(1)

Article 126(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Member States are to avoid excessive government deficits.

(2)

The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is based on the objective of sound and sustainable government finances as a means of strengthening the conditions for price stability and for strong, sustainable and inclusive growth underpinned by financial stability, thereby supporting the achievement of the Union’s objectives for sustainable growth and employment.

(3)

The excessive deficit procedure under Article 126 TFEU, as clarified by Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 (1), which is part of the SGP, provides for a decision on the existence of an excessive deficit. Protocol No 12 on the excessive deficit procedure, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the TFEU, sets out further provisions relating to the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure. Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 (2) lays down detailed rules and definitions for the application of those provisions. The Union’s reformed economic governance framework, which came into force on 30 April 2024, includes Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1264 (3), which amended Regulation (EC) No 1467/97. This Decision concerns only the excess of the ratio of the government deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) with respect to the TFEU reference value of 3 % of GDP, in line with existing legal provisions.

(4)

Article 126(5) TFEU provides that, if the Commission considers that an excessive deficit in a Member State exists or may occur, it is to address an opinion to the Member State concerned and inform the Council accordingly. Having taken into account its report of 19 June 2024 adopted pursuant to Article 126(3) TFEU, and having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee adopted pursuant to Article 126(4) TFEU, the Commission concluded that an excessive deficit exists in Slovakia. On 8 July 2024, the Commission therefore addressed such an opinion to Slovakia and informed the Council accordingly.

(5)

Article 126(6) TFEU provides that the Council is to consider any observations which the Member State concerned may wish to make before deciding after an overall assessment whether an excessive deficit exists. In the case of Slovakia, the overall assessment leads to the conclusions set out below.

(6)

According to the data validated by the Commission (Eurostat) on 22 April 2024, the general government deficit in Slovakia reached 4,9 % of GDP in 2023, and general government debt stood at 56,0 % of GDP. The Commission in its report under Article 126(3) TFEU considered that the excess of the deficit over the TFEU reference value of 3 % of GDP in 2023 is not exceptional, as it results neither from an unusual event nor from a severe economic downturn in the sense of the SGP. The excess over the TFEU reference value is also not temporary, based on the Commission’s 2024 spring forecast, which projected the general government deficit to remain above 3 % of GDP in 2024 and 2025. In sum, the deficit in 2023 was above and not close to the TFEU reference value of 3 % of GDP. The excess is neither considered to be exceptional as defined by the TFEU and the SGP, nor is it considered to be temporary. Hence, the deficit criterion as defined by the TFEU and Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 is prima facie not fulfilled.

(7)

According to the Slovak 2024 Stability Programme, the general government deficit is forecast to reach 5,9 % of GDP in 2024. This is confirmed by the Commission’s 2024 spring forecast, which also indicates a deficit of 5,9 % of GDP, above and not close to the TFEU reference value of 3 % of GDP. The increase in the deficit, if compared to 2023, reflects a continuation of existing energy price support measures and new measures increasing expenditure such as a permanent increase in the 13th pension payment, increase in spending on healthcare, the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, an amendment to the Education Act introducing a legal right to admission to kindergarten for children older than three years and improving the rights of children with special education needs, and the introduction of performance-based contracts at public universities.

(8)

In line with the requirements of Article 126(3) TFEU, the Commission also analysed all the relevant factors in its report under that Article. As laid down in Article 2(4), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97, whenever the ratio of the government debt to GDP does not exceed the reference value, relevant factors are to be taken into account in the steps leading to the decision on the existence of an excessive deficit. Overall, the relevant factors examined in the report under Article 126(3) TFEU are aggravating. The consideration of those relevant factors does not alter the conclusion that the deficit criterion in the TFEU is not fulfilled.

(9)

In view of the deadline of 20 September 2024 for the submission of the national medium-term fiscal-structural plans, which deadline can be extended in accordance with Article 36(1), point (a), of Regulation (EU) 2024/1263 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), indicatively until 15 October 2024, that being the date for submission of the draft budgetary plans of euro area Member States, the Council takes note that the next step in the procedure, namely the Commission’s recommendation for a Council recommendation under Article 126(7) TFEU on the correction of the excessive deficit, will coincide with the Commission’s opinions on the draft budgetary plans of euro area Member States under Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 473/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5). This approach allows ensuring consistency between the budgetary requirements under the excessive deficit procedure and the adjustment path set out in the national medium-term fiscal-structural plans. Enabling such consistency while avoiding a surveillance gap under the excessive deficit procedure, requires the timely submission of the national medium-term fiscal-structural plans. This timeline should be considered exceptional and as linked to the transition to the new framework, and therefore as not setting a precedent. The Council also takes note that, failing the timely submission of the national medium-term fiscal-structural plan, the Commission’s recommendation for a Council recommendation under Article 126(7) TFEU will consider the reference trajectory transmitted by the Commission to the Member State determined in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1263,