Administrative support EU pension reform in Slovenia

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy voiced support Friday for Slovenia's effort on pension reform, saying that such reform is inevitable.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor, Van Rompuy said that 22 EU members, including Slovenia, have committed to adjusting their pension system to ensure sustainability of the social system and public finances.

Even if the pension reform is voted down temporarily, it will eventually bounce back on the agenda, Van Rompuy said.

The EU chief made the remarks ahead of Slovenia's referendum on pension reform Sunday.

Pahor also reiterated his cabinet's determination to strive for the success of the reform.

The European Commission has for years been prompting Slovenia to reform its pension system and thereby shore up its public finances.

The Slovenian government-sponsored pension reform has won support of many people in the country.

Slovenia needs such reform because it brings "more benefits than downsides, and its advantages far outweigh its imperfections," local economists believe.

However, the outcome of the scheduled referundum is far from certain as a latest survey shows that more than one third of those questioned gave negative answers, while 29 percent were undecided.

Posted in: Administrative support EU pension reform in Slovenia