Hello.
Prime Minister and Freedom Movement President Robert Golob,
Minister and Coordinator of the Left Asta Vrečko,
and Minister and President of the Social Democrats Matjaž Han
will present the conclusions of today's Coalition Summit.
At today's Coalition Summit, we reexamined and confirmed
the commitments our coalition has made to the people.
Three areas we discussed today concern all generations.
We talked about accessible public healthcare,
a sustainable pension system,
and housing for young people.
I can say that the coalition has come together,
that we not only share our goals but can realize them
by the end of the term,
and that we'll realize them together.
That's the best way for the coalition
to get ready for the next election
and win a new term.
That's our common determination.
A quick look at the various areas:
Our first subject was strengthening the public healthcare system.
Perhaps some of you remember the previous summit in September,
when we introduced measures to improve accessibility and quality.
These measures have since come true.
We introduced legislation to ensure quality in healthcare,
and the Healthcare Activity Act is about to be passed by Parliament.
It represents a huge change to the current system
by introducing a firm distinction between the public system
and private providers.
It has a single goal: to strengthen the public healthcare system
and reward all the committed, motivated employees
in the public healthcare system, from carers and nurses to doctors,
thereby ensuring they will be able to spend more time
on their patients.
I'd like to add that in 2024 alone,
more than 40 regulations, administrative acts,
and other documents have been passed
in the field of healthcare.
This shows that this most complex of reforms
consists of many small steps,
and that we'll carry on in this direction.
It's a complex system that needs to be reformed
the right way using small steps.
In the field of planned reform to the pension system,
we were informed about the state of negotiations.
As you probably know, the negotiations
between the social partners are nearing their conclusion,
which is expected late this week, so we can't go into detail.
The purpose of this reform is to ensure sustainable
public finances, while also guaranteeing new retirees,
those who will retire in the next few years,
to receive fair pensions.
One way to achieve this is by increasing
the rate of withheld taxes.
But let's allow the negotiators to conclude their work.
We'll have enough time to discuss this publicly.
However, I can already say that we won't extend
the contribution period, which will stay at 40 years.
The third area is the expedited construction
of public rental housing. This is something
that has been discussed a lot in public.
Today, some specific projects have been introduced.
We're dealing with more than 2000 projects,
where construction could get underway by the end of this year
or the beginning of 2026.
These projects will be introduced to the public when launched.
We're optimistic when we see
more potential projects every month.
We're therefore confident that this construction project
is not just feasible,
but that the results will be seen mostly in the next term,
which is perfectly fine.
At the same time, we have housing legislation in the works.
It will be ready for public consultation next week
and then confirmed by the government in April.
In conclusion, we stuck to three areas,
where we made commitments before the election
and where we feel we will make good
on our commitments by the end of the term.
We don't want this to be all talk.
We want the results to speak for themselves, and the results
will be apparent in all three areas before the end of our term.
Thank you. Go ahead, Minister. -Ladies first.
OK, thanks.
Thank you to the Prime Minister for the introduction.
As mentioned, we organized this summit primarily
to go through our key projects.
None of these three areas is simple or easy, and all three
are based on the concept of solidarity.
This is important because governments in the past
failed to tackle much-needed reforms with this in mind.
We heard two interesting bits of data from Minister Maljevac.
First was the fact that between 2001 and 2022,
4400 rental homes were built. That's 200 a year.
This year, on the other hand, more than 2000 affordable
public homes will be built.
The construction will start. -Their construction will start,
but we've completed just as many during our term.
This is an irreversible trend.
The robust system required for the construction of housing,
from the idea to completion,
represents a long process that had ground to a halt.
For various convenient reasons, the previous governments
refused to tackle this. Another data point is telling.
Between 2015 and 2022, only a bit more than €15 million
were invested into this sector.
On the other hand, we've set aside €151 million, including this year,
while in the budget that has already been approved,
the government will set aside €251 million
for the construction of affordable public housing.
This data shows that we've taken our election promises seriously
and that we're going to realize them, regardless of
of how difficult that is and what kind of foundation we were given.
Because of that, I'm proud of the Ministry
for a Solidarity-Based Future and am glad to be a part
of a government that is taking affordable rental housing
for young people seriously.
Access to housing is a human right, and we failed to give
this enough attention in the past.
Another important topic that is also solidarity-related
is healthcare. Over the past 12 years,
including two terms in the opposition,
the Left has placed healthcare at the top of our priorities,
It affects every one of us.
Being healthy is a privilege. Sadly, life is unpredictable,
and we often need access to healthcare
in the most difficult circumstances.
No one wants to be met with a closed door.
The system we've set up... I need to point out
that the Left and Minister Valentina Prevolnik Rupel
are working together very well and that she knows how to listen
to various actors and coalition partners.
The system that has emerged here and is will be approved by MPs
is a good system.
It will repair certain important features that have broken down
over three decades, and most of all,
it will create a clear distinction between public
and private healthcare. Since independence,
this distinction has broken down. It's not a good thing for patients
when politicians argue about healthcare.
Once again, I stress that the Left is happy
to be members of this coalition,
that we have a good framework in all key areas
where we set goals at the start of our term,
and healthcare is one of them. Thank you.
Thank you. I will be quick. Today, we talked
about three acts
that will affect everyone in our society.
We can be satisfied with the pension reform
that Luka Mesec presented. It goes in the right direction.
I will not say more right now
because the coordination is in the last phase
and it is important
that the Economic and Social Council agrees on it.
It has to be coordinated with the young and old because the reform
will come into force next year
and will stay in force for 15 years.
We are going in the right direction and the Social Democrats support it.
The healthcare reform is in the second phase.
The legislation is in the Parliament.
We think it is necessary
to bring order in the healthcare system,
so that everyone will be able to get to the doctor.
It is not easy, but I believe we will handle it in the next months
and when the legislation is passed,
patients that need the healthcare system
will see positive results. The third topic is housing.
I will not talk about numbers because it is not necessary.
What matters is that the Government will finance it
with state funds.
We need the basis. Appartements cannot be built in half a year,
but we will prepare the basis for the Public Housing fund
to be stronger. We have to follow two goals.
Affordable housing for the middle class
and because there will be more housing available,
it will become cheaper because the prices have skyrocketed.
If we manage to do this, we achieved our goal.
We are going in the right direction. It is not easy,
but after today's coalition summit,
I am optimistic. Thank you. -Now, it is time for questions.
Andreja has the microphone. I ask you
to first introduce yourselves.
Žana Vertačnik, Pop TV. Did you talk
about the most important topic globally, the defence policy
and bigger defence spending?
Even if you did not, I want to know your opinion
on how much you are willing to spend on defence
and where you would take the money. Thank you.
I will be quick. We did not talk about it today.
We will talk about it in the next months. As I already said,
we are still preparing the plan.
Any commitments will be confirmed in June
at the NATO summit. I want to stress
that we all agree that defence and safety does not just mean weapons.
We do not have any doubts about that.
Our plan is to build defence and safety
as an allied country in the international community,
but at the same time, we will build our resilience
that will benefit our citizens.
We will present the plan in April
and send it to the Parliament and there will be public discussion.
I want to use this opportunity for something else
the media has been reporting about, the tragedy in North Macedonia.
I want to express my condolences to the victims' families
and solidarity with the nation. Slovenia has responded swiftly
and offered help. Our plane is in Macedonia
to transport some wounded, today probably two,
to the University Medical Centre for treatment.
This is a part of the resilience I talked about.
Tragedies happen all the time
and we have to be prepared. The resilience of our system
we are famous for will get its place
in our future plans for improving defence and safety.
Do you want to add something? -Just one thing.
I want to express my condolences
to North Macedonia after this tragedy.
I do not remember any such tragedy
and I am glad Slovenia responded immediately.
Today, we did not talk
about defence. We are talking about it.
We have different views inside our parties as well,
but we cannot avoid this topic
because there are wars near us.
I think it is hard to achieve peace with more weapons,
but I am a responsible politician and our party will make the decision
that will benefit our citizens.
In the Left, we already expressed our condolences to Macedonia
and all the families. So many lost young lives
can affect the whole generation.
It is a tragedy and I agree with the prime minister.
Thank God we have the public healthcare system
that can offer treatment
to some survivors,
physical treatment and later, I am sure, mental as well.
In the Left, we have said many times
that defence and stability of our country
starts with public services, with public school system,
healthcare and social state and this is the basis
for our resilience, so that together,
we can face geopolitical challenges
ahead of us, on one side, horiffic wars
and genocide also in Europe, right in front of us,
and on the other side, the rise of populism
in Germany, in Europe and in the USA.
The situation is not exactly rosy.
Today, we talked about topics that are important for us
today, but also tomorrow, just like everything else.
Thank you. -Next question. -Luka Mlakar, N1.
You did not talk about defence,
but the smaller parties
expected to at least start the discussion.
Why did you not?
Are the reason different opinions inside the parties
and the coalition? Has the coalition
already realised
that we will have to spend more on defence?
How much more and when? Can you tell us more?
I have nothing to add. -Next question.
Veronika Rupnik, Dnevnik. I have a question about two reforms,
the long-term care and tax reform. I want to know
if you will think about postponing or lowering the contribution
because we know there will be problems.
And about the tax reform, have you changed your mind
about a just property tax? Thank you.
You're the Prime Minister.
It's always nice when you ask us about things
that we haven't talked about.
We're happy to tell you what we have talked about,
but what you're asking about is a matter for the next few months,
and when we have taken decisions, we will let you know.
But just to illustrate,
none of these topics that you've mentioned,
including the issue of defence expenditure,
is something that will resolve itself.
We will have to deal with them thoroughly,
but that's for another time.
Are there any other question? -Yes, Nastja Stopar, TV Slovenia.
Given that you have set your objectives today,
I would like to know about the property tax.
Is this matter finished for this term?
And perhaps a question for Ministers Han and Vrečko.
Why did you not raise this subject today?
Have you not made any proposals at all on defence expenditure?
Let me start with the last question. We are all aware of the situation,
but today there were these three topics,
which are also very important,
which concern every citizen.
On defence talks. Of course, we will have to talk about that,
because Europe will also have to talk about that.
There is no need, because there is no budget rebalance being adopted,
to talk about it now. But we're aware of the gravity of the situation.
As far as tax legislation is concerned,
as far as I am aware, over 500 comments have come in.
We're now waiting to see what new starting points
the Ministry of Finance will give. But we are realists,
elections are just a year away. Thank you.
Your colleague has already asked your first question,
and the Prime Minister said we would inform you
in due time, this was not discussed today.
Any more questions? -Petra. -Go ahead.
As far as long-term care is concerned,
it's already under way,
it's just that the contribution will start to be collected in July,
and the rights will come into force gradually.
Part of long-term care is already being implemented,
this has already been covered in previous acts.
We will, of course, also be presenting
everything that is happening before the summer.
The citizens, who are making the submissions,
know very well anyway that they are being dealt with,
and that the matter is ongoing.
As far as defence is concerned, I think we have said it all.
For us, the first matter of security is the welfare state,
and the important things that are happening
are also affecting Slovenia. Many steps have been taken.
I think it is also important what we have done,
after all, with Palestine,
when Slovenia became one of the voices of reason.
And we have done that here, too, through the kind of talks
that we're all having together in the Government,
among the coalition partners and with the MPs. Thank you.
Next question. -Domen Anderle, STA.
I would like to know if all of the coalition partners
are happy with and stand firmly behind the Health Services Act.
Is there any prospect of a further amendment
before the session of the National Assembly?
What might follow before the end of term?
Are there any other major changes in healthcare
and in what direction will they go?
And the topical issue, which has been dragging on for some time.
Urgent care centres and emergency ambulance services
are suffering from an overload of work and understaffing.
Have you perhaps spoken about this as well?
Can the employees in these very critical areas of the health service
hope for some solutions?
First of all, with regard to the emergency medical centres.
In this term, we have made it considerably easier
to recruit medical staff from abroad.
I believe this is one of the ways in which we will also be able
to help relieve the staff shortage in the future.
For more information, as the plan is complex
and the Minister is much better at presenting it than I am,
I would advise you to speak directly to the Ministry,
which will also give you specific explanations with specific steps.
Concerning the Health Services Act,
it received unanimous support today.
It's always possible to improve things with amendments,
but we don't intend to change it in any way.
It's one thing if something is submitted with a view to improvement,
but certainly not with a view to changing direction.
New acts in this area and especially new implementing regulation
are still in the pipeline.
As I said, last year alone, there were 40,
and this year there will not be much fewer.
There is no point in listing them all now.
But this area will be active until the end of term.
There will be a huge amount of small, but very important changes.
You can get the specific plan at the Ministry,
where they also have timelines and know which act comes first.
We're at a stage where we have to keep an eye on the order
in which the acts are submitted, so that one doesn't block another,
which has a higher priority.
One last question.
Is the Health Services Act the main health reform act?
Given that the Prime Minister has said
this reform will be completed by the end of term.
You said you needed two terms to complete the reforms.
Has that changed now? Will you speed it up?
Will you address the problem at primary level,
where there are 150,000 people without a doctor?
Mr. Han, I'm interested in your comment
on the administrative dispute regarding the Spirit tender
that Mr. Von Horvath has brought.
Thank you very much. To answer the second question,
everyone in this country governed by the rule of law
has the possibility of an administrative dispute,
including Mr. Von Horvath.
I hope you will not make any connection with us now.
Prime Minister, about the Health Services Act.
I always like to point out that when we took office,
we said that we would set out a programme
that would take two terms.
No government usually does this because it's afraid
of taking such bold steps. That's why, in the last 30 years,
no one has really undertook reforms, least of all in healthcare.
About the health reform ... Yes, the key and central act
that I believe will mean the first decisive step
towards ending moral hazard in healthcare
is precisely the Health Services Act.
That's why it is crucial and the reform is based on it.
That doesn't mean it's the only one that has been implemented.
The Health Care Quality Assurance Act preceded it,
and many other acts and regulations will succeed it.
You are asking me specifically about people without a doctor.
This issue is also already being addressed.
After all, there are clinics for these people,
where they have access to a doctor,
they just don't want to choose a personal doctor.
There is a distinction, don't say they don't have a doctor.
They don't want to choose one.
There are changes coming in this area in the future.
So, no, the health reform that we have presented
will be completed by the end of this year.
It will then be followed by regulations,
which will have to make sure
it's also implemented in an appropriate way
that puts the rights of the patient first.
The work doesn't end tomorrow or in a month's time,
but it will continue.
This is probably even more logical and understandable
in the area of housing policy.
We are beginning construction this term.
Of course, after a year or two of construction,
the housing will be completed in the next term.
If we were to look only through the optics of likeability in a term,
none of the areas we have discussed today would even be touched upon.
Žana Vertačnik, one last question. -I will merge two into one.
Mr. Han, I would like to ask you for a further comment
on Mr. Horvath, who is pointing the finger specifically at you,
that you revoked the tender because of political pressure,
and that the whole affair is about the political manipulation
of job destruction.
Then I have a question for all three of you.
It seems that we are heading for another referendum
on pension supplements for top artists.
Will all three parties be involved in the campaign,
and what do you hope will come out of this?
Thank you. -Thank you for the first question.
I really don't know what to do anymore as a minister.
If I revoke a tender without any pressure,
because I don't think that the matter is transparent,
then I don't know. Of course, everybody has the possibility,
Mr. Von Horvath is not the only one who has recourse to legal remedies,
there are 24 or 25 companies with revoked decisions,
so it's difficult for me to comment.
What was the second question? -The referendum.
We haven't talked about it yet, because we are still waiting
for the SDS to collect the signatures.
Minister.
Yes, first of all, of course,
the Left Party will absolutely get involved in the referendum campaign.
I expect the other two parties to do so too,
because this is an opportunity to make a statement on this subject.
What do I expect from this referendum?
To be quite honest and frank,
I expect a lot of lies, manipulation, foisting, insults,
discrediting of artists, culture, manipulation of data
and, of course, emotional blackmail,
and political point-scoring on the account of pensioners
by the largest opposition party, the SDS.
This is what they do before every election.
This time, they have chosen culture to wage their cultural struggle
and election campaign on a modest little act,
which has no great consequences of this or that kind,
which they have been enforcing themselves,
until now it hasn't bothered anyone, but now it bothers all of them.
I expect nothing nice. I think this could have been avoided,
and, above all, we could have avoided spending 6.6 million
of taxpayers' money on it. Thank you.
Prime Minister.
The Freedom Movement shares the view just presented by Minister Vrečko,
and we will, of course,
reject all the arguments of the opposition,
which is in fact trying to manipulate people
into supporting their plans
of impoverishing Slovenian culture.
I would not add much more, because we have seen from day one,
literally from day one of this government's term,
that the opposition is simply using every possible manoeuvre
for one purpose. To delay the implementation of the reforms.
They have been submitting acts that they know will not be adopted.
They have been launching referendums that they can't win.
They are doing everything with the sole purpose of delaying
the work of the coalition,
without any realistic chance of implementing anything.
They are afraid of our reforms,
because we are changing our society for the better in the long term.
It is those individuals who have benefited
from the current state of disarray over the last 20 years
who are driving this opposition.
Thank you very much, that concludes the press conference.
Thank you to all the speakers and representatives of the media.
Goodbye. -Thank you.