WEBVTT 00:00:06.613 --> 00:00:10.059 Hello. At its 85th meeting, the government 00:00:10.180 --> 00:00:14.523 the government approved an amendment setting the highest allowable 00:00:14.644 --> 00:00:18.522 supplementary health insurance premiums. Finance Minister 00:00:18.643 --> 00:00:22.196 Klemen Boštjančič will tell us more. I should also add 00:00:22.343 --> 00:00:25.983 that at today's meeting, the government, as the founder 00:00:26.170 --> 00:00:30.363 and sole owner of the Slovenian Press Agency, signed a contract 00:00:30.484 --> 00:00:33.492 for the operation of the agency in 2024. 00:00:33.697 --> 00:00:38.843 Compared to this year's contract, its amount is €125,000 higher, 00:00:38.990 --> 00:00:46.723 an increase of 5.5%, making the total €2,397,000. 00:00:46.997 --> 00:00:50.789 As was the case this year, the monthly compensation level 00:00:50.937 --> 00:00:53.389 won't depend on the story count, 00:00:53.510 --> 00:00:56.956 but will come in the form of a monthly payment 00:00:57.103 --> 00:01:01.070 in twelve equal amounts, of just under €200,000. 00:01:01.203 --> 00:01:05.729 We expect to sign the contract with the Slovenian Press Agency's CEO 00:01:05.850 --> 00:01:09.309 tomorrow. Minister, the floor is yours. 00:01:14.297 --> 00:01:16.129 Hello. 00:01:16.277 --> 00:01:20.363 Today, the government set the legal basis 00:01:20.523 --> 00:01:24.709 for compensation to be paid out to insurers for losses incurred 00:01:24.896 --> 00:01:30.200 because of cap imposed on supplementary health insurance 00:01:30.321 --> 00:01:33.334 in the amount of €65.67. 00:01:33.670 --> 00:01:36.463 This concerns three insurers that provide 00:01:36.643 --> 00:01:41.250 supplementary health insurance. These insurers will have the option 00:01:41.423 --> 00:01:45.702 to file a claim within four months after this goes into effect 00:01:45.823 --> 00:01:49.409 for the compensation of the difference between 00:01:49.530 --> 00:01:53.136 the costs of the services rendered 00:01:53.283 --> 00:01:56.363 and the insurance premiums charged 00:01:56.517 --> 00:01:59.603 by the supplementary health insurance plans. 00:01:59.750 --> 00:02:04.183 The insurers will be able to file compensation claims 00:02:04.350 --> 00:02:08.330 from the period from the day the premium hike was announced 00:02:08.477 --> 00:02:12.743 to December 31, 2023, at the Ministry of Health. 00:02:12.876 --> 00:02:16.883 To ensure that the budget payments for this purpose are based 00:02:17.030 --> 00:02:20.476 on appropriate data, the proposal requires 00:02:20.610 --> 00:02:24.516 the data to be verified by an accredited auditor, 00:02:24.657 --> 00:02:28.596 while the Insurance Supervision Agency will examine the data 00:02:28.770 --> 00:02:33.283 as part of its oversight authority. If fraudulent data is submitted, 00:02:33.423 --> 00:02:36.315 the insurance company will need to reimburse 00:02:36.436 --> 00:02:38.456 all the unjustified claims. 00:02:38.583 --> 00:02:42.623 This legal basis also addresses the crucial issue 00:02:42.737 --> 00:02:45.090 of the insurers' solvency, 00:02:45.243 --> 00:02:49.263 so that they will be able to maintain sufficient capital 00:02:49.390 --> 00:02:53.683 in accordance with EU regulations and our legislation. 00:02:53.804 --> 00:02:57.696 The provisions of the amendment that pertains to the level 00:02:57.817 --> 00:03:02.283 of compensation will remain in effect until June 2024. 00:03:03.356 --> 00:03:07.523 I'd just like to make sure that if the wrong figure was given, 00:03:07.650 --> 00:03:11.423 the amount is €35.67. 00:03:11.563 --> 00:03:16.823 Didn't I say that? -If you misspoke... 00:03:16.944 --> 00:03:22.103 I'd like to repeat the figure: €35.67. 00:03:22.370 --> 00:03:24.763 Any questions on this subject? 00:03:25.890 --> 00:03:29.853 OK. Then we have nothing here. 00:03:29.963 --> 00:03:34.337 Please raise your hands online if there are any questions. 00:03:36.177 --> 00:03:40.556 I'll ask a question. -You'll need to step up here, Mr. Perš. 00:03:40.750 --> 00:03:46.066 Introduce yourself to everyone and ask your question. 00:03:48.383 --> 00:03:55.323 Hello, Minister. My name is Luka Perš of the website Prava.si. 00:03:55.910 --> 00:04:01.236 You mentioned the supplementary basic insurance... 00:04:01.363 --> 00:04:04.796 What will now be considered supplementary insurance, 00:04:04.917 --> 00:04:07.823 in the amount of €35.67. 00:04:08.137 --> 00:04:11.749 Some said that this would create a €100 million deficit 00:04:11.870 --> 00:04:16.569 that would be covered from the budget. Is that still the case? 00:04:16.703 --> 00:04:22.923 The decree approved today by the government and prepared jointly 00:04:23.077 --> 00:04:28.576 by the Health and the Finance Ministries 00:04:28.697 --> 00:04:34.080 enables the losses suffered by the insurers in 2023 00:04:34.201 --> 00:04:39.196 to be compensated in the amount of the difference between €35.67 00:04:39.343 --> 00:04:46.423 and the amount of direct expenses incurred by the insurers. 00:04:46.556 --> 00:04:51.643 That exact amount is not yet known, and it may vary among insurers 00:04:51.757 --> 00:04:55.557 because it will be calculated based on provided data, 00:04:55.717 --> 00:04:59.153 primarily from the state insurer. 00:04:59.597 --> 00:05:04.569 As I mentioned, the Health Ministry will manage the process, 00:05:04.690 --> 00:05:08.743 while the Insurance Supervision Agency will also play a role. 00:05:08.916 --> 00:05:14.543 This will cover the difference, and the government has enabled 00:05:14.689 --> 00:05:18.649 three insurers to have this amount covered from the date 00:05:18.810 --> 00:05:24.063 of the announced premium hike, which wasn't the same for all three, 00:05:24.203 --> 00:05:26.923 to the end of the year. 00:05:27.070 --> 00:05:33.363 It's also significant that the insurers who make these claims 00:05:33.530 --> 00:05:39.863 will give up any other legal claims against the Republic of Slovenia. 00:05:40.710 --> 00:05:44.110 No one has raised their hands online. 00:05:44.243 --> 00:05:47.870 So there are no more questions on this subject. 00:05:48.482 --> 00:05:52.803 Apparently not. The minister is available for other questions. 00:05:53.623 --> 00:05:56.763 Hello. Lara Draškovič, Slovenian Press Agency. 00:05:56.923 --> 00:06:00.076 My first question is about where the government 00:06:00.197 --> 00:06:03.763 is right now regarding the tax on sugary drinks. 00:06:03.883 --> 00:06:07.303 When will the bill be sent for public deliberation 00:06:07.443 --> 00:06:11.603 and what changes will it bring? Also, regarding the preliminary 00:06:11.724 --> 00:06:15.270 agreement with the public sector, has the government 00:06:15.391 --> 00:06:18.796 approved it and when can we expect it to be signed? 00:06:20.423 --> 00:06:24.903 Tomorrow at the latest, but probably today, the Finance Ministry 00:06:25.057 --> 00:06:30.056 will place changes to the Excise Duty Act up for debate. 00:06:30.176 --> 00:06:34.756 These proposed changes relate to two areas. 00:06:34.930 --> 00:06:38.123 First, we have excise taxes of tobacco products. 00:06:38.263 --> 00:06:41.603 This is the main reason for our proposal. 00:06:41.790 --> 00:06:45.510 For certain groups of tobacco products, 00:06:45.631 --> 00:06:50.363 we've reached the upper taxation limit, 00:06:50.503 --> 00:06:53.986 so our legislation must provide an opportunity 00:06:54.107 --> 00:06:57.640 for the government to... As you know, tobacco taxes 00:06:57.761 --> 00:07:02.076 are usually changed twice a year by a few percentage points, 00:07:02.230 --> 00:07:06.856 so the government will be able to carry on this policy 00:07:06.990 --> 00:07:09.816 in 2024 and the years ahead. 00:07:09.957 --> 00:07:17.449 The second proposal as part of these changes to the Excise Duty Act 00:07:17.583 --> 00:07:20.343 is an increase in alcohol excise taxes. 00:07:20.523 --> 00:07:27.436 We'll propose hikes proportional to the inflation rate 00:07:27.558 --> 00:07:31.145 since the last alcohol tax hike, 00:07:31.290 --> 00:07:37.976 which took place in 2014. 00:07:38.237 --> 00:07:42.703 As for high-sugar drinks, snacks, and potentially 00:07:42.837 --> 00:07:50.209 other unhealthy food, this proposal doesn't cover 00:07:50.383 --> 00:07:53.216 or address that area. 00:07:53.390 --> 00:07:59.623 The government has indicated several times 00:07:59.770 --> 00:08:05.909 that it is planning changes to how sugary drinks are taxed, 00:08:06.070 --> 00:08:11.763 and potentially unhealthy foods, but mostly drinks. 00:08:11.910 --> 00:08:14.536 However, this is still being discussed, 00:08:14.677 --> 00:08:19.529 primarily by the Health Ministry, the Finance Ministry, 00:08:19.663 --> 00:08:22.009 and two strategic councils. 00:08:22.150 --> 00:08:28.163 I trust we'll have a proposal ready within a month or two. 00:08:28.330 --> 00:08:34.256 We'll introduce it when it's ready, but that may not be as part 00:08:34.377 --> 00:08:38.649 of changes to the Excise Duty Law. If that happens, we'll submit 00:08:38.777 --> 00:08:45.443 another change, but there's a chance it could be done in another form, 00:08:45.590 --> 00:08:49.903 such as a VAT increase or a special tax on high-sugar drinks. 00:08:50.043 --> 00:08:53.243 We've been announcing that for quite some time, 00:08:53.397 --> 00:08:56.663 but the internal debate within the government 00:08:56.784 --> 00:08:59.876 and the strategic councils is not yet finished, 00:09:00.043 --> 00:09:03.410 as this is a complex issue, which includes analyses 00:09:03.557 --> 00:09:06.956 of the consequences, and when we reach a conclusion 00:09:07.077 --> 00:09:10.196 and a compromise, we'll let the public know. 00:09:10.410 --> 00:09:13.316 As for the agreement with the public sector, 00:09:13.463 --> 00:09:17.283 has the government approved that? -As you know, 00:09:17.443 --> 00:09:23.316 my colleague Props and I initialed an agreement 00:09:23.450 --> 00:09:28.663 with the labor unions regarding the coordination of the wage scale 00:09:28.810 --> 00:09:33.589 in 2024. You know the basics. 00:09:33.750 --> 00:09:37.483 There is 80% coordination with the December year-to-year 00:09:37.650 --> 00:09:41.636 inflation rate, which will be published in late December 00:09:41.757 --> 00:09:46.224 or in early 2024. It will go effect on June 1, 00:09:46.377 --> 00:09:48.869 along with wages paid out in July. 00:09:49.010 --> 00:09:52.836 The government familiarized itself with this matter today, 00:09:52.997 --> 00:09:58.042 but it hasn't approved it yet primarily because 00:09:58.163 --> 00:10:01.810 of the second part of the agreement, 00:10:01.977 --> 00:10:04.752 which concerns early payouts of bonuses. 00:10:04.873 --> 00:10:09.705 They will get it together with the wage for February, 00:10:09.825 --> 00:10:14.986 which means in March. The allowance and its payment 00:10:15.637 --> 00:10:19.633 are defined in collective agreements, 00:10:19.753 --> 00:10:24.925 therefore, we have to change them 00:10:25.045 --> 00:10:28.956 to make an earlier payment even possible. 00:10:29.076 --> 00:10:33.666 This is why we have not discussed it yet, we were just briefed. 00:10:33.786 --> 00:10:38.313 I believe the Government is in agreement 00:10:38.433 --> 00:10:42.118 that this is the right step, but we will ratify it 00:10:42.238 --> 00:10:47.862 when the annexes are ready. There are two agreements that need them 00:10:47.982 --> 00:10:51.178 and we will do it at the beginning of the year. -Thank you. 00:10:51.298 --> 00:10:54.757 Thank you. -Ema Čepon, Urša Vrečar and somebody else 00:10:54.877 --> 00:11:00.696 from Pop TV, but I do not see their name. Go ahead. -Hello. 00:11:00.925 --> 00:11:04.559 I have two questions. First, about the agreement with trade unions. 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:11.039 Do you know how much the adjustment of wages will cost? 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:16.333 Minister Mesec said 00:11:16.554 --> 00:11:21.270 you will talk about the pension reform after the new year. 00:11:21.390 --> 00:11:24.933 Can you say something more as the Minister of Finance? 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:29.466 The financial consequences 00:11:29.586 --> 00:11:35.034 are not known yet, because we do not know how high the inflation will be. 00:11:35.154 --> 00:11:39.600 We will know that on 31 December or at the beginning of January. 00:11:40.563 --> 00:11:46.648 If the inflation will be as high as predicted, 00:11:46.768 --> 00:11:51.351 which means 5.4%, the cost 00:11:51.471 --> 00:11:57.462 of today's agreement will be €160 million or €140 million 00:11:57.582 --> 00:12:00.715 because the wages for December are paid next year. 00:12:00.835 --> 00:12:06.378 If we look at the money current, it will cost €140 million. 00:12:06.498 --> 00:12:11.565 During last weeks and months, the Government has been working 00:12:11.685 --> 00:12:17.471 on measures to curb the prices where we can, 00:12:17.591 --> 00:12:22.077 I am talking about the price of energy 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:28.726 where we saw a positive effect already in November. 00:12:28.846 --> 00:12:33.875 Therefore, we expect the inflation to be lower 00:12:33.995 --> 00:12:37.233 as predicted in September. 00:12:37.377 --> 00:12:41.899 The actual costs 00:12:42.020 --> 00:12:45.315 will be known in about ten days. 00:12:48.247 --> 00:12:51.253 Yes. -Anything else, Ema Čepon, Kaja Kobetič? 00:12:52.638 --> 00:12:56.378 There was ... -About the pension reform. 00:12:58.567 --> 00:13:04.253 The pension reform is a part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan 00:13:04.373 --> 00:13:10.528 and is also one of the key or maybe even the most important reform 00:13:10.648 --> 00:13:13.598 which will ensure the stability of public finances 00:13:13.718 --> 00:13:19.382 and address challenges, connected with the ageing population. 00:13:19.502 --> 00:13:25.100 The situation has changed a lot during last years. 00:13:25.977 --> 00:13:29.066 Young people start working later 00:13:29.732 --> 00:13:34.333 and will retire later as well. 00:13:34.453 --> 00:13:37.933 On the other hand, the life expectancy is longer. 00:13:38.123 --> 00:13:43.151 It is clear the pension reform is necessary. 00:13:43.271 --> 00:13:46.533 We have known it for at least 15 years. 00:13:47.222 --> 00:13:53.430 No Government has tackled it. The reform is sensitive, 00:13:53.550 --> 00:13:55.294 but it is necessary. 00:13:55.415 --> 00:14:01.433 A lot of European countries have passed it in the last 10, 12 years. 00:14:02.537 --> 00:14:08.153 The Ministry of Finance has a very clear stance on this. 00:14:08.811 --> 00:14:14.792 The Ministry of Labour is responsible 00:14:14.912 --> 00:14:16.703 for preparing the reform, 00:14:17.032 --> 00:14:22.135 but we have been cooperating closely with them 00:14:22.355 --> 00:14:27.739 to find solutions. I will not talk 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:31.328 about the details yet. 00:14:31.448 --> 00:14:33.448 It is a very complex topic 00:14:33.568 --> 00:14:38.954 which will have to be extensively publicly discussed. 00:14:39.074 --> 00:14:44.333 I believe we will find a broad consensus. 00:14:44.734 --> 00:14:46.386 Thank you. TV Slovenija. 00:14:55.086 --> 00:14:57.620 Wait a little. 00:14:59.865 --> 00:15:01.465 Give it a try. 00:15:05.703 --> 00:15:10.645 Can you try to speak please, because we can't hear you here. 00:15:11.112 --> 00:15:13.745 We don't hear you. You had similar problems last time, 00:15:13.866 --> 00:15:16.304 the problem is on your side. 00:15:16.789 --> 00:15:21.086 Maybe if you wrote in the chat what you want to ask. 00:15:21.214 --> 00:15:24.016 Are there any other questions in the meantime? 00:15:24.137 --> 00:15:28.843 Yes, we have another question here, while you write in the chat. 00:15:28.964 --> 00:15:32.095 Yes, please step up to the microphone. 00:15:32.253 --> 00:15:35.944 Once again, Luka Perš, online media Prava.si. 00:15:36.675 --> 00:15:39.665 First... Just a moment, here it is. 00:15:40.203 --> 00:15:45.212 Yesterday I saw Levica wrote 00:15:45.487 --> 00:15:50.193 that the "mailbox" construction companies will be closed. 00:15:50.314 --> 00:15:53.402 Those that are sending workers abroad. 00:15:53.653 --> 00:15:56.527 I found an opinion of Mr Jože P. Damijan. 00:15:56.648 --> 00:15:58.905 I would like to read it to you. 00:15:59.026 --> 00:16:00.964 He wrote the following. 00:16:01.305 --> 00:16:04.682 This is one of the biggest stupidities I've seen this year 00:16:04.803 --> 00:16:07.837 (and there were quite a few of them). Why? 00:16:07.958 --> 00:16:11.101 Because the export of construction and technical services 00:16:11.222 --> 00:16:16.032 represents more than 2.5 billion euros in revenue for Slovenia. 00:16:16.153 --> 00:16:19.529 Our workers abroad receive wages on par with Austrian, 00:16:19.650 --> 00:16:22.794 German, Swedish and so on for the same work 00:16:22.915 --> 00:16:24.942 in accordance with EU regulations. 00:16:25.063 --> 00:16:30.727 They pay social transfers (healthcare and pension) in Slovenia, 00:16:31.316 --> 00:16:34.668 even though the majority of workers do not benefit from these services. 00:16:34.789 --> 00:16:36.644 They also pay Slovenian income tax. 00:16:36.765 --> 00:16:40.367 The announcement to stop this practice means 00:16:40.488 --> 00:16:45.065 that Slovenia will lose a potential 2.5 billion euros in export revenues 00:16:45.186 --> 00:16:49.530 and inflows to the budget, as well as healthcare and pension funds. 00:16:49.651 --> 00:16:51.995 These revenues will go to Croatia and Bosnia, 00:16:52.116 --> 00:16:57.054 where Slovenian companies will open their branches. 00:16:57.489 --> 00:17:01.025 Does anyone in Levica have at least a shred of understanding 00:17:01.146 --> 00:17:03.933 about the economy and Slovenia's interests? 00:17:04.054 --> 00:17:09.614 If you're asking about the so-called act on cross-border services 00:17:09.735 --> 00:17:13.503 this topic has been relevant for more than half a year. 00:17:13.624 --> 00:17:16.933 We discussed it at economic and social councils. 00:17:17.054 --> 00:17:19.695 The Government, specifically the Ministry of Finance, 00:17:19.816 --> 00:17:23.962 presented its calculations in June and supplemented them in September. 00:17:24.083 --> 00:17:27.341 We also had a series of talks with economic associations, 00:17:27.462 --> 00:17:29.070 they presented their calculations. 00:17:29.190 --> 00:17:35.285 These calculations, of course, confirmed our calculations. 00:17:36.096 --> 00:17:39.519 Let me just remind you why a change in legislation 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.499 occurred in the first place. 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:47.430 Because Slovenia violated European legislation with this kind of act. 00:17:47.551 --> 00:17:52.595 Austria was the first to draw attention to this in Brussels. 00:17:53.097 --> 00:17:56.892 Now, I will not comment the actions of Croatia, 00:17:57.013 --> 00:18:02.340 but I think Croatia will very soon follow Slovenia in this regard. 00:18:02.461 --> 00:18:07.326 They are in the EU and will have to follow the same rules. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.988 Let me just briefly comment on the numbers you mentioned. 00:18:11.109 --> 00:18:14.445 I'm hearing them for the first time, but the numbers are... 00:18:14.566 --> 00:18:19.183 I don't know how to put this. -A bit too high? 00:18:19.304 --> 00:18:21.414 Not a bit too high. 00:18:23.034 --> 00:18:28.564 So exaggerated that I don't think they're worth commenting on. 00:18:28.685 --> 00:18:32.408 Regarding what individual advisors and professors are able 00:18:32.528 --> 00:18:35.579 to write for individual clients, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:37.960 of course, I also have my own opinion. 00:18:38.081 --> 00:18:39.931 Ok. Another question. 00:18:41.085 --> 00:18:45.884 Preiskovalno.si published an article 00:18:46.368 --> 00:18:50.015 about the fuel price margins. 00:18:50.291 --> 00:18:52.986 The Government has passed a regulation 00:18:53.107 --> 00:18:57.715 which doesn't really suit oil derivatives providers. 00:18:58.062 --> 00:19:04.993 I read they're threatening with road blocks, 00:19:05.114 --> 00:19:07.821 strikes and so on. 00:19:09.415 --> 00:19:11.908 I'm hearing this for the first time. 00:19:12.029 --> 00:19:16.520 Of course, the oil traders are not satisfied with the regulation 00:19:16.641 --> 00:19:18.260 of the prices of oil derivatives. 00:19:18.381 --> 00:19:22.129 We have a clear answer, we've been talking about it for more than a year. 00:19:22.250 --> 00:19:26.129 In Slovenia, we have a distinctly oligopolistic 00:19:26.496 --> 00:19:29.766 market of oil derivatives. 00:19:30.065 --> 00:19:34.897 It is much less competitive than in our neighbouring countries, 00:19:35.018 --> 00:19:37.490 which is why I think it is absolutely appropriate 00:19:37.611 --> 00:19:40.053 that prices in Slovenia are regulated. 00:19:40.174 --> 00:19:44.487 On the other hand, as I said at the beginning of this speech, 00:19:44.608 --> 00:19:47.423 in recent months, the Government 00:19:47.544 --> 00:19:50.300 has been working very intensively on reducing inflation. 00:19:50.421 --> 00:19:55.285 We can do this in very limited areas, most prices are not regulated, 00:19:55.406 --> 00:20:00.637 they are freely formed on the market. This does not apply to energy prices, 00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:04.822 so the government intervened in their prices, 00:20:04.943 --> 00:20:08.181 which resulted in some of the lowest prices 00:20:08.302 --> 00:20:11.142 of petroleum products in Europe today. 00:20:11.263 --> 00:20:15.916 But the key reason for this is the fight against inflation. 00:20:16.037 --> 00:20:20.454 We are really trying to reduce it as much as possible. 00:20:21.088 --> 00:20:27.900 We do not want to reach a point where the European Central Bank 00:20:28.189 --> 00:20:32.433 will start lowering the base interest rate. 00:20:32.643 --> 00:20:35.439 Inflation in Slovenia would remain high, 00:20:35.560 --> 00:20:41.205 which, in the long run, would make reducing inflation much harder. 00:20:41.364 --> 00:20:44.755 That is why we are doing all that is necessary. 00:20:44.943 --> 00:20:49.220 We are lowering state levies 00:20:49.341 --> 00:20:55.685 and we also reduced traders' margins somewhat, where possible. 00:20:55.982 --> 00:20:58.732 I should also point something out, 00:20:58.853 --> 00:21:03.853 as we are prone to comparing ourselves to specific countries, 00:21:03.974 --> 00:21:07.058 when it suits certain interest groups. 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:11.175 You mentioned the Transnational Services Act with Croatia 00:21:11.296 --> 00:21:16.713 and I gave my opinion on Croatia's compliance with EU legislature. 00:21:17.175 --> 00:21:21.871 When we compare ourselves in petroleum product prices ... 00:21:21.992 --> 00:21:26.284 Another important point, Croatia also regulates their prices, 00:21:26.405 --> 00:21:30.917 but unlike Slovenia they also have regulated prices on highways. 00:21:31.038 --> 00:21:34.574 Highway prices are not yet regulated in Slovenia, 00:21:35.425 --> 00:21:40.589 but margins there did increase significantly in the last two years. 00:21:40.972 --> 00:21:46.023 We received a question from RTV on excise duties. 00:21:46.144 --> 00:21:50.761 They want to know how much money the raise is expected to yield 00:21:50.996 --> 00:21:53.949 and what it will be intended for, 00:21:54.070 --> 00:21:57.308 healthcare, flood recovery, social transfers? 00:21:57.941 --> 00:21:59.948 Regarding the excise duties, 00:22:00.069 --> 00:22:04.069 with tobacco we are basically raising the ceiling 00:22:04.264 --> 00:22:07.764 and implementing the policy we have had for years, 00:22:07.885 --> 00:22:10.635 a biannual raise of a few percent, 00:22:10.756 --> 00:22:14.538 which has been in force in Slovenia for a long time. 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:17.989 That is why we have to do this. 00:22:18.244 --> 00:22:20.494 The raise in tobacco duties, 00:22:20.615 --> 00:22:24.986 which has had similar increases for a few years, 00:22:25.322 --> 00:22:32.119 yields approximately 25 to 30 million more per year. 00:22:32.361 --> 00:22:37.432 It is estimated that a raise in excise duties for alcohol 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:42.247 would also yield approximately 30 million euros per year, 00:22:42.368 --> 00:22:46.729 with the inflation from 2014 to today. 00:22:47.135 --> 00:22:51.799 I should point out that this is a bill for now. 00:22:52.025 --> 00:22:54.478 It will be put in a public debate, 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:57.933 after which we will have final solutions. 00:22:58.627 --> 00:23:00.923 I think we were quite exhaustive. 00:23:01.044 --> 00:23:05.557 Would you like to add anything on the excise duties, Minister? 00:23:06.478 --> 00:23:08.900 No, I think that's it. 00:23:12.729 --> 00:23:15.813 We wanted to be transparent with this, 00:23:15.934 --> 00:23:20.650 which is why we will put this bill up for a public debate today 00:23:20.771 --> 00:23:23.521 or tomorrow morning at the latest. 00:23:23.830 --> 00:23:27.604 We will comment and take measures after the hearing. 00:23:27.807 --> 00:23:30.017 Where comments are also welcome. 00:23:30.138 --> 00:23:34.729 Mr. Perš, I think we can now conclude this press conference. 00:23:34.979 --> 00:23:37.767 This is probably the last one this year, 00:23:37.888 --> 00:23:41.392 hopefully there will be no more natural disasters. 00:23:41.513 --> 00:23:46.686 We wish everyone a happy and successful New Year. Minister? 00:23:46.807 --> 00:23:50.141 I would like to thank all our colleagues, 00:23:50.366 --> 00:23:53.678 in the government as well as the journalists 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:57.149 who wait here patiently for sessions to end, 00:23:57.270 --> 00:24:01.520 which can take hours and have uncertain conclusions. 00:24:01.834 --> 00:24:09.331 So, thank you for persevering, we are all doing our jobs. 00:24:09.452 --> 00:24:14.972 I wish you all happy holidays, I hope we can all get some rest 00:24:15.164 --> 00:24:20.081 so we can begin next year, which will be full of challenges, 00:24:20.202 --> 00:24:25.200 with as much energy and positivity as possible. 00:24:25.398 --> 00:24:27.753 Thank you, goodbye. -Thank you.