Is Slovakia heading down the Greek path? — what came out of the Prague discussion

When and where Tuesday 21 April 2026 · 17:30 · Aula C123 · FSV UK · Jinonice, Prague

Speakers Radovan Ďurana — partner at INESS, author of Cena štátu (Cost of the State), internationally recognised by Stockholm Network and Atlas Network. He argues Slovakia has seven years to change direction. Miroslav Kollár — director of KOM. Former head of IVO, former chair of the RTVS Council, eight-year mayor of Hlohovec, later MP. He left politics in 2023.

What was discussed Ďurana showed that Slovakia's problem is not on the revenue side — the tax-and-contribution burden is already at a historic high (~36.7% of GDP). The problem is the trajectory of expenditure, now hitting 48.5% of GDP. Add the highest inflation in the eurozone, stalled growth, and an anti-growth tax structure. One in every six euros the state spends ends up in a pensioner's pocket; 140,000 pensioners receive over €1,000 a month. His punchline: "cancel the summer holiday in Greece — we can't afford it."

Kollár added that at the local government level, the Greek scenario is not on the table — Slovak municipalities are among the least indebted in the EU (~1.7–2% of GDP) and operate under strict debt limits (60% of current income / 25% annual instalments). The fiscal risk sits at the central level, not in towns and regions. Without structural change in the division of competencies, any cuts will remain cosmetic.

Sli.do — what the audience thought

Question 1 (during the event · 21 votes): "Is Slovakia on the Greek path?"

• The risk is real but still manageable: 57% (12)

• Yes — debt is heading out of control: 33% (7)

• I don't know / can't say: 10% (2)

• The problem is more media-driven than fiscal: 0%

Question 2 (after the event · 9 votes): "After this discussion — where should Slovakia's fiscal priority lie?"

• Spending cuts (social, public administration): 44% (4)

• Economic growth (investment, productivity): 33% (3)

• Structural reforms (pensions, healthcare): 22% (2)

• Tax increase: 0%

100% of votes going to "non-tax" answers aligns fully with the position of both speakers: if state revenue is already at a historic high, further tax hikes in an already heavily taxed environment will not delay the Greek scenario — they will accelerate it.

Event page → https://healthy-future.sk/diskusia/ Acknowledgments Thanks to Dr. Zuzana Kotherová (FSV UK) and Barbora Musilová (FSV UK) for the venue and collaboration. Thanks to Pražská kaviareň and INESS for the partnership.

How to get involved Prague coordinators: Ladislav Antoži — ladislav.antozi@future-slovakia.eu — and Daniel Veselič. Registration at https://healthy-future.sk/studenti/