The state may seek to take control of the property of Slovakia's two private health insurers, Dôvera and Union, following Prime Minister Robert Fico's suggestion that the state intends to discuss their purchase with their current owners. If they do not make a deal the state will consider the possibility of dispossessing the owners, he said during a political talk show on Slovak Television (STV).
At the moment, Dôvera, with 1.4 million clients, is owned by the Penta financial group and a Slovak businessman via a Cypriot company, Prefto Holding; while Union, with 370,000 clients, belongs to the Dutch insurance group Eureko. If Fico’s plans become a reality, Slovakia would have only one health insurer, which would be controlled by the state, the Sme daily wrote.
“We do not know the details and we will not comment on political statements,” Penta spokesperson Martin Danko told Sme, adding that if Fico launches negotiations, Penta will not refuse to attend them.
Union is yet to comment on the issue.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
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