NEWS

Prime Minister's press conference held after the Government's 133rd regular session

At its 133rd regular session, the Government took note of the 2011 Development Report, the implementation of the Slovenian Exit Strategy 2010–2013 and the document entitled Information Regarding the Preparation of Sectoral Policies and Strategies of the Financial Sector. The Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development of the Republic of Slovenia (IMAD) and the Minister of Finance presented the finer points of the aforementioned documents, and Prime Minister Borut Pahor fielded some topical questions posed by the press.

   

The Government was brought up to speed with the 2011 Development Report, which was prepared by the IMAD, and through which it monitors the implementation of the Slovenian Development Strategy. One of the Strategy's key objectives is to enhance prosperity and the standard of living which, according to the IMAD, fell in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the disposable income of the population in real terms dropped below 1996 levels, which is when this was measured for the first time; however, there was a significant increase in the share of social benefits. The IMAD estimates that positive results can be seen in the relatively low at-risk-of-poverty rate. The deteriorating situation in the labour market was mitigated through the implementation of Government measures to protect jobs and by increasing the scope of active employment policy. Last year, the Government adopted amendments to the pension system, and the modernisation of the healthcare and long-term care systems are currently being drafted. At today's session, the Government was presented with an update on the implementation of the exit strategy. The IMAD estimates that, even during the first year, the economic policy measures contained several labour market measures. The consolidation of public finances is currently in progress and development finance measures have also been partially implemented. With respect to the proposed structural measures, the modernisation of the pension system was adopted. With regard to institutional adjustments, several measures relating to adjustments in the management of public institutions and public administration were adopted, whereas measures aimed at improving the efficiency of environmental and climate policies are currently being prepared.

   

Ministers were also acquainted with the document relating to the sectoral policies of the financial sector. This document will also be accompanied by expert groundwork carried out on the Slovenian financial system strategy, which is a study that contains quantitative statistical and empirical analyses. The study's main recommendations and guidelines are summarised in the part dealing with sectoral policies, which makes reference to the development strategy of the financial sector. The main features of the aforementioned documents reveal that, with regard to the future of the system, it is proposed that three key financial institutions are focused on, namely Nova Ljubljanska banka, Zavarovalnica Triglav and NKBM, in connection with the insurance companies, Pozavarovalnica Sava, Zavarovalnica Maribor and Zavarovalnica Tilia. These three financial mainstays are to remain the key stakeholders in the domestic financial market as independent financial institutions and major regional players.

  

Speaking at the press conference following the Government's session, Prime Minister Pahor said that, while dealing with the crisis during the first two years of its office, the Government decided to take measures which would be to the detriment of competitiveness, but would instead focus on preserving a high degree of social cohesion; during the second two years of office, these measures would be enhanced through structural reforms which would contribute to improving competitiveness in Slovenia. "Unlike some countries we decided that, since Slovenia has been affected more than most other countries, we would devote more attention to social cohesion during the first stage of the crisis than other governments," said Prime Minister Pahor. "If the pension reform succeeds, if the health reform — which is currently being prepared — succeeds, if we continue with the preparation of the amended law on labour relations, then there is no reason why Slovenia, in terms of economic and employment growth, would not recover sooner," added the Prime Minister.

   

When questioned about the former Minister Trobec Bučan's demand concerning ministerial salary compensation, Prime Minister Pahor responded that "a former official is entitled to compensation only if it is proven that he or she cannot find alternative employment". This is why he asked Justice Minister Zalar to verify whether Mrs Trobec Bručan had applied for a position at the Ministry. Prime Minister Pahor took the view that the Commission for Public Office and Elections of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia would have had every opportunity to reject the former Minister's request for compensation if she had rejected an offer of employment. In this context, Prime Minister Pahor pointed out that this was merely his personal opinion as a former President of the National Assembly, since the Government may not interfere with the Commission's decisions.

   

Prime Minister Pahor also responded to questions concerning Mercator's shares and the decisions made by the Competition Protection Office (CPO) limiting the disposal of shares to Pivovarna Laško. The Prime Minister stressed that no political pressure was exerted on the CPO in arriving at its decision and that he, with the exception of an exchange of opinions with other Ministers, had not discussed the topic with anyone. "Neither the Ministers nor I have taken any position on this matter, nor did we seek to impose a view on those responsible for making decisions in this regard," underlined Prime Minister Pahor, adding that the "decisions were made by those authorised to do so without outside interference". Prime Minister Pahor concluded by stating that any decisions made concerning the selling of shares owned by Pivovarna Laško in Mercator must be made by the members of the supervisory board and management board responsible for conducting such a procedure in compliance with the law.