By: Peter Jančič, Spletni časopis
“We talked about public and accessible healthcare, a sustainable pension system, and housing for young people,” announced Robert Golob after a closed-door meeting of MPs and ministers from Svoboda, SD, and Levica parties at Brdo pri Kranju. He emphasised the coalition’s goals in these areas: “These are shared objectives that we can achieve by the end of this term, and we will accomplish them together. This is the best foundation for the coalition to confidently enter the next elections and seek a second mandate.”
As I have previously reported, when it comes to pension reform, the coalition has already legislated astronomical privileges for the artistic elite, similar to the generous pension bonuses granted to athletes and sports officials seven years ago. A referendum on pension supplements for artists is likely, with SDS wrapping up signature collection. However, this was not the main topic of the press conference. In terms of healthcare reform, the most notable event was the dismissal of Minister Danijel Bešič Loredan, who had been leading the reform effort. Yet, this was also not the primary focus.
At Brdo pri Kranju, the Prime Minister, as communicated by his office, referred to the coalition’s commitments from last September regarding accessibility and quality in public healthcare services. “In the meantime, we have fulfilled these promises. A law on service quality in the public healthcare system has been passed and is in the parliamentary process. The healthcare services act, which will significantly reshape the division between the public healthcare system and private service providers, is on the verge of adoption.”
The coalition was also briefed on the progress of pension reform, which Golob described as being in its final stages. “The purpose of the entire pension reform is to ensure a financially sustainable public treasury while also enabling new retirees in the coming years to receive the most dignified pensions possible. One way we will achieve this is by increasing the pension calculation percentage,” the Prime Minister stated. He also confirmed that the required years of service would remain at 40, with no extensions planned.
However, caution is warranted when discussing the increase in the pension calculation percentage. If tied to other changes, such as extending the period considered for pension calculations, the actual pension amount could decrease. Such adjustments often raise concerns about fairness for those whose pensions have already been determined under previous rules.
Regarding rental housing construction, the Prime Minister stated that projects would be introduced to the public progressively. “What gives us optimism is that every month, we see more potential projects available,” he said, expressing confidence that this initiative will not be limited to this mandate, but that the main results will come in a second term. “Simultaneously, new housing legislation is being prepared, set to be released for public discussion next week and approved by the government in April,” he announced.