Researchers from the Institute of Public Finance discussed the implementation and progress of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan with representatives of the International Monetary Fund on 15 May 2023. The main topics discussed at the meeting were reforms of the health and pension systems, the effectiveness of social benefits, and the reform of local self-government. 

A structural reform is necessary for the healthcare sector, given the existing numerous inefficient processes in the healthcare system. The importance of applying other countries' good governance practices in the entire healthcare sector, especially in hospitals, was also highlighted. The new Law on Foreigners and its effects on healthcare and other sectors were also commented on. 

They touched upon the income tax and social insurance contributions and the effectiveness of social benefits, and in this context highlighted the usefulness of the tax-benefit microsimulation model for the EU – Euromod. The pension system, advantages and disadvantages of the second pillar of pension insurance, challenges with early retirement, working conditions, and the new Labour Law were also commented on. 

Finally, the Institute's researchers referred to the reform of local self-government and emphasized that the voluntary actual merger of municipalities and cities is unlikely to be realized and that there must be a stronger political will to implement mandatory actual mergers that would be based on certain development and sustainability indicators.