Slovenian government rebalances budget, boosting defence spending

The new Slovenian administration is preparing a budget rebalancing by the end of August, shifting priorities toward increased defence expenditure and stricter fiscal discipline. Despite warnings about a large deficit, state spending is set to rise by €0.7 billion, with additional funds narrowly targeted and most ministries required to rationalise their outlays.

Economy minister Anže Logar warned that previous ministers left significant financial gaps, citing a €9 million shortfall in the culture ministry and a larger hole in the portfolio formerly led by Matjaž Han. He said the state budget already records a deficit of about €1.2 billion and projected a €16 million shortfall this year and €66 million for the next year on already approved projects. Logar criticised the poor utilisation of EU funds and announced steps to accelerate their spending, while highlighting a recent agreement to keep radiologists in public hospitals.

Logar noted, “vlada trenutno še pregleduje končne podatke o porabi po posameznih ministrstvih,” underscoring ongoing scrutiny of ministerial spending.