Progresívne Slovensko demands action on Slovak brain drain

The opposition movement Progresívne Slovensko (PS) has criticized the Slovak government for failing to address the country's brain drain. Members of the party, including MPs Gréta Gregorová, Tina Gažovičová, and Beáta Jurík, proposed that the government should monitor the outflow of citizens, implement solutions to encourage their return, and submit an annual report to Parliament titled ‘Report on the State of People Leaving Slovakia and Their Return’.

Opposition members noted that the government lacks the necessary tools to quantify the migration of citizens and has not presented measures to attract them back. Gréta Gregorová highlighted that in 2024, every fifth high school graduate pursuing university studies left to study abroad, with even higher rates among top students. Beáta Jurík emphasized that this loss includes essential professionals such as doctors, scientists, teachers, and engineers, which is critical for national prosperity.

Furthermore, the opposition criticized the government's focus on other issues, such as the potential abolition of postal voting from abroad, arguing it sends a message that the government does not count on citizens living overseas. Tina Gažovičová suggested that instead of simple scholarships for students staying in Slovakia, the government should implement active programs to maintain contact with students abroad, such as internships and networking opportunities.