NEWS

Working session of the Government

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia today convened at Brdo pri Kranju for a working session in which a continuation of the planned reforms was discussed. At the conclusion of the session, Prime Minister Borut Pahor emphasised that the Government is determined to enhance the Slovenia’s competitiveness. To achieve this goal, two elements are important, namely a supplementary budget, which plans a manageable deficit and a successful continuation of the planned reforms.

    

(Photo: Stanko Gruden, vir: UKOM)

    

Prime Minister Pahor pinpointed that a thorough reform of a public sector is needed to achieve a manageable budget deficit. In modernising the public sector we will actually implement the OECD rules, noted Prime Minister Pahor and expressed his wish for a fruitful cooperation with trade unions.  In this regard, he highlighted the need for reforms, if Slovenia wants to rise above the average. According to his words, the decision whether we will be above-average or not, must be taken by us. If we decide to be the average, we do not need to undergo the reforms; however, in such a case we must be aware of consequences. The Government decided to take all measures to be above-average. If a majority of Slovenes will not want that and will oppose to the Government, the Government will have to take this into consideration, added Prime Minister Pahor.
         

(Photo: Stanko Gruden, vir: UKOM)

   
Regarding the public sector reforms the Prime Minister mentioned that the state administration should not be out-of-date and it should quickly adapt to the changes. The Prime Minister  noted that “The public sector is of the utmost importance; however, it should be more efficient and effective”, and, he explained, in the near future, they will have a meeting with the head of the public sector negotiating group and representatives of trade unions. Together, they will examine, in particular, how to modernise the state administration and make it more effective. Public sector modernisation will be managed in two ways, the Prime Minister underlined, “We need sectoral modernisations, we will start health and pension reforms as well as other reforms concerning public sector.” And secondly, amendments to the Public Institutes Act will be necessary, providing a legislative framework for these changes. “We need a public sector which will meet the expectations of the public”, said Prime Minister Pahor concluding that, “The citizens should have a high quality public service.”