By: C. R.
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia announced that, at its correspondence session today, it adopted its opinion on the Decree Calling a Legislative Referendum on the Act on Intervention Measures for the Development of Slovenia.
The government has no objections to the proposed decree and respects the right of voters to decide on the law directly through a referendum. At the same time, the government supports the implementation of the law, as it contains measures that it believes will contribute positively to the country’s long-term development.
The National Assembly will consider a proposed decree calling a legislative referendum on the Development Act following a request submitted by at least 40,000 voters. The decree will define the referendum question, the date on which the referendum is formally called, the start of the procedural deadlines required for its implementation, and the voting date.
The government has no objections to the proposed decree. At the same time, it believes that the law should be assessed based on its objectives and its effects on citizens, the economy, and the country’s long-term development. The law does not introduce any new taxes or contributions, nor does it reduce any pensions. Instead, it includes measures aimed at lowering tax and social contribution burdens, reducing taxation on basic food products and certain energy sources, improving the situation of pensioners, families, young people, the self-employed, and farmers, increasing access to healthcare services, and encouraging work, entrepreneurship, and investment.
The government argues that the law addresses key challenges facing both citizens and the economy, including high living costs, a heavy tax burden on labour, long healthcare waiting times, low labour market participation among older workers, and declining competitiveness.
The fundamental objective of the law is to increase households’ disposable income and economic productivity, improve conditions for work and investment, and strengthen Slovenia’s international competitiveness. Measures such as labour tax relief, lower taxation of basic food products and selected energy sources, incentives for longer workforce participation by older employees, the introduction of a development cap, and reduced administrative obligations for entrepreneurs and providers of accommodation services will have a positive impact on living standards, employment, investment, and the creation of higher added value.
The government therefore supports the implementation of the law and emphasises that it should be evaluated comprehensively, taking into account all of its direct and indirect effects.