57-year old Zdravko Počivalšek, chairman of Terme Olimia spa for the last 15 years, was already sworn in as the new minister, making the Slovenian government again complete, as all ministerial positions are now taken. The new minister announces that he will strive to defend business from additional burdens – on his hearing at the competent board he stood for stopping the increase of taxes for business.

PM Miro Cerar understands his position, and is convinced Počivalšek will bring about an even more balanced approach towards coordination of social partners. In his opinion preservation of social peace is crucial, i.e. "predictability and stability of the system as a whole, as such is more favourable for business, without demonstration and strikes". The Prime Minister estimates that in such a situation it is easier to encourage economic growth.

He does not consider himself crisis manager
One of the main points of the programme of the new economy minister is establishment of the supporting environment, i.e. better conditions for business operation, as "we need to reverse the negative trend from the last years". The time will show, he says, whether the ministry of economy needs a crisis manager. "I don't consider myself as such; I try to employ common sense in making moves which I consider essential for moving forward," the new minister said. The area he is facing is, according to his words, more extensive than what he has been doing until now, but he believes he still possesses "some logic, and intellect", to make the right moves.

He intends to become operative within a couple of weeks
According to Cerar, Počivalšek has already familiarized himself with the work of the ministry, and he is also "a very experienced manager with knowledge of institutions and of people from his past experiences in this field, and is knowledgeable about problems".

PM is convinced that the new minister will become operative within a couple of weeks, and he will make his first moves very soon, within days.