Automatic retirement means predictability for employers and discrimination for trade unions

President Injured in Traffic Accident The president of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, was injured in a traffic accident involving her official vehicle. The incident occurred in the Kastelec tunnel near Trieste, where the driver of her Mercedes-Benz V 300 collided with the rear of a following vehicle due to insufficient safety distance. The president suffered a broken clavicle and was taken to the General Hospital in Isola for treatment. The collision happened during her return trip from Croatia, where she had been on vacation, after attending an official event in Komenda, whose patroness she was. She traveled with her security detail, a bodyguard, a security officer, and two companions, both of whom were close friends. One of the companions sustained more severe injuries, while the other remained unharmed. The circumstances of the accident are still under investigation by the relevant authorities. The president has publicly acknowledged that she was not wearing a seatbelt, which she described as her biggest mistake. She emphasized that this experience should serve as a warning to all passengers to always fasten their seatbelts, even in the back seats. Despite claims that one of the companions might be a Russian citizen, there have been suggestions that this could pose a risk to national security, potentially leading to an impeachment inquiry against the president. However, officials in her cabinet have dismissed these allegations as unfounded. Interim Law Referendum Allowed by Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court of Slovenia has ruled that a referendum on the law regarding intervention measures for the development of Slovenia is permissible. The court voted seven to one in favor of allowing the referendum, which was initiated by trade unions with support from the civil society and backed by 47,000 signatures. Initially, members of the ruling coalition opposed the referendum, arguing that the law also addresses tax-related issues, which the constitution prohibits referendums on. With the constitutional court’s decision overturning this prohibition, the 35-day period for collecting 40,000 verified signatures will begin on September 1. The interim law, approved on May 11, includes provisions such as lower VAT rates for basic food items and energy providers, caps on contributions, changes for regulated workers, lower rent taxes, dual status for retirees, incentives for tourism, and the removal of restrictions on short-term property rentals. The decision has sparked sharp reactions within Slovenian society and politics. President of the government Janez Janša called the decision predictable but questioned where the wisdom of the constitutional court was in December 2012, when similar referendums were prohibited. He added that the people would now decide whether they want lower taxes, cheaper food, higher wages, and pensions. Supporters of the referendum welcomed the decision as a victory for the rule of law and highlighted that the constitutional court prevented what they termed "legislative manipulation." They argued that the government sought to bypass social dialogue to implement systemic changes, particularly in areas such as pensions and long-term care. Left-wing opposition parties also praised the decision, stating that the coalition had passed several harmful measures and that the move was a form of abuse of the legislative process. Business groups have responded with mixed opinions. The Slovenian Business Chamber emphasized that the decision must be respected, although the measures introduced by the interim law are crucial for the business environment and the development of Slovenia's economy and state, as well as the welfare of citizens. The Slovenian Trade Association views the law as a necessary step toward a competitive economy that creates jobs, allows businesses to develop, and fills public funds used to finance the social state. Similarly, the Slovenian Employers' Association believes the law represents the first step toward a slightly more competitive economy and a leaner state. Third Anniversary of Catastrophic Floods On Tuesday, three years have passed since the catastrophic floods and earthflows that devastated parts of Slovenia. The disaster, which claimed numerous lives and caused extensive damage, remains a somber chapter in the country’s recent history. While the immediate aftermath saw significant recovery efforts, the memory of the tragedy continues to shape discussions around climate resilience and infrastructure investment. Former Minister Warns of Risks for All Citizens and Future Pensioners A former minister, Emilija Stojmenova Dušan, warned that the interim law poses risks for current and future pensioners. She criticized the law as a threat to the social state, noting that it could lead to significant financial losses for the health insurance fund, estimated at nearly 96 million euros annually. The pension fund estimates that the law could cost over 640 million euros per year in the long term. She concluded that the law represents a danger for everyone, including herself, and stated that she would vote against it on the referendum. Current Coalition Opposes the Law The current coalition holds a different view. Premier Janez Janša, who has previously criticized the constitutional court’s decisions, stated that the people will now decide whether they want lower taxes, cheaper food, higher wages, and higher pensions. He noted that the decision was predictable but expressed concern over the court’s past rulings. Other coalition leaders, including the head of the National Council of the Slovenian People's Party (NSi) and the minister for infrastructure, Jernej Vrtovec, have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the benefits of the law for citizens and the nation. Large Autumn Conflict In the political arena, the decision has triggered a major conflict. The constitutional court’s ruling has led to tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition, as well as among business representatives and trade unionists. While the coalition and business sectors generally view the decision as harmful to Slovenia’s competitiveness, opponents of the law, who have dubbed it the “law for the rich,” celebrate it as a victory for democracy. The decision has also prompted criticism from the left-wing party, Levica, which has accused the government of using the law to benefit the wealthy. Former minister Emilija Stojmenova Dušan has warned that the law could lead to significant financial losses for the health insurance fund and the pension system, estimating annual costs of over 640 million euros. She has vowed to vote against the law on the referendum. Minister Rončević Criticizes Left-Wing Ideology Minister for Education Borut Rončević has strongly criticized the left-wing ideology behind the law, accusing the party of promoting a model based on exploitation and laziness. He has announced that the school reforms will emphasize values such as curiosity, creativity, diligence, and ambition, which he argues are essential for societal progress. He warns that the left will resist these reforms, as they challenge the prevailing narrative of dependency and passivity. First Referendum, First Battle The ruling coalition, composed of moderate right-wing and economically liberal parties, quickly took action after being elected, aiming to address the economic challenges posed by extreme leftist policies under Robert Golob. They enacted a law intended to restore Slovenia’s economic stability and facilitate easier growth for businesses. The extreme left opposition, lacking representation in the government, turned to the referendum as their final option. The parliamentary majority initially blocked the referendum, citing its financial implications. The constitutional court later overturned this decision, arguing that the law contained a mix of financial and non-financial matters. This decision has been interpreted as a sign of weakness by the left, marking the first time Slovenia has a government without any extreme-left party. The current composition of the constitutional court leans towards the left, as evidenced by several deviations from previous rulings. Despite this, some analysts believe the court’s decision reflects a certain level of understanding of the situation. Battle Against Lies Left-wing extremists have already launched a campaign claiming that the referendum will reduce taxes for the wealthy and privatize healthcare. These claims are largely based on the fact that workers in the public sector receive net salaries and do not see their gross salaries, unlike in Switzerland, where employees pay taxes directly from their income. In Slovenia, the government will explain how reduced taxes will result in more money for citizens, despite the lack of transparency in the system. Mahnič Attacks Constitutional Court, Ideologue of SDS Jambrek on Ignoring Decisions Following the constitutional court’s decision to allow the referendum, SDS MP Žan Mahnič publicly attacked the judges, calling them "bad guys" who block the development of the country. He warned that a serious reconsideration is needed to determine whether to continue respecting the court’s decisions, which he labeled as a political extension of "radical leftism." Premier and leader of SDS Janez Janša commented on the decision, calling it "rule by the un-elected." As a solution, he proposed changing the electoral system and electing new constitutional court judges through a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority. However, many have overlooked that the lawyer Peter Jambrek had already spoken about the possibility of the right-wing MPs triggering a "constitutional crisis" in case the left majority on the constitutional court made a decision without a constitutional basis. Jambrek suggested that the constitutional court could become irrelevant, and the political sphere could simply ignore it. Despite the current coalition’s stance, the decision has not been universally accepted. The current composition of the constitutional court, consisting of nine judges appointed by the parliament for a nine-year term, has gradually changed over time. The current makeup includes Katja Šugman Stubbs, who has served since December 2018, Rok Čeferin, the current president, Rok Svetlič, who began his mandate in 2021, and Neža Kogovšek Šalamon, the vice-president. Recent appointments include Nina Betetto, Primož Gorkič, Marko Starman, Tam