PM Cerar assured that his SMC party does support the privatization process. Foto: BoBo
PM Cerar assured that his SMC party does support the privatization process. Foto: BoBo


According to PM Cerar the main issue at the meeting was to continue the discussion about the government priority plan. The government also touched on the hike in value of the Swiss franc and its consequences on debtor-creditor relationships. The Swiss franc issue will also be a special topic of discussion at tomorrow's government session. The Ministry of Finance is already preparing its stance on the issue and will present it tomorrow.

The government wishes to harmonize its priority plans with a timetable and with the amendments to the 2015 state budget, which is expected to be confirmed next week. Cerar said he plans to present the government's main priorities next week. The key tasks will be GDP growth and job creation. He added that the government also needed to continue with structural reforms.

Cerar to personally commit himself to some of the projects
Priority will be given to infrastructure projects and to the health reform, which PM Cerar personally supports. Among the priority tasks is the building of a second coastal railway track and modernizing the country's railway network in general. The costs are not to exceed the capacity of next year's budget.

PM Cerar further assured that his SMC party does support the privatization process. He said he was also aware of "some of the sensitive aspects of the process". That's why the government, the parliament, and all relevant institutions, such as the SDH Slovenian State Holding, need to ensure a transparent sales process and agree to a reasonable, internationally accepted price, for the state companies on sale. PM Cerar added that they would also need to choose buyers which were interested in developing the company and increasing the number of employees.

Cerar confirmed that he has already received a state assets management strategy from finance minister Dušan Mramor. A government debate on the issue is set to begin. Cerar explained that once the government chose its strategy, it would then be open to public debate.

Cerar also touched on media reports about a possible party rift and potential plot against him from within his own SMC party. The PM is convinced that there is no opposition inside the SMC party, but that "different opinions do exist". Touching on the opposition to the privatization process from within the coalition, Cerar said that there were two campaigns – one for the privatization and another against it. According to Cerar those against the process have different motives for their position. Some are truly concerned about the future management of the state’s assets, while others are worried about other things –leading positions and other similar gains.