Slovakia's Fico faces budget and policy hurdles as government resumes work

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico returned to official duties following a six-week summer break to address severe fiscal and policy challenges.

Fico rejected statutory debt brake requirements mandating a balanced budget to achieve a required two-billion-euro consolidation, describing a zero-deficit budget proposal as "science fiction." Simultaneously, the cabinet approved a constitutional amendment permitting referendums to trigger early parliamentary elections, though the ruling coalition currently lacks sufficient votes in parliament for passage.

In energy policy, government plans to construct a fully state-owned nuclear power plant face delays due to valuation disputes over Czech utility ČEZ's stake in the project. Meanwhile, opposition politicians demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok after Russian components were discovered in new traffic monitoring cameras, concerns which Fico dismissed.

Sources: Seznam Zprávy, Respect, Denník N, iROZHLAS, Hospodářské noviny