Koalicija na brdu s planom rada do kraja godine

The new coalition government led by Prime Minister Janez Janša has outlined its priorities following its first formal meeting, with a focus on addressing the legacy of the previous administration under Robert Golob, implementing European directives, and advancing key projects in healthcare, culture, and infrastructure. The coalition, comprising the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), New Slovenia (NSi), and the Social Democrats (SLS), has acknowledged that the former government left behind a challenging situation, particularly in terms of financial management and project implementation. According to reports, the previous administration had left a budget deficit of around €1.2 billion, and several projects were poorly executed. At the coalition meeting, officials noted that the initial months will be dedicated to implementing European directives, especially in areas where Slovenia is lagging and faces potential penalties. Deputy Director of the Government Communications Office, Sebastjan Jeretič, stated that Slovenia is significantly behind in several sectors, including finance, environment, and economy. A revised budget balance is expected to be confirmed by the end of August. During the meeting, ministers presented their priorities by ministry, informing MPs of the legislation they expect to see debated this year. However, detailed information on specific laws was not yet disclosed, as this was the first comprehensive meeting of the entire coalition. For NSi, priority areas include reducing waiting times in healthcare, long-term care, better conditions for entrepreneurs and farmers, and ensuring the effective operation of the Skok public procurement system. The coalition has also set aside several projects in the health sector aimed at increasing the activity of the Slovenian Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS). In infrastructure, efforts will be directed toward accelerating existing projects, building the second block of the Krško nuclear power plant, and constructing the third lane on motorways. Cultural priorities include changes to media laws and reforms related to Radio and Television of Slovenia (RTVS). Several ministries have already outlined their plans for the remainder of the year. At the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, key tasks include digitizing environmental procedures, aligning the climate law with European regulations, extending deadlines for municipalities to adopt spatial plans, and improving the efficiency of accessing European funds in housing. The Ministry of Demography, Family, and Social Issues has identified long-term care and personal assistance as central priorities, focusing on abolishing contributions for retirees and speeding up decision-making processes. The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development highlighted the preparation of legislation for establishing regions. The normative work plan is expected to be approved by the government within the coming week and subsequently published publicly. The government will hold remote sessions until mid-August, according to Jeretič. The next coalition meeting is anticipated to be more content-focused, though no specific date has been set yet. Premier Janša did not face criticism regarding the early functioning of the coalition, which Jeretič described as unified. He emphasized that maintaining unity among coalition partners would be crucial for fulfilling campaign promises and achieving the goals outlined in the coalition agreement. The coalition has also indicated readiness for a potential referendum season, with plans for a referendum on amending the law on parliamentary inquiry. However, the legality of a referendum on an intervention law for Slovenia’s development must first be assessed by the Constitutional Court. These developments signal a focused approach to governance, emphasizing both immediate legislative actions and long-term strategic planning.