Luka Mesec faces scrutiny over favorable mortgage terms

Luka Mesec, a former minister and current mayoral candidate for Ljubljana, is facing questions regarding a mortgage he secured in July 2022. Records show Mesec obtained a €184,500 loan from Gorenjska banka with a fixed interest rate of 1.45% for a 20-year term.

This rate was significantly lower than the bank's public offer at the time, which was approximately 2.19%, and the Slovenian national average of 2.28%. Calculations suggest this arrangement would save Mesec roughly €15,400 in interest over the life of the loan compared to the bank's public offer.

Mesec has defended the terms, stating he benefited from a specific “spring promotion” offered by the bank. He noted that the promotional rate was approximately 1.5% and that he secured an additional discount by purchasing supplementary insurance. Gorenjska banka confirmed that a promotional offer for fixed rates as low as 1.45% was available to all customers meeting specific criteria between March 1 and June 24, 2022.