Key facts
- Slovakia's parliament supported the government in a confidence vote.
- The vote was necessitated by a breach of the country's legal debt limits.
- A Constitutional Court ruling compelled the government to hold the vote promptly.
- Robert Fico's coalition secured 78 out of 150 votes.
- Slovakia's debt stood at 57.9% of GDP in 2024 and is projected to reach 61.4% in 2025.
Slovakia's parliament has backed Prime Minister Robert Fico's coalition government in a confidence vote, a move triggered by the country exceeding its legal debt limits. The vote, which the government won with 78 out of 150 seats, was expedited by a recent Constitutional Court ruling that ordered the administration to act without delay.
The country's budget responsibility law mandates escalating measures as debt rises, culminating in a confidence vote when debt reaches certain thresholds. While exemptions for new governments have previously allowed administrations to avoid strict measures, the latest exemption expired, and the court's decision forced the issue.
Official data shows Slovakia's debt stood at 57.9% of GDP in 2024 and is projected to climb to 61.4% in 2025. The budget for this year targets a deficit of 4.3% of GDP, with debt expected to reach 65.1% next year. Slovakia's fiscal watchdog noted that the confidence vote should not have been treated as a mere formality, raising questions about the clarity and sufficiency of plans to curb debt growth.