Head of the The Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia (DeSUS) Karl Erjavec expects a new coalition agreement even before nomination of new ministers. He believes heads of all the parties should be in the government. Igor Lukšič replies that DeSUS should rather concentrate on finding a new minister and not cause additional problems.
"The position of the head of Social Democrats (SD), which has the largest support according to the public opinion research, is quite comfortable. If Lukšič refuses to join the cabinet, I will think about persisting in it as Foreign Minister," said Erjavec, according to Mojca Šetinc Pašek.
Pensioners in favour of substantial government reconstruction
Karl Erjavec made the announcement at the press conference following the meeting of DeSUS select committee with its deputy group, and representatives of the Slovenian Federation of Pensioners' Organizations (ZDUS). He believes that goals should be redefined by a new coalition agreement in order to finish the term. DeSUS intends to insist on "earnest and substantial government reconstruction". They believe that this government would gain strength if all heads of coalition parties, including Igor Lukšič, assumed responsibility.
DeSUS should not concern itself with SD actions
Civil List considers requests by DeSUS reasonable, while Lukšič responds: "We are talking about replacement of two ministers who resigned, therefore about a technical question. DeSUS should concentrate on the real task, and not create new problems. They should not occupy themselves with the Social Democrats’ actions."
Han hopes Erjavec will sleep it off
The head of the SD parliamentary group Matjaž Han does not see any need for fulfilling these expectations, or for Lukšič to join the cabinet. "If individual parties started making conditions on which of them should nominate a minister, or a certain person into the cabinet, we wouldn't get very far," he told the press. Han hopes the government won't fall because of one minister, or one person, as during their term they have prepared several legal measures to help the state exit the crisis. Therefore he believes Erjavec "will sleep it off", reports Slovenian Press Agency STA.
Sometimes a politician says too much
He is aware of the fact that at this moment governing is very difficult, and it is also very difficult being a politician. Sometimes "a politician says too much". According to Han's understanding a coalition agreement is an agreement between equal partners, and as far as appointing of ministers is concerned each party is entitled to independent and sovereign decisions.
SD without a handicap
Han says Social Democrat is aware of political stability. He assures that their party, as well as their president, have excellent communication with ministers and members of parliament, and feel no impediments. In spite of the appeal for cabinet reconstruction Han sees no need for sacrificing any of their ministers, as he believes the Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek is also aware of their quality.
An agreement is about agreeing, and not requesting
The head of the SD parliamentary group Matjaž Han emphasized that the renewal of the coalition agreement is not requested by DeSUS, but it has been agreed upon by the coalition party, as the present agreement is valid only until March. On the last coalition summit it was agreed to start writing a new coalition agreement in the beginning of January, he explained.
The National Assembly received a notice from the Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek on resignation of the Minister of Economic Development and Technology Stanko Stepišnik, and the Minister of Health Tomaž Gantar.