In a surprising turn, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has formed an open alliance with Jaroslav Haščák, founder of the Penta financial group, despite previously condemning them. This shift marks a significant change in Fico's rhetoric, as he publicly admitted to being wrong about his stance on private capital’s involvement in public healthcare during a press conference. The relationship had been previously strained due to past allegations of corruption linked to both Fico's government and Penta's activities in the healthcare sector. The alliance between Smer, Fico's political party, and Penta is not without its problems. Historical collaborations have been marred by allegations of state corruption and manipulation of public resources. The article highlights various scandals, including the notorious Gorilla case and alleged bribery during health reforms led by former Minister Zajac, which directly benefited Penta's access to healthcare business opportunities. Such controversies have cast a long shadow over the legitimacy of their partnership and raise questions about transparency in governance. Furthermore, issues concerning a controversial expert report aimed at securing hundreds of millions of euros from public health insurance funds point towards a tangled web of corruption and potential collusion between public officials and private entities. This emerging relationship could have far-reaching implications for Slovakia's healthcare system and public trust in governance, as Fico's government appears to increasingly tolerate and benefit from the influence of private financial interests in a sector traditionally governed by public service principles.