NEWS

Prime Minister's press conference held after the Government's 169th regular session

At the press conference following the Government's 169th regular session, Prime Minister Pahor said that the Government has appointed a working group to draw up a proposal for the inclusion of the fiscal rule into the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. The group will be headed by Minister Mitja Gaspari and its members include Ministers Aleš Zalar, Franc Križanič and Boštjan Žekš, the Secretary-General of the Government, Helena Kamnar, and Director of the Office for Legislation Ksenija Mihovar Globokar. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the National Assembly's establishment of the Constitutional Commission, which will consider the proposal to amend the Constitution by introducing a fiscal debt ceiling.

   

Prime Minister Pahor took the view that many different views and dilemmas can be expected to arise during negotiations on the content of the golden fiscal rules, as seen in some other eurozone countries undergoing similar procedures. 'All the same, we need to bear in mind that the eurozone's leaders are in agreement that the commitment to a balanced budget or debt ceiling needs to be sufficiently firm to entail a change of power if violated. Thus, changes to the Constitution are the most appropriate way forward,' stressed the Prime Minister, adding that the path towards constitutional change will be rocky.

   

With regard to the amendment to the Employment Relationships Act, which the Government today took note of and which is to be discussed by the social partners, Prime Minister Pahor explained that 'this is not an act that would take from employees and give to employers. This is an act that aims to establish, in an equitable and effective manner, a kind of reasonable, successful balance between labour market flexibility and employee security.'  In his view, they have come very close to achieving that aim. Furthermore, he noted that this act was not to be considered a current matter of the Government, but on the basis of Tuesday's agreement with the presidents of the parliamentary parties, the Government will, at its discretion, discuss all draft law proposals where disapprovals may jeopardise the national interest.  'We refer here to the constitutional clause that allows the Government to deal, in addition to current matters, with issues that are, as a rule, within the Government holding a full range of powers', added the Prime Minister. To conclude, the Slovenian Prime Minister stressed that 'time has become pressing for Slovenia and too much has already been lost. Therefore, the amount of time usually requested by employers and trade unions before the commencement of negotiations on the act's chapters and articles needs to be taken to establish whether the groundwork carried out is adequate and in line with their views.'