Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was shot several times in the small town of Handlova on Wednesday. Miriam Lapnikova, director of F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital in Banská Bystrica, where Mr. Fico was admitted, told a news conference that his condition was “really, very serious.”
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Thomas Taraba told the BBC that Mr Fico’s surgery had gone “successfully” and that “in the end it looks like he will survive”. Interior Minister Matus Stagi Estka described this as a politically motivated attack.
Mr. Fico has been controversial both domestically and in the EU over his comments calling for an end to military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. But the shooting was condemned by all sides and described as an attack on democracy.
Fico was shot in the abdomen in downtown Handlova. Police cordoned off the scene and the suspect was arrested, local media reported.
Here’s how the world reacted:
US President Joe Biden condemned the shooting as a “horrific act of violence” and said he and First Lady Jill Biden “want a speedy recovery and hope for our Thoughts and prayers,” he added. “” is with my family and the Slovak people.
Dr Russell McGregor also posted a tweet on X:
Russia President Vladmir Putin said “This horrific crime cannot be justified. I know Robert Fico to be a brave and strong-willed man. I sincerely hope that these qualities will help him overcome this difficult situation.” The Russian leader wished Fico a “speedy and full recovery.”
What does Police have to say?
Police have not yet identified a suspect. Unconfirmed local media reports said he was a 71-year-old writer and political activist.
A video widely circulated in Slovak media purports to show the suspect.
The shooting occurred on the day parliament began debating the government’s proposal to abolish Slovakia’s public broadcaster RTVS.
In recent weeks, thousands of Slovaks have been protesting against planned reforms to public broadcasting. However, a counter-demonstration scheduled for Wednesday was canceled when news of the shooting broke.
Treatment and Situation of PM
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Roberto Fico remains in serious but stable condition and is able to speak a little, the country’s elected president announced on Thursday, a day after the assassination attempt that shocked Europe.
The shooting was the first major assassination attempt on a European politician in more than 20 years and was internationally condemned.
Political analysts and lawmakers say this underscores the increasingly heated and polarized political situation in Slovakia and across Europe.
Media and Slovakian Government
Since returning as prime minister last October, Fico has made rapid policy changes. Opposition critics talk of a power takeover.
Despite calls for his government to begin dialogue with Russia, reduce aid to Ukraine, seek to weaken penalties for corruption, dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office and protect media freedom. , is promoting the transformation of public broadcasting service RTVS.
Fico has long been critical of Slovakia’s mainstream media and refuses to talk to some of them. Members of the party have criticized the actions of the media and opposition parties in recent months.
