NEWS

Prime Minister’s press conference

At today’s press conference, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, presented the key resolutions and decisions adopted at the 9th regular Government session.  The Government also adopted the starting points for supplementing the national budget for 2009, to be sent to the National Assembly as planned by the end of the next month. In view of the current economic and financial situation, the starting points for the supplementary budget have changed significantly compared to last year, when the 2009 budget proposal was drafted.  The macroeconomic conditions, coupled with new legislative obligations and measures aimed at ameliorating the financial crisis, have increased the budget deficit, which will range from 3.4% to 3.7% of GDP in 2009.

 

(Foto: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

The Prime Minister added that the economic growth forecast for Slovenia remains favourable. “It is a fact, however, that our main foreign trade partners are not very fit, which will definitely have an adverse effect on the Slovenian economy,” said the Prime Minister, announcing a meeting of the ministerial crisis group for next week. Structural reforms are required, since fiscal possibilities for solutions have already been exploited. “These reforms are a demanding project requiring a wider political and social consensus. The Government will do its best for Slovenia to emerge from this crisis stronger, more competitive and with a higher level of solidarity,” Mr Pahor said. With respect to the budget deficit, the Government will do all it can to keep the deficit within the planned figures.

 

In light of the economic downturn and financial crisis, Prime Minister Pahor today also announced the Government’s intention to adopt 29 savings measures at its next session, since these measures have already in principle been approved by ministers. “The Government will adopt very restrictive measures, while making every effort to work professionally and to avoid any unnecessary comfort,” he said.

 

Today the Government also adopted resolutions concerning directors' fees, and salaries and benefits of managers in state-owned companies. In the Prime Minister's words, the general public, as well as the Government, were justifiably concerned about directors’ fees and the severance pay of those managing Slovenia's assets. “The political and economic elite must make sure that the awards for their work are reasonable,” emphasised the Prime Minister, adding that this is a precondition for social dialogue.

 

Today the Staff Accreditation Council being vested with full powers began its work as a Government consultative body. Its objective is to advise the Government in appointing top-notch candidates to posts stipulated by law. Thus we are introducing a new standard, for future governments as well, a standard which will prevent political appointments, which have all too often been the case in the past.

 

Towards the end of the press conference, Prime Minister Pahor explained that the Government has been briefed about the report of the working group preparing suitable solutions for the future use of the Falcon 2000 EX aircraft. The group has proposed several solutions and the Government will today select the best.