Fico cabinet survives confidence vote

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's left-right coalition government won a confidence vote in parliament on June 18, triggered by budgetary responsibility rules after public debt surpassed the 59.7% of GDP legislative threshold. The motion passed with a narrow majority of 78 votes in the 150-seat parliament, a result that was widely expected. The vote signals continued backing from Fico's fragmented ruling coalition for the final year of his mandate. The victory provides temporary political stability as Slovakia grapples with fiscal challenges.