Brussels, 24/05/2013 (Agence Europe). On Friday 24 May, the Slovenian parliament adopted by 78 votes to 8 against (out of 90 MPs) a decision to insert the golden budgetary rule in the country's constitution. This golden rule will come into force in 2015 and stipulates that a country's budget deficit cannot exceed 0.5% of state GDP. Following on from this decision, the Slovenian parliament also approved amendments to the constitution to limit recourse to referendums on budget policies. The European Commission welcomed these votes and said that “this is a strong signal of Slovenia's commitment to sound public finances, which is an essential foundation for sustainable growth and job creation in the country”. (EL/transl.fl)