Page 23 - SE Outlook Regions 2024

Movement party, sparked concerns about the necessity of these alterations, especially in the aftermath of the severe flooding.
In October, Uros Brezan, the former minister of natural resources and space in Slovenia, resigned due to insufficient collaboration among government departments following the flooding. Additionally, ex-public administration minister Sanja Ajanovic Hovnik was dismissed amid criticism of her expenses related to a recent business trip to New York and potential conflicts of interest in a €10mn NGO tendering process. The ministers responsible for interior and health were also replaced.
According to the October Vox Populii opinion survey, public dissatisfaction with Golob's government is on the rise. Only 39.3% of respondents deemed it successful, while 53.1% considered it unsuccessful. However the poll showed that there was an increase in support for the opposition right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) to 21.9% from 20.5% in September, while the support for the ruling Freedom Movement fell to 20.3% from 22.6% in September.
In October, former prime minister Janez Jansa, leading the SDS, called for an immediate snap election amid the turmoil within the ruling coalition. The SDS took a step further by establishing what amounts to a shadow government.
However, the outlook within the opposition party is not so positive either. As the year progressed, suspicions arose within the SDS about one of its MPs and former foreign minister, Anze Logar, allegedly forming a new political party. This revelation further strained the political atmosphere, leading to calls for Logar's expulsion. However, Logar vehemently denied these claims, denouncing them as exaggerated and disproportionate.
In her address to the parliament before the New Year, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar underscored the challenges that lie ahead for Slovenia. Stressing the need to bolster the country's competitiveness and resilience to maintain its reputation, she urged against succumbing to internal disputes and mutual divisions. The president spoke of the crucial role of a reliable and responsible government and parliament in navigating these challenges.
Pirc Musar identified healthcare reform as the paramount challenge. She said that only a well-functioning public health system can prevent silent privatisation and ensure that the system operates in the best interest of users rather than individual interests. Pirc Musar also said that essential prerequisites for any reform include higher added value per employee and the promotion of work activity, calling for a social agreement.
23 SE Outlook 2024 www.intellinews.com