Slovakia’s economy is growing, but only slowly — and pressure is mounting on the government to act. President Peter Pellegrini says cutting spending alone won’t be enough. He’s urging Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (SMER-SD) to show more courage when drafting the 2027 budget, even if it means a short-term increase in the deficit to support growth.
The opposition says the government still hasn’t presented concrete proposals to boost investment, create jobs, and kick-start the economy, which is expected to grow by about one percent this year. The Finance Minister argues Slovakia can’t significantly accelerate growth on its own, pointing to weak performance in major European economies like Germany. He insists any measures must not come at the expense of public finances.
Meanwhile, political debate continues over possible tax cuts and the future of the controversial transaction tax. Coalition and opposition figures remain divided, with some calling for immediate tax reductions and others suggesting alternatives like a bank levy.
Source: STVR
