The valid budget for 2019 - Slovenia has two-year budget planning - stipulates expenditure of EUR 9.7bn, with revenue slightly outpacing spending for a small surplus of EUR 54m.

Bertoncelj told a session of the Commission for the Oversight of Public Finances that he would "definitely respect the fiscal rule," which effectively puts expenditure caps in place.

The minister would not go into the details of the budget revision since "all teams at ministries have not been composed yet".

In September he indicated spending would have to rise because of the expiry of remaining austerity measures, which will affect the wage bill and social transfers.

While the law requires that the revised budget is adopted by 1 October, there will be a delay this year due to the changeover to the new government.

Bertoncelj said the government was expected to adopt the budget documents next week so that they may be submitted to the EU Commission for review by the 15 October deadline.