News Analysis: New Slovak gov't to face challenges in health care, education sectors

The new Slovak government has brought lots of expectations and will face challenges mainly in the health care and education sectors, representatives of various sectors said recently.

Robert Fico was appointed as prime minister of the country for the third time. In the contrast with his governments in 2006 and 2012, the politician will manage a broad coalition consisting of four political parties.

Representatives of medical associations emphasised that it's essential to halt a qualitative drop in Slovakia's health care system and overhaul relations and communications in the sector completely.

"The health care system doesn't have a vision in the long term," stressed Marian Kollar, president of Slovak Medical Chamber, calling for expert dialogues and a guarantee of continuous development.

According to the coalition agreement, priorities in the health care system should include stricter supervision, the improvement in health care services, transparent financial management, fully operational DRG (Diagnoses Related Groups) and eHealth systems.

These points are crucial for medical associations.

Additionally, new Health minister Tomas Drucker is a crisis manager from the Slovak Post Office, which is perceived as an advantage.

"We'll cooperate even if the head of the ministry isn't an expert on health care,"said Kollar.

The new government will also put more attention on education as a response to the protests and strike of teachers in January and February.

A significant growth in public resources and fundamental changes to the system were expected in the sector.

The teachers "will very carefully observe the first steps of the new government," said Vladimir Crmoman, one of the leaders of Initiative of Slovak Teachers.

Crmoman added that the new education minister is a very experienced expert on education and has worked in the Education Ministry for more than 25 years. The official's detailed knowledge about the needs of the education sector could be an advantage for the future.

In addition, the new government raised huge expectations in the economic fields. Slovak companies expect to see an improvement in the whole business environment.

The program priorities of the new government could serve as a proper answer, such as income tax for companies will be cut to 21 percent and tax licences will be scrapped as of January 1, 2018.

The coalition quartet also made a commitment to see a balanced budget by 2020, reduce administrative burden for businesses and revise tax and accounting-related legislation, with an eye towards boosting the supports for investment.

Representatives of economic associations welcomed these priorities of the new government.

"Also in the context of the upcoming Slovak Presidency of the Council of EU, the Slovak Republic needs a stable government with a clearly defined program for the next four years," pointed out Peter Mihok, chairman of Slovak Trade and Industry Chamber. Endit