Despite hesitations over financial costs and staff requirements for such a major project, deputy groups were unanimous in their support for the proposal for Slovenia to be part of the troika making up the EU presidency between 2007 and mid 2008. Moreover, all 71 MPs present at the session voted for the proposal.
In a debate preceding the vote (71:0), the promotion and the political weight Slovenia would gain through the presidency were highlighted as the main arguments that prevailed over the high costs of this project.
It was the biggest parliamentary party, the Slovenian Democrats (SDS), which stressed that the arguments in favour of the decision for presidency prevailed over those against.
The Liberal Democrats (LDS), too, said they would back the proposal. According to Darja Lavtizar Bebler, the invitation was a great acknowledgment for Slovenia and an opportunity that must be taken.
Miran Potrc, speaking on behalf of the United List of Slovenian Democrats (ZLSD), said the financial cost demanded from Slovenia was a long-term investment into the prestige of the country. He said the presidency would increase the country's political weight.
Also supporting the proposal was New Slovenia (NSi), whose president Andrej Bajuk said that preparations for the presidency must be launched immediately.
Bogdan Barovic of the self-proclaimed "eurorealist" National Party (SNS) urged the parliament to support the proposal with consensus, "without a vote against", which in fact happened soon after.
The Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), too, is confident that Slovenia will be up to the task, Franc Znidarsic said.
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