Prime Minister Robert Fico Survives Assassination Attempt: Slovakia Stunned, World Condemns
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico faced severe injuries on Wednesday in an attempted assassination, causing shock in his nation and drawing condemnation worldwide. The assailant, reportedly a 71-year-old man, carried out the attack, though the motive remains unclear.
Slovakia, a member of NATO and the EU, has had little history of political violence. Leaders like Russia’s President Putin and U.S. President Biden, along with Slovakia’s EU allies, expressed dismay and condemnation at the shooting.
Fico, aged 59, sustained life-threatening wounds during a government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia. He was initially taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Banska Bystrica due to the severity of his condition. The incident occurred as Fico was greeting a crowd outside a building, with witnesses hearing multiple gunshots before police subdued the attacker.
The government office confirmed the assassination attempt on Fico, emphasizing the incident’s gravity. Reports identified the shooter as a former mall security guard, a published poet, and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers. His son, quoted by Aktuality. sk, expressed confusion over his father’s actions.
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News outlets reported differing accounts of the shooting, with some indicating Fico was hit in the abdomen by four shots. The incident left residents like Lubica Valkova in disbelief, reflecting on its unprecedented nature in Slovakia.
Fico, a seasoned leader who began his fourth term as prime minister in October, has faced criticism for his stance on the Ukraine conflict and controversial reforms, leading to public protests. Putin described the shooting as a “monstrous” crime in a telegram to Slovakia’s President, expressing hope for Fico’s recovery. Biden condemned the violence and offered U.S. assistance.
Fico’s ally Lubos Blaha attributed the shooting to what he called a hostile environment fueled by liberal media and opposition. Meanwhile, Slovakia’s main opposition party postponed a protest, urging politicians to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
Throughout his career, Fico has navigated between pro-European and nationalist positions, often adapting to public opinion and political dynamics. He has been critical of Western support for Ukraine and resistant to its NATO aspirations. Fico’s tenure has seen significant upheavals, including his resignation in 2018 amid protests sparked by a journalist’s murder, deepening societal divisions.
Slovakia’s President-elect Peter Pellegrini is cutting short a foreign trip to return to the country following the incident, as announced by a spokesperson for his HLAS party.
Prime Minister Robert Fico Survives Assassination Attempt: Slovakia Stunned, World Condemns
