The heads of Positive Slovenia (PS), the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), Social Democrats (SD) and the Citizens' List (DL) labelled a meeting they held on Thursday regarding future negotiations on the forming of a new government as constructive. PM-designate Alenka Bratušek said everyone was aware that concessions would be necessary.
Saying that the meeting was convened in a friendly atmosphere, Bratušek was confident that compromises which will be acceptable to all will be found.
"All who were present were aware that we will have to make a step back...and propose compromises. I believe we are capable of finding them," Bratušek said.
The officials also agreed not to give any statements on the contents of the talks.
SD head Igor Lukšič said he was happy Bratušek got high support at the National Assembly and that Slovenia had seen the twist it had needed.
He said the formalities on the way the talks would be conducted had been agreed today.
According to him, the SD's decision to enter the new potential coalition is yet to be endorsed at a party conference, which is to be held within ten days, while the presidency will decide on the coalition agreement.
As regards the differences in party programmes with the DL, Lukšič said this was "not a problem, because people were unhappy with the solutions offered by the previous government".
"A radical turn in the other direction is needed," he pointed out, saying that the process of salvaging banks needed to be started and that long-term investors needed to be attracted to the country.
Asked whether he would again serve as education minister, Lukšič said this had not been on the agenda yet.
For now the debate is revolving on whether any new ministries should be introduced or not, he said.
DL president Gregor Virant too said the atmosphere at the meeting had been positive and very constructive. "If there is enough common sense and readiness for concessions on all sides, if we all have the country and its well-being in mind, then an agreement is possible and good compromise solutions can be found," Virant said. He said the projects must first be agreed on and only then the candidates for government posts found.
According to him, the DL's negotiating team includes former Justice and Public Administration Minister Senko Pličanič, head of DL's deputy group Rihard Braniselj and entrepreneur Alojz Selišnik, a member of the DL's council. Virant said he had agreed with former Finance Minister Janez Šušteršič that he or somebody representing him would take part in the talks on public finances.
The DL was the first party to start negotiating with Bratušek, holding a meeting this afternoon. The partners agreed they would not discuss the talks in public and gave no statements coming out of the talks. Immediately afterwards, the DL deputy group held a meeting.
DeSUS head Karl Erjavec said DeSUS would start negotiations on Monday, because the party will elect new leadership on Friday. It will also appoint its negotiation team then.
Based on today's meeting, Erjavec believes DeSUS will have no particular problems with its demands in the future talks on the coalition agreement.
He expects the document to be ready by the end of next week along with the candidates for ministers.
This would pave the way for the government to be confirmed in parliament.
Source: The Slovenia Times
