Slovak PM Fico Criticizes Business Leaders Over Tax Evasion, Calls for Government Cooperation

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized business leaders for failing to pay taxes and called for greater cooperation with the government in combating the shadow economy. Fico urged entrepreneurs to work with the government to find solutions rather than engaging in conflicts. The Prime Minister highlighted the scale of Slovakia's grey economy, which he said amounts to 17 billion euros, alongside massive tax evasion. Fico, who leads the ruling social-democratic Smer-SD party, framed the issue as a critical challenge requiring partnership between the public and private sectors to address widespread tax avoidance that undermines state revenues.