Due to opposition by the Ministry of Finance, the government has decided to obtain the missing financial means – about EUR 100m per year – by relocating funds from the state budget. The Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure, Peter Gašperšič, is satisfied with this decision, since this will secure enough money for maintenance. What is more, in two years' time there should be some money saved for new projects.

Until recently, Gašperšič had claimed there was no other option for repairing worn-out roads and railway tracks but to introduce a new tax called 'the petrol cent'. However, after talks with the Ministry of Finance Gašperšič determined the proposal was not the best solution.

Instead, the government has secured about EUR 100m per year in the 2016 and 2017 state budgets, noted Gašperšič. The sum will suffice to prevent the condition of roads from worsening, while a few dozen million euros will be additionally secured by the national reform programme as well as the stability pact. After two years, the Ministry expects to be able to support new investments, too.

The agreement has not left the Association of Slovenian municipalities fully convinced. According to Mayor of Pivka, Robert Smrdelj, such solution is not sustainable in the long run. Nonetheless, abandoning the 'petrol cent' idea has been welcomed by hauliers. The Slovenian Association of Transport suggests that the government should encourage competitive petrol prices, which would enable the state budget to collect more excise tax.

E. S., Radio Slovenija; translated by K. Z.