NEWS
Prime Minister's press conference following the Government’s 99th regular session
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia at today’s session adopted several decisions and took note of the initial report on the measures taken in connection with recent heavy rain and floods. The responsible ministers presented the adopted resolutions, and Prime Minister Pahor then answered a number of topical questions.
According to the Government, and based on relevant meteorological and hydrological forecast, the response by the bodies, units and services responsible for ensuring protection, rescue and assistance, as well as action by the Police, the Armed Forces and other public services was timely, coordinated, well planned and adequate. This made possible for putting in place the basic conditions for life and work in the major part of the areas hit by the disaster. The Government expresses its special recognition to all voluntary and professional firemen, members of the Civil Protection, Police and Armed Forces, Red Cross activists and all other rescuers and volunteers who took part in the protection and rescue activities and in eliminating the consequences caused by the floods.
The Government ordered the Slovenian Civil Protection headquarters and its services to intensively carry on the protection and rescue measures in cooperation with the competent municipal authorities and services in the areas, where due to high level of the flooding water and/or other flood-related phenomena basic conditions for life have not yet been put in place. The Government ordered the responsible ministries and the Republic of Slovenia Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief to speed up in cooperation with the concerned municipalities the assessment of material damage, and enjoined the Administration to submit as soon as possible a verified assessment report on the damage in accordance with the regulations on the removal of consequences of natural disasters.
Later in the conference, Prime Minister Pahor said that the budget deficit would amount to 4.7% of GDP. This is a relatively good result for the State, which through continued discipline of public finance could reduce its budget deficit and bring it under 3% of GDP over the next two coming years. In addition, Prime Minister Pahor expressed his belief that the people would show understanding for the Government’s measure aimed at postponing the public sector rise of wages to a later moment when higher economic growth occurs again. »Most of the wage disparities and obligations under collective agreement were settled in 2008«, said the Prime Minister and added that the present Government's proposal to the Trade Unions in this respect was aimed at postponing the settlement of the rest of wage disparities to a later moment.
Belt-tightening will depend on the pace of economic growth. »Our action is right and timely, we do not want to shift its burden on those unable to cope with it «, pointed out the Prime Minister who is convinced that this was the right moment when the provisional austerity measures and reforms can still be taken in order to avoid the serious consequences and the eventual loss of confidence by the citizens.
When asked about the strike announced by the public servants, Prime Minister Pahor responded that the Government would not give in the public sector Trade Unions demands if these were to require something which would break down the planned consolidation whose part is limitation of public spending, as well. »If a solution sustainable in terms of public finance is possible and if it serves the purpose that we imposed upon ourselves, then some compromise may still be possible, but I do not believe it to be so«, responded the Prime Minister and added that Ms Helena Kamnar, Secretary-General and the main Government's negotiator has been given instructions to be strict in dealing with the public sector Trade Unions' demands. »My estimation is that this is a turning point when we can be either successful or not«, said the Prime Minister. The main issue with respect to this strike does not concern the issue of a strike as such but rather the one »whether the reasons for strike as given by the Trade Unions are justifiable«. The wages in the public sector are stable which is not the case in the real sector; therefore, it is now when every step has to be taken in order to give economy a new boost. »If we fail to take due action and the 'bills' are to follow later on, the next crisis might again shake us dangerously«, warned the Prime minister and made sure that through consolidation of public finance, including the limitation of public spending and the structural reforms, the Government will be successful in strengthening the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy.