Prime Minister Golob: "Housing policy has gained significant momentum"

In his address at the opening ceremony for the new residential neighbourhood, the Prime Minister emphasised that the first results of the long-term reform of housing policy have begun to emerge in recent months.

"We are opening new homes and creating the conditions for new families across Slovenia. Not only in Ljubljana, but across the whole of Slovenia. Our country is home to wonderful people and we want our population to grow rather than decline in the future. That is why we need homes," the Prime Minister said, explaining the importance of accelerating the construction of public rental housing.

He added that housing had long been neglected, but that in recent years housing policy has gained significant momentum not only in Slovenia, but across Europe. "Across Europe, housing – homes for families – is increasingly being highlighted as a key issue for young working people. A key issue. Without it, nothing else is possible," the Prime Minister stressed.

The Prime Minister explained that the housing reform is a project through which the Government aims to ensure that as many young people as possible can secure a home of their own. "I would like to emphasise that housing must primarily be intended for young people, young families and specific needs – including public sector staff housing," he added.

"The charm of city life has always lain in community. This neighbourhood is the finest example that even in these times the spirit of community can be preserved," the Prime Minister concluded, thanking all stakeholders involved in the construction of the housing development on Zvezna Street.

Simon Maljevac, Minister of a Solidarity-Based Future, also praised the implementation of the housing reform in his address. "Today is an important day not only for the City Municipality of Ljubljana, but for the entire country. It shows that we have the knowledge, the capacity and the determination to build public non-profit housing – systematically, responsibly and with a clear objective: to ensure access to an affordable home. A home is a right," he stressed.

In his address, Sašo Rink, Director of the City of Ljubljana’s Public Housing Fund, emphasised that conditions in the housing sector have changed significantly during the term of the current Government. "Stakeholders in the housing sector feel exceptionally strong support for our work – both in terms of the state’s administrative and institutional framework and in terms of the legislative framework and financial support put in place by this Government," he said. He added that they can now plan investments more easily and look to the future with fewer concerns for all those waiting at their doors who at present cannot obtain an independent housing unit. The new apartments in Ljubljana were also welcomed by the Mayor of the City Municipality of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković.  

The Prime Minister also visited the Neurology Clinic at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, where he met with the management and staff. He was presented with the most advanced equipment for endovascular procedures in interventional neurology. The University Medical Centre Ljubljana has acquired four new magnetic resonance (MR) scanners as part of the modernisation of its diagnostic equipment – two 3-tesla (3T) units and two 1.5-tesla units. Three MR scanners have been installed at the Clinical Institute of Radiology, while one is located at the Neurology Clinic. The new equipment represents an important technological step forward and will also enable approximately 20 per cent more MR examinations, thereby increasing the diagnostic capacity of the healthcare system. Dr Marko Jug, Director General of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, welcomed the acquisition of the new equipment, noting that each device is outstanding in its field.

In a statement to the media following the meeting with the leadership of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana and the Neurology Clinic, the Prime Minister stressed that each of us is only human and that health is the one value we all share – and the most precious one. "A strong public healthcare system has been our top priority since the Government took office. And a strong public healthcare system is also the priority we will defend before voters on 22 March and pursue in the next mandate," the Prime Minister stressed. He added that anyone visiting the University Medical Centre Ljubljana can see what public healthcare means in practice.

"We are talking about a system in which everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to the most complex and demanding treatments available in the world. The equipment available in our clinical centres and the expertise of the staff working there are comparable to those of the best centres in the world. And that is exactly as it should be. Because the people of Slovenia deserve to have access to the best possible therapies," the Prime Minister said. "The task of every government should be to strengthen precisely this – the knowledge and motivation of those working in the healthcare system. To ensure the best possible working conditions and the most advanced equipment so that healthcare professionals can truly fulfil their mission," he added.

He also said that he was encouraged by what he had seen during visits to healthcare institutions in recent months, noting that he repeatedly observed a spark in the eyes of the staff. "It is a spark that reflects a desire to acquire new knowledge and the commitment to ease the suffering of fellow human beings and help improve their health. Above all, it is the spark of contributing to a stronger community," he added, expressing his gratitude to all medical staff – doctors, care staff, midwives, nurses, and to all those working in the healthcare system – for being there for people when they need them most and cannot help themselves. "You are the ones who truly take care of us. As a Government, we will continue to strive for several things, and one of them will certainly be to ensure sufficient resources and understanding so that you can work in the best possible conditions. Only in this way will you be able to fulfil your mission within the public healthcare system," the Prime Minister concluded.