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The trade unions moreover threatened today to step up pressure if the government fails "to make the right decision" about the sale of 53% stake in Mercator sold by a consortium of cash-strapped owners.

The trade unions, including the ZSSS confederation, Retail Trade Union, Agriculture and Food Industry Trade Union, Farmers' Trade Union and the Farmers' Association, believe selling Mercator to the "financially weaker" and "strategically inappropriate" buyer would be a grave mistake.

Unless the government stops the sale, the trade unions would turn to the National Bureau of Investigation or their members would leave the banks that have joined the consortium of buyers, Ladi Rožič of the ZSSS said.

The economy minister, who received the letter alongside Agriculture and Environment Minister Dejan Židan, expects the government will discuss Mercator sale and decide how to proceed - either actively or inactively - in a fortnight.