Missed chance for structural reform

The rejection of the pension reform was a mistake because the country is in dire need of spending cuts and structural reform, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "Until a few years ago Slovenia was considered the model pupil of the new EU countries. But the long period of good macro-economic data and the early introduction of the euro couldn't conceal the structural weaknesses for long: the continued economic intervention of the state, direct or indirect, the lack of competition, the overblown bureaucracy, the strong ties between politics and the economic independent of which government was in power. None of the governments since Slovenia gained independence 20 years ago has tackled genuine structural reforms. And all the pats on the back from abroad also lulled the Slovenians into a false sense of security that will make the awakening all the ruder."

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