secrets and personal information are protected, provided they are submitted in accordance with the legal requirements of the ZPOmK-2.
It is important to note that the initiation of these proceedings is a procedural step and does not prejudice the final outcome of the investigation. The City of Ljubljana will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations as the Agency works to determine whether the capital’s advertising landscape requires a structural correction to restore competitive balance.