Mit - Index

Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_11_št.15 - Index

WHAtmakEstHenEws
gladly engage in dialogue with the public. GolobiË reiterated the
commitment from the coalition agreement that the sate share of
investment in science, research and development would increase
≈by at least 0.1 to 0.3 percentage points of GDP with regard to the
outgoings in 2008«. The medium-term goal of the government is
to allocate 1% of GDP of the public and 3% of GDP of the joint
(public and private) funds to science and technology in the financial
year 2012. GolobiË highlighted that his priorities would be to
ensure the autonomy of public agencies, set up an independent
agency for quality in higher education, define priorities in research
and promote science. Asked about the autonomy of institutions,
GolobiË said that the new government was looking to change the
existing system, according to which the government as the founder
had a majority in their governing boards.
aGRICUltURe mINISteR mIlaN PoGa»NIk: I would
like to emphasise the importance of integration of the
agricultural sector, including agriculture organisations
and experts
I would also like to highlight stable
production of as cheap and safe food as
possible and preservation of cultivated
land in rural areas. Also among the
priorities of his term are the protection of
agricultural areas against pollution and
excessive use, increasing competitiveness
and profit in agriculture and introduction
of environmental protection principles.
He said he would endavour for timely payment of subsidies to
farmers, stricter supervision over the use of pesticides, promotion
of the role of agriculture in Slovenian society, equality of all links in
the food production chain, and implementation of already adopted
strategic documents and tasks. PogaËnik also touched on questions
related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), self-sustainability,
GMOs, generic promotion of agricultural products, demographic
situation in rural areas, supplementary activities on farms and
the work of public institutions in the field of agriculture. He said
that regarding CAP Slovenia needs to support standpoints that
benefit Slovenian farmers and should at the same time prepare a
development strategy as an answer to challenges such as changing
prices, drawing of EU funds and increase of competitiveness.
Touching on GMOs, he said that their production could not be
banned, however a good system of co-existence of all plants can
be established, which would prevent negative impact on the rest
of the flora and fauna. Pogacnik furthermore believes that farming
should above all be oriented towards production of food and not
plants for biofuels. ≈This is a very extensive area, which provides
for 90,000 families who depend on farming in Slovenia,« PogaËnik
said about his ministry.
tRaNSPoRt mINISteR PatRICk vla»I»: Investment
in infrastructure is crucial for Slovenia's development
in a time of crisis
Commenting on road transport, VlaËiË said that state roads had
been neglected compared to motorways, which is why he would
increase funding for state road projects in the coming term. He
highlighted the need for a national programme for state road
development. VlaËiË said that an ideal motorway tolling system
would be based on the ≈user pays« principle, while ensuring that
traffic flows smoothly and providing the financial coverage for the
national motorway construction plan.
VlaËiË criticised the toll sticker system as not being financially viable.
sinfo 14 12
The price of vignettes may be favourable,
which is good for safety and ensures
smooth traffic flows, but too little money
is collected, he said. ≈The national
motorway company, DARS, will have to
take out loans in 2009 to pay off other
loans,« he added. VlaËiË pointed to two
options: either to stick to current road
sticker system and forfeit EU funding or
amend the system and get less money. He is also sceptical about the
possibility for a speedy introduction of satellite tolling in Slovenia.
This will be possible only after it becomes a trans-European project,
he said.
The candidate for transport minister moreover said that Slovenia's
rail network was in need of modernisation and major investment,
especially with the backing of the EU. He said one of his goals
would be to shift more of the road traffic onto railways. VlaËiË
said that he would strive to ensure that the bulk of cohesion funds
drawn by Slovenia would be used in transport, especially in railway
development. Projects must start being drawn up as soon as
possible.
PUblIC admINIStRatIoN mINISteR IRma
PavlINI» kRebS: I will continue pursuing aims such
as open and transparent public administration, cutting
red tape and boosting e-administration
She explained that the aim of the incoming
government was to create an institutional
environment and public administration
that will reflect in a more effective state,
open government, stronger civil society
and self-limiting and responsive politics.
The cabinet thus intends to include
experts, the general public and NGOs
in the drafting of regulations, and the
legislative process would include impact analysis. PavliniË Krebs
said she was unable to comment on the new public wage system
introduced by the outgoing minister, since there was still no report
on its implementation and it would be irresponsible to base one's
comments on newspaper articles. When she receives the report
she will examine the situation in individual sectors and the system
itself and then continue the dialogue, also with trade unions, to
discuss further steps. She also announced changes to the election
legislation which would include abolition of electoral districts, while
preserving eight units, as this would give the voters more influence
on who gets elected to parliament. PavliniË Krebs also announced
changes to the civil servants law, since in her opinion politics has
too much influence on appointing civil servants under the current
legislation.
JUStICe mINISteR aleš zalaR: I promise to make
the effort for the judges to end their ongoing strike by
the end of the year
Zalar said he was in favour of changes to criminal proceedings and
enhancing the role of the Judicial Council in the appointment of
heads of courts. He also advocates the introduction of obligatory
practical training for judge and prosecutor candidates and
performance-based funding of courts. He favours a reform that
would disburden the Constitutional Court. Referring to ≈certain
cracks« in the new penal code, Zalar said an assessment would
have to be made whether these needed an immediate correction
or whether it would be better to wait for case law to reveal other