Prime Minister: Coalition Talks on Consolidation to Continue on Monday

Bratislava, 28 August (TASR) – The coalition council has continued talks on consolidating public finances via streamlining state operations and reducing government consumption, with relevant ministries having received specific instructions, and discussions slated to resume on Monday (1 September), Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced on social media following Thursday's session of the coalition council. Speaking after Wednesday's (27 August) government session in Senica (Trnava region), Fico said that the coalition is now in the final phase of discussions on next year's fiscal consolidation plan. Most measures have already been agreed upon, with current talks focusing on the extent of the state's contribution to the effort. The prime minister also rejected claims that negotiations have stalled over increased defense spending, a concern previously hinted at by Interior Minister and Voice-SD leader Matus Sutaj Estok. The coalition is working to finalise the last elements of the 2026 consolidation package. According to Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD), the measures are divided into spending cuts, revenue increases and savings on state-side expenditures. mf/df