Presentations of Ministers outlined the direction of the new government

Voting on the government team planned for Thursday

17. september 2014 ob 11.46 • Ljubljana - MMC RTV SLO

Ministerial candidates were heard by the relevant committees. Foto: BoBo

The 16 ministerial candidates successfully went through their presentations in front of the relevant parliamentary committees. The final act is scheduled for tomorrow: the confirmation of the ministerial candidates of Miro Cerar government by the National Assembly, and the swearing in of the ministers that they will act in the benefit of the country.

The ministerial presentations have already indicated the direction the 12th Slovenian government intends to take. They will try to give back to Slovenia the lost economic independence, also by putting into effect the recommendations given by the European Commission.
The aim: to regain economic independence
From what was said at the parliamentary commissions it seems the 12th Slovenian government will concentrate on reestablishing the economic independence Slovenia lost for lack of funds for its operation and payment of debts. That's also the reason the Cerar government will have to consider the requests made by the European Commission. The future Minister of Finance Dušan Mramor, expected to take the main role in the Cerar's team, does not hide this fact.
Violeta Tomc is expected to act as a coordinator if Mramor encounters any problems, especially with unpopular decisions – at least that's how her ministerial position is understood. The predictions show that the health reform won't present any difficulties; Mramor and the candidate for the Minister of Health Milojka Kolar seem to be coordinated, as well as the coalition.
The opinions on the pension scheme reform are much more diverse. The future Minister of Labour Anja Kopač Mrak estimates Slovenia doesn't need it, yet Mramor most certainly won't overlook the fact that Brussels demands it. The future public administration minister Boris Koprivnikar will have to swallow a very bitter pill immediately, and reach an agreement with public servants; failure would cost the state 350 million euros.
Privatization will continue
The sale of property will still present the slippery ground, as for all the governments until now, but the first steps are already known. Dušan Mramor and the future Minister of Economy Jožef Petrovič are coordinated: the sale of 15 companies can't be stopped any more. The promise has been given, and Slovenia needs to fulfill it. Most likely the presidents of the DeSUS and SD party, the new old ministers Karl Erjavec and Dejan Židan are aware of that fact, as it would be difficult for them to oppose the decision they had the active part in making.
High on the priority list of the Cerar government is the establishment of the rule of law. Goran Klemenčič, the likely Minister of Justice, predicts that the changes in judicial system are urgent, but he does not intend to approach them with fire and sword.