Slovakia Healthcare Budget Cuts Spark Protest

A protest took place on May 24, 2025, outside Slovakia's Ministry of Health. The Hnutie SLOVENSKO movement organized the demonstration to protest against government budget cuts in healthcare. Igor Matovic, a prominent member of the movement, stated, "They raised their salaries by 100 percent, and now they're saying there's no money for the sickest people who need innovative drugs." The protesters symbolically scattered bottle caps to represent the lives they fear will be lost due to underfunding. Julius Jakab presented a comparison showing a significant reduction in healthcare funding since 2020. Veronika Remišová, also present, expressed concern about the government's decision. The event highlights growing concerns about healthcare access and funding in Slovakia.