PM Miro Cerar reviewed the reports sent in by his ministers and conducted talks with the ministers. Although the possibility of a government reshuffle was announced before the new year, it seems that there will be no reshuffling of the cabinet.

The government was shook by a number of scandals in recent months. Mostly criticized were the Minister of Finance, Dušan Mramor, and the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Maja Makovec Brenčič, for receiving unlawful standby bonuses. PM Cerar openly backed his two ministers.

The priority for 2016 will be to further improve the living standards of people. PM Cerar expects crucial shifts in the health system, like for example reducing hospital waiting times. One of the priorities will also be to establish a long-term care system, said Cerar.

According to the PM among the priority tasks will also be reducing court backlogs and making the state administration more accessible to citizens. Cerar also stressed the government's environmental stance, announced a tax reform for this year through which the government aims to cut operating costs, and mentioned an overhaul of the country's labour legislation. The changes should make Slovenia more attractive to foreign investors. The PM stressed that the country must remain outwardly open.

With regards to the refugee crisis, PM Cerar said Slovenia would continue to show humanitarianism and solidarity in the crisis and continue to invest with all means possible in the safety of Slovenian ctizens.

A. Č.; translated by K. J.