The EU’s challenges extend beyond economic metrics and stem from a lack of clear vision in Brussels, according to the Slovak prime minister
The European Union is facing its most severe crisis on record, with economic problems worsened by a lack of leadership and long-term strategic vision in Brussels, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has warned.
Fico made these remarks on Tuesday during an address at a conference focused on affordable rental housing in Slovakia’s capital Bratislava, noting that the hardships facing ordinary Europeans are part of a broader systemic malaise affecting the entire bloc.
“The European Union has never been in such a crisis as it is now,” Fico said, adding that the situation is “not only about economic indicators, but also about leadership and vision.”
Without a coherent competitiveness strategy, the EU could “become a cultural open air museum,” and risk further decline on the global stage, he cautioned. Some global regions, such as China, are now 15 to 20 years ahead of the EU in key sectors, he added.
Fico has repeatedly criticized Brussels over its policies, particularly on energy and Russia sanctions, saying the restrictions are “only hurting” the bloc. Commenting on the European Commission’s 20th sanctions package earlier this month, he said the EU should prioritize addressing its internal problems over imposing new restrictions on Moscow.
He has also sharply criticized the EU’s plan to completely phase out Russian gas imports by November 2027, describing the scheme as “suicide” for dependent economies, and announced that Bratislava would sue EU institutions.
The sharp decline in cheaper Russian pipeline gas imports following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 and ensuing Western sanctions has driven wholesale prices and living costs higher across the EU, while undermining the bloc’s industrial competitiveness.
Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist in 2024, has described Kiev as a “black hole” of corruption that has swallowed billions of euros in EU funds. Last month, he called for the removal of the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, known for her hardline anti-Russian stance.