In practical terms, this means that electricity bills will be higher soon. Due to a lack of funds for subsidies on electricity produced from renewable sources – which the government should have provided –, households and small businesses will have to pay an additional tax on the electricity they use, while big industrial consumers will be exempt from duty, reports Radio Slovenija.

“According to our estimates, the average electricity bill will be higher for about a euro, which means a little more than 10 to 15 euros per year. We have estimated that this would not put substantial burden on the consumers,” argues Peter Gašperšič, the Minister of Infrastructure, in relation to the cost for households.

The government does not seem to think the cost is significant, but the representatives of small businesses, trade unions and activists for consumer rights are outraged. Common taxpayers have to carry the burden again, they say, and socially endangered people will be weighed down the most.

T. H., MMC; translated by K. Z.