The Slovak government has approved the draft state budget for 2027, which Prime Minister Robert Fico calls “a budget designed to ensure the country’s survival in difficult times.” According to the prime minister, the document does not call for any tax or fee increases, but guarantees wage growth in the public sector and financial support to keep utility prices stable for the population.
Robert Fico made this statement in his Saturday video address, expressing confidence that parliament will support the proposed document.
The Government’s Key Promises for 2027
According to the prime minister, the new budget is focused on protecting citizens’ social standards and supporting key economic sectors:
Energy: The budget allocates funds to ensure that prices for gas, electricity, and heat for households remain at current levels;
Social sector: salaries in the public sector will increase, and there are no plans to raise the tax or tax-and-social burden on citizens or businesses;
Priority sectors: The ministries of health and education will receive higher budget allocations;
Strategic projects: Stable funding is guaranteed for the construction of new hospitals, a new nuclear power unit, and the development of transportation infrastructure;
Environment: 100 million euros will be allocated to measures to combat drought.
Slovakia’s Economic Indicators and Debt
Robert Fico emphasized that in 2027, Slovakia expects a higher rate of economic growth than the eurozone average, as well as a “record-low” unemployment rate.
He also addressed the issue of public debt, noting that although it exceeds 60% of GDP, this figure is 25 percentage points lower than the European average. For comparison, the prime minister cited France, with debt exceeding 120%, as well as Germany, Austria, and Italy, where debt levels are also higher.
“Our decisions and the draft budget are not improvisations. They are a response to internal and external crises, designed to protect Slovakia and its people. We cannot rely on decisions at the EU level, because they simply aren’t coming,” the prime minister stated.
He also called on lawmakers from the ruling coalition to support the budget without hesitation, while dismissing the opposition’s criticism as “the usual outcry.”
The V4 Summit and Preparations for the Meeting in Brussels
In addition to budget issues, the head of government reported on preparations for the meeting of the prime ministers of the Visegrad Four (V4) countries, which will take place on Wednesday, October 14, under Slovakia’s chairmanship.
According to Fico, the regional partners have managed to agree on a common position, which they will advocate at the European Council summit in Brussels on October 15–16. The main topics for defending their common interests will be keeping energy and fuel prices in check, as well as shaping the new EU multiannual budget for 2028–2034.
