Slovakia stagnates

Robert Fico first became PM 20 years ago. Living standards initially grew fast thanks to Mikuláš Dzurinda cabinet's reforms, but Slovakia's catch-up pace with Western Europe has been the region's slowest over the past decade. National and household debt rose the most in the region over those 20 years, despite a massive hike in tax burden. The government spent the money on higher social benefits, not competitiveness investments. Neighboring countries now pay higher wages, and Slovakia has the region's highest unemployment. Its health care and education systems also lag behind its neighbors..

(dennikN.sk)