By: Nova24tv.si
“We do not want and will not move back the timetable, but we will remove all obstacles overnight and mark the project with mandatory completion by the end of 2027. And since inhabitants of Koroška are not the sheriff of Ljubljana, to whom, despite violating the laws and the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, all ruling politics are justified and bowed down to, we simply cannot afford what he afforded. Dear Golob, inhabitants of Koroška do not agree to the machines humming at the construction site of the third development axis when the cameras arrive, and because we do not agree to new delays in timelines, and because we do not agree to the fact that due to the repayments of those who put you in power, you are taking money for the development of the rest of Slovenia,” MP Helbl told Golob.
Today, at 2 pm, a question-and-answer session for Prime Minister Robert Golob was held in the National Assembly. The first question was asked by NSi MP Jernej Vrtovec, and it referred to the tax reform: “Tax reform is the foundation of everything… At the summit of the coalition, it was said that from January 1st, 2024, the tax burden on wages would be relieved, so that taxpayers would have more money in their wallets, which is right. At the same time, it was said that from January 1st, 2025, Christmas bonus, holiday pay will be additionally taxed, progressive taxation of real estate will begin, etc.” Vrtovec also reminded that a “big upheaval” followed later, when it was no longer known whether the tax reform would take place or not. The government side made excuses for its own mistakes in communication. At the same time, Vrtovec was mainly interested in how to ensure a predictable tax environment and whether it is possible to afford not to carry out the tax reform due to increasing expenditures in the state budget.
“Just for salaries in the public sector, we allocated around 600 million euros of financial resources in the last six months (coordination with inflation, planned reforms, etc.). The key is how to provide resources in our budget without tax reform? My view and the view of NSi is that with lower tax burdens we can collect more money for the national budget. At the same time, I am interested in what is the opinion of the coalition?” Vrtovec was also interested in what happened to the timeline of January 1st, 2024, and January 1st, 2025, and what the coalition is planning with the tax reform. Golob: “The tax reform must be taken in a wider context. It was never meant to fill the budget with it. And I completely reject this part,” he said at the outset. As he also said, the analyses also showed that there is not much room for manoeuvre on this topic. At the same time, he stated a few “indisputable facts”. Today, Slovenia ranks second in Europe in terms of labour taxation, Slovakia takes the first place.
Slovenia is also burdened the most with social contributions in Europe, and according to him, this part requires refreshing. And it is this “targeted refreshment” that the government intends to work on. At the same time, Slovenia ranks 22nd in Europe in terms of property taxation. As he further explained, the proposals for the solution of the area were not coordinated and ripe for public discussion some time ago, so there will be no tax reform as it was presented. That is why the tax reform (according to him) was not at the forefront of the session. He said that the whole of Europe is preparing for the new fiscal year and for the preparation of the Stability Pact. After three years of exemptions, when it was possible to finance the state budget through excessive borrowing, these exemptions are being eliminated according to him. The Stability Pact, which will be presented to the members of the National Assembly at the April session, will precisely define the question – in what way Slovenia will ensure the sustainability of public finances.
“The people of Koroška will sue everyone who blocks the project of the third development axis!”
Golob announced that the document will not mention tax reform as a source for ensuring stability, but all other measures will be listed, while fiscal sustainability will have to be considered. This will cover the possibility of an annual deficit of less than three percent, while at the same time reducing the debt, on average, by one percentage point. Vrtovec reminded that the key is to reduce the tax burden on salaries as much as possible, so that people will have more and consequently spend more, and as a result, more taxes will be collected. He emphasised that Slovenia is at the top of the OECD ranking after salary taxation. However, the economy will breathe a sigh of relief due to the cancellation of the tax reform. Next, Alenka Helbl asked a parliamentary question, who pointed out the issue of delaying timelines during the current government. This especially applies to the construction of the 3rd development axis, which would connect Koroška with Bela Krajina and both regions with the rest of Slovenia, which is the 2nd most important project in the country.
At the same time, she reminded that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Dars will soon present a revised timeline for delaying the construction of the 3rd development axis. She emphasised that the people of Koroška will sue anyone who inhibits the project of the third development axis. “We do not want and will not move back the timetable, but we will remove all obstacles overnight and mark the project with mandatory completion by the end of 2027. And since inhabitants of Koroška are not the sheriff of Ljubljana, to whom, despite violating the laws and the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, all ruling politics are justified and bowed down to, we simply cannot afford what he afforded. Dear Golob, inhabitants of Koroška do not agree to the machines humming at the construction site of the third development axis when the cameras arrive, and because we do not agree to new delays in timelines, and because we do not agree to the fact that due to the repayments of those who put you in power, you are taking money for the development of the rest of Slovenia,” Helbl was harsh. They also do not agree to an interdepartmental working group led by a “failed politician who was guaranteed a job (Andrej Rajh, SAB client).
More to come…