After today's meeting with the leader of the parliamentary group of unaffiliated MPs, Matej Lahovnik, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, stressed that the official enlargement of the Partnership for Development would not take place. This is not only due to Mr Lahovnik's views, but also due to the reservations of some leaders of the parties participating in the Partnership, and the fact that the project is moving to its next stage.

 

(Photo: Bobo)

 

According to the PM, the parties which joined the Partnership for Development face another difficult task – the labour market reform. Harmonisation in this area has already begun, therefore the signing of the agreement once again and discussing further work would take too much time. The PM and Mr Lahovnik agreed that each project would try to be coordinated separately. "From this point of view, we have reached a compromise," said the PM.

 

They also discussed projects which the government is attempting to coordinate with all parliamentary parties or groups, as they either need a two-third majority to be passed in the National Assembly or they should not be subject to the division between the coalition and the opposition. "In the first place is the legislation regarding provinces, part of which needs a two-third majority to be passed, and will be therefore harmonised with all parliamentary groups, including the group of unaffiliated MPs. We also want to resolve the issue of the so-called 'erased' with a constitutional act," said the PM. According to Mr Janša, the group is a new element in the parliamentary arena, which is why the government will try once more to reach consensus with all parliamentary parties or groups.

 

The issues which need to be harmonised include the preparations for Slovenia's presidency of the EU, and agreements and alliances that will need to be concluded during the presidency. After the Declaration on Orientations Regarding the Activities of the Republic of Slovenia within EU Institutions is adopted, the PM will invite all parliamentary parties or groups to a meeting to discuss a draft agreement about cooperating during the presidency. The meeting will be an opportunity to exchange and coordinate views about projects requiring a two-third majority in the National Assembly, and discuss relations with Croatia. "The government wants to avoid any steps, which could exacerbate the situation," said the PM, adding that for this the greatest possible consensus of all stakeholders was needed.