The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Miro Cerar, Labour Minister Anja Kopač Mrak and more than 50 representatives of municipalities, public enterprises, banks, insurance companies and humanitarian organizations. Both ministers added that this is not the only step the government is making towards helping the poor and towards strengthening the welfare state.

Kopač Mrak stressed that both the state and private companies have already written off a lot of debt, but the new legal framework will streamline the process. She said she was aware that the agreement cannot remedy all ills, but she believes that everyone should be pleased with what has been achieved so far. She added that by the end of the year, they would issue special prepaid cards to those whose bank accounts have been frozen.

In his speech, Cerar compared Slovenia to a ship that hit rocks – mostly through its own fault – but now the damaged ship is headed towards smoother waters.

T. H.; translated by D. V.