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On one hand, we are all enjoying our considerable business achievements and celebrating the forecasts of future economic growth which just happen to be among the most promising in the EU. Following several years of economic crisis, optimism finally has a firm basis as Slovenian exporters thrive.

On the other hand, we are facing growing demands for an increase of wages in the public sector, though these very wages already exceed 1 billion euros. The economy - the main contributor to the public sector wage budget - will surely not withstand these demands without severe consequences.

There is a significant threat that the process of the economic growth will suffer a setback on account of the said demands of the public sector, even though the blow that the latter took during the crisis was relatively light. After all, the number of public sector workers is on the rise and the majority of austerity measures have already been curtailed.

Instead of implementing at least one structural pension or healthcare reform and trying to find a pragmatic solution for ensuring future growth, politics are focusing on intensive preparations for the Parliamentary Elections that are to be held in June. There, the existing and newly established political parties will try to make the most of the currently favorable economic climate, gain as much advantage as possible, and secure a comfortable rule in the forthcoming years.

The Slovenian economy currently lacks workforce that may have to be enlisted from abroad. Unfortunately, the state has been unsuccessful in coming up with a formal solution for the implementation of such a process.

We can only hope that in the months to come, the Slovenian Government will be committed and pragmatic enough to follow the economic trends and withhold the appetite of the public sector that is threatening the now-favorable economic climate.