The continuation of austerity measures 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 Prešov, which is scheduled to open in 2027.
Romana Grajcarová, Photo: SITA/Úrad vlády SR
