The European Commission has classified Slovakia as the only EU country at high risk of public finance issues in the medium and long term. A graphic in today’s report suggests that had Robert Fico's government managed the economy as initially promised, the budget deficit would be around 2 percent, with the public debt on a downward trend. This raises questions about the government's fiscal responsibility and future investments in healthcare.

Currently, the state is building two new hospitals in Prešov and Martin, which will cost over one billion euros. The calculations indicate that if fiscal consolidation had been realized as pledged, the Slovak government could have constructed two such hospitals each year. The Statistical Office’s Budgetary Responsibility Council has stated that adherence to the original budgetary plans could have resulted in a gradual reduction of the deficit to one percent by 2030, ultimately saving about 1.3 billion euros in interest payments.

The implications of these findings stretch beyond mere numbers; they highlight the challenges of financial governance in Slovakia and the potential neglect of public health infrastructure. As the government faces pressure to justify its spending choices, the ability to secure investments in critical areas such as healthcare will greatly influence its credibility and relationship with the public and stakeholders.