Government adopts opinion on the proposal to call a consultative referendum on the provision of a stable supply of low-carbon electricity

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has adopted its opinion on the proposal to call a consultative referendum on the provision of a stable supply of low-carbon electricity, which was submitted to the National Assembly by a group of deputies headlined by mag. Borut Sajovic, Jelka Godec, Janez Cigler Kralj and Jani Prednik.

The Government supports the proposal to call a consultative referendum with a question regarding the implementation of the new nuclear power plant project in Krško (JEK2), which, together with other low-carbon sources, will ensure a stable supply of electricity. The opinion will be sent to the National Assembly.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister

Government adopts opinion on the proposed recommendation to ensure the transparent functioning of institutions and the preservation of Slovenia's sovereignty

At today’s correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted its opinion on the proposed recommendation that the Government ensure the transparent functioning of institutions and the preservation of Slovenia's sovereignty, which has been submitted to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia by a group of deputies, and forwarded it the National Assembly. In the proposed recommendation, the group of deputies proposes that the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia recommend that the Government of the Republic of Slovenia:

- demand that the European Commission disclose all objectives of the meeting between Vice President Věra Jourová and the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia and all internal communication related to Jourová's visit to Ljubljana, address an official complaint to the European Commission over interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Slovenia,

• in the event of an unsatisfactory or untimely response from the European Commission, it consider using the legal remedies available under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
• it ensure the sovereignty of the Republic of Slovenia in its work and in relation to the institutions of the European Union,
• it call on the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia to consider resigning.

The Government notes that it is committed to the transparency and publicity of its work and the rule of law, which includes all the postulates of the law-governed state, including the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.

In relation to other state authorities, the Constitutional Court is an independent and autonomous authority. For the Constitutional Court judges to be able to perform the function of guardian of the Constitution, their independence and impartiality must be ensured throughout the performance of their function.

Government representatives did not attend the meeting between the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia and Commission Vice President Věra Jourová, nor did the government ask for the record of this meeting. Otherwise, it could give the impression that it is attempting to interfere in the work of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia and influence its independence and impartiality.

The case cited by the group of deputies in the explanation related to a request to disclose documents that are not documents of the Government, another state authority or an independent state institution, but are documents of one of the institutions of the European Union. In the specific case of the request for the disclosure of European Commission documents, the European Commission has provided answers based on Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.

The Government believes that any further proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the competences of each of the institutions and the rights they enjoy, and the obligations imposed on them in accordance with EU law, and that the Court of Justice of the EU, which is the only institution competent to interpret and judge on EU law, has provided a clear answer regarding the specific issue of access to European Commission documents.

The Government does not have the authority to call on the President of the Constitutional Court or any other Constitutional Court judge to consider resigning. The procedure for early dismissal of a Constitutional Court judge is regulated in detail by the Constitutional Court Act, which in terms of the reasons for the dismissal of the Constitutional Court judges follows the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia.

The executive branch of power may not encroach in an unconstitutional manner on the functioning of an independent state authority, which in this case is the highest constitutional body that protects constitutionality and lawfulness as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Considering the above, the Government opposes the adoption of the proposed recommendation for the transparent operation of institutions and the preservation of Slovenia's sovereignty, as it would lead to a violation of the principles of the rule of law.

Source: Ministry of Justice

Government takes a position on the Fiscal Council's assessment of budget documents

The Government today adopted its position on the assessment of the Fiscal Council of the Republic of Slovenia regarding the budget documents for the 2025-2027 period. Among other things, the Government notes that, at the moment, it does not yet have at its disposal all the information required to draft a final medium-term fiscal strategy that would satisfy both national and EU requirements.

The Government notes that the Ordinance on the framework for the drafting of general government sector budgets for the 2025-2027 period and the draft 2024 Stability Programme were prepared due to the requirements of the Fiscal Rule Act and that they will be upgraded into a comprehensive fiscal strategy by autumn. This year is a special year, as the revised relevant EU legislation will enter into force at the end of April or the beginning of May, and the European Commission will not forward the required consolidation calculations until 21 June. At the moment, the Government does not yet have at its disposal all the information required to draft a final medium-term strategy that would satisfy both national and EU requirements.

Regarding investments, the Government noted, among other things, that investment by the state reached a record high last year. In planning investments in 2024, the government also took into account a higher volume of investments as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the continuation of investments after last year's floods, a higher volume of integral funds from the state budget intended for investments mainly in transport and transport infrastructure, and of funds for defence and protection. The other units of the general government sector (public institutions and funds, budgetary funds and companies) will also report a high volume of investment in the current year). At the same time, the Government also explained again that, due to legal requirements, investments must be planned in their full amount.

Regarding current spending, the Government explains that it is largely bound with social benefits in the broader sense. In the calculated estimates, the Government has taken into account all currently applicable legislation, projected demographic trends and forecasts on the labour market. The main component of social benefits is the expenditure on pensions which, among other reasons, is increasing because pensions are indexed in a systemically regulated manner. The highest indexation of pensions took place this year, and relatively high indexations are also planned in the coming years in accordance with the macroeconomic forecast. Social benefits are also increasing due to the top-up health insurance being merged with the mandatory health insurance, and long-term care reform will also contribute to the growth of social transfers in 2026 and 2027.

Regarding the assessment of whether the fiscal path is appropriate, the Fiscal Council mentions an error in the calculation of the structural indicators, while ignoring the fact that, in accordance with both the old and new rules, the assessment of the path of fiscal consolidation, and not just an automatic mathematical calculation, is also important. The calculations and graphs included in the draft 2024 Stability Programme will be adjusted in accordance with the new facts about the implementation of one-off measures and a more precise methodology, which will be determined for the drafting of the medium-term fiscal-structural plan this autumn. Uncertainties regarding estimates are always present, and mathematical assessments are particularly uncertain in structural and primary balance calculations, as pointed out by various institutions and experts.

Regarding the assessment of debt sustainability, the Government notes that there is a liquidity reserve in the state budget of EUR 5.47 billion, or 8.2% of gross domestic product (GDP), while a total expenditure of EUR 1.85 billion in the 2024-2027 period is envisaged under the baseline scenario. In terms of the amount of the general government debt expressed as a proportion of GDP, Slovenia is below the average for the EU and the euro area, and it also remains so in the medium-term projections.

On the basis of the assessment of the Fiscal Council, the Government officially concluded today that the exceptional circumstances that allowed the departure from the fiscal rules in the past four years have ended.

Source: Ministry of Finance

Government appoints mag. Apolonija Oblak Flander the Director of the Statistical Office

At today's correspondence session, the Government appointed mag. Apolonija Oblak Flander the Director General of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia for a five-year term, until 24 April 2029, with the possibility of re-appointment.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister