As Slovakia gears up for the European elections, candidates are at odds regarding the European Union’s involvement in health matters, although there’s consensus on the significance of bolstering the EU’s strategic autonomy.
Most political parties in Slovakia suspended their campaigns following an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico. However, with Fico’s return from the hospital, campaigning is back in full swing.
Euractiv reached out to political parties in Slovakia to gauge their positions on crucial health issues. Progressive Slovakia (Renew), Christian Democratic Party (EPP), Freedom and Solidarity (ECR), and Slovak National Party (ID) responded to their inquiries, while Smer-SD, the coalition party of PM Fico, did not.
With Slovakia set to increase its MEPs from 14 to 15 seats, the list of candidates includes a diverse array of individuals from various backgrounds.
Strategic Autonomy in Healthcare
Progressive Slovakia emphasizes the need for the EU to play a more significant coordinating role in healthcare, particularly in motivating member states to enhance their healthcare systems and adhere to new standards.
Christian Democratic Party’s MEP Miriam Lexmann echoes this sentiment, stressing the EU’s imperative to reduce dependence on authoritarian regimes like China, which was exposed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, MP Jana Bittó Cigániková of Freedom and Solidarity expresses concern about the current trajectory, suggesting a move away from strategic autonomy.
Slovak National Party’s candidate, Zdenko Čambal, opposes the encroachment of corporate interests in healthcare, highlighting ethical concerns regarding procurement practices during the pandemic.
EU Role, a Point of Contention
Progressive Slovakia advocates for the EU to intensify its coordinating efforts in healthcare, focusing on training and compensating healthcare workers and ensuring quality healthcare as a fundamental human right.
MEP Lexmann believes that while healthcare policies remain within the purview of member states, the EU can facilitate coordination and create an innovation-friendly environment.
MP Bittó Cigániková asserts that healthcare policy decisions should primarily rest with individual states, emphasizing the need for coordination on issues like education requirements for non-medical healthcare personnel.
Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of ensuring basic human rights in healthcare procedures, such as medicated forms of abortion.
Candidate Čambal underscores the need for Slovakia to strike a balance between national interests and European cooperation, cautioning against undermining the EU and the WHO.
As Slovakia prepares to cast its votes exclusively on June 8th, the divergent perspectives among candidates underscore the complex dynamics shaping the future of EU healthcare policies.
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