Slovak Government Calls Confidence Vote After Debt Breaches Constitutional Rule Limits
Slovakia Faces Confidence Vote Amid Rising Debt and Constitutional Fiscal Rules
Background on the Confidence Motion
June 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia's government will call a confidence motion on Thursday, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday, to face a required vote with the country's debt levels above thresholds set in constitutional fiscal rules.
The Constitutional Court said earlier on Wednesday the government must ask parliament for the confidence vote without delay. Officials had previously said the timing of any vote was up to the government.
Slovakia’s Constitutional Fiscal Rules
Debt Limits and Sanction Mechanisms
Slovakia has had fiscal rules in place since 2012 that set limits on debt levels and trigger sanction and correction mechanisms to limit the rise in debt.
Current Debt Status
Slovakia's debt remains below European Union averages but is still above various fiscal rule limits, and exceeds 60% of gross domestic product, a level requiring a confidence vote.
Prime Minister’s Response and Political Implications
Fico’s Position on the Vote
Fico said he respected the court's decision and that the dispute was not over whether to call a vote. He said in his opinion a confidence vote could have been called later, when lawmakers discuss the next budget.
Parliamentary Majority
The government coalition holds 78 of 150 seats in parliament, giving it a narrow majority.
Economic Context and Recent Developments
Rising Debt and Budget Deficit
Slovakia's debt levels have been rising, and the country has also faced an EU excessive deficit procedure for running a budget gap above a 3% of GDP ceiling.
Latest Fiscal Statistics
The latest statistics office notification to the EU in April showed the 2025 budget deficit fell to 4.45% of GDP from 5.35% in 2024, while debt rose to 61.39% of GDP from 59.70%.
Legal and Political Challenges
Opposition’s Legal Action
The court ruling came after a group of opposition politicians had sought an interpretation of the country's budget responsibility law.
Debate Over Timing of Confidence Vote
They said, according to media reports, that Fico's leftist-nationalist government should have already called a confidence vote last November, when a two-year exemption had expired. The exemption was given after the government approved its policy agenda when taking office.
(Reporting by Jason Hovet in PragueEditing by Bill Berkrot)