Fico: Continued Consolidation in Coming Years Will Take Different Form

Bratislava, 19 October (TASR) - The continuation of consolidation in the coming years will take a different form than in 2024 and 2025, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated in a video posted on a social network on Sunday, noting that the vote on the state budget for next year is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (21 October). "Maintaining the current standard of the welfare state will require us to strengthen economic growth in 2026 and 2027 through more effective investment and tax policies, while at the same time making further savings at the expense of the state," stated the premier. According to Fico, the deficit should fall from 5 percent to 4.1 percent of GDP next year. Despite this, he said, spending on education and health care should be increased, the 13th pension maintained and high energy prices compensated for. The prime minister added that funds from the defence budget are also to be used for dual-purpose projects, such as the construction of a 1,000-bed hospital in Presov, which is scheduled to open in 2027. The premier also criticised the Party of European Socialists (PES), which, in his words, had completely abandoned traditional left-wing values and added that the main reason for the expulsion of Smer-SD was the amendment to the Slovak Constitution. He was also shocked that he had been accused of taking part in the celebrations of victories over fascism in Moscow and Beijing. The reason for his expulsion, according to him, was also his different opinion on the war in Ukraine. "As far as our participation in the European Parliament is concerned, we also have offers from other factions for inclusion, but we have to think about it carefully so that our priorities related to the policy of Slovak social democracy do not clash with the political programmes of these factions," added Fico. am