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Fico tackles the budget, hospitals, and controversial investments

Prime Minister Robert Fico repeated that neither the government nor local self-governments are obliged to prepare balanced budgets for next year. He declared that he considers this issue resolved, referring to an exemption from the debt brake sanctions. aktuality.sk ↗

According to available information, the exemption is said to apply because Slovakia's expenditures related to fulfilling international treaties exceed three percent of gross domestic product. Fico thereby built on his statements about the state of public finances, in which he also argued that Slovakia's public debt reached 62.5 percent of GDP in the first quarter. SITA ↗

The budget discussion was further supplemented by the question of financing large healthcare construction projects. Fico announced that the new hospital in Martin needs 200 million euros from the state budget next year, and the new hospital in Banská Bystrica needs 100 million euros. In preparing the budget, the government wants to allocate a total of 300 million euros to continue construction, and the prime minister indicated that this would be discussed within the coalition. dennikn.sk ↗

New information also broadened the debate around investments from the United Arab Emirates. The government links them to ports, irrigation, and spas, but the opposition points to public-private projects involving non-functional irrigation and to the question of control over water. Criticism is also directed at the fact that investors are reportedly being selected without tenders. SITA ↗

Fico also responded to the dispute surrounding the closure of the Askoll Slovakia plant in Potvorice. He accused the opposition and the media of spreading lies, even though the original information about the impact of the government's consolidation was provided to the media by the company itself, which subsequently corrected it. Further developments will show how the government translates these disputes into budget preparation and economic policy. zurnal.pravda.sk ↗

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Location: United Arab Emirates
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Politics (General) 📍 potvoriciach 📍 spojené arabské emiráty 🏢 askoll slovakia