Slovak Ruling Party Considers Reducing Pension Benefits for Higher Earners

Politicians from Slovakia's ruling Smer-SD party have acknowledged they may reduce the thirteenth pension payment for retirees with higher incomes. The thirteenth pension, which costs the state budget up to one billion euros annually, has been a cornerstone of Smer's electoral strategy to attract voters. This marks the first time the social-democratic party has wavered on this key policy pillar amid pressure on public finances. Prime Minister Robert Fico also issued his first public statement on Ukraine after years of avoiding the topic, though details of his position were not specified.