Update 1411
Reuters reports that the suspect in Fico’s assassination attempt acted alone and had previously taken part in anti-government protests, according to the country’s interior minister.
Matus Sutaj Estok described the suspect as a “lone wolf” who did not belong to any political groups.
Earlier
UPDATE – Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has successfully undergone surgery and has regained consciousness. Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák informed the press outside the hospital about the prime minister’s critical condition, stating, “We are hoping that he is strong enough to make it.” Fico, aged 59, endured a polytrauma and underwent a three and a half-hour surgery, with more detailed health information to follow.
Blame for the violence has been attributed by some government officials to Slovakia’s deeply divided political discourse and atmosphere of intolerance towards differing opinions. The return of the populist prime minister to power after last September’s election has incited strong criticism and protests due to his pro-Russia stance and intention to tighten control over independent media.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok passionately appealed to the public, journalists, and politicians to cease spreading hatred, urging an end to attacks and animosity on social networks and in the media, regardless of the target being the opposition or ruling coalition. Eštok emphasized the need to address the inability to respect the opinions of others that some factions of the public may disagree with, denouncing the recent surge of incomprehensible negativity and asserting their collective responsibility to halt it.
Earlier: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico suffered life-threatening injuries when he was shot and wounded in an attempted assassination on Wednesday, the government office said.
Fico, 59, was rushed to hospital in the central city of Handlova after holding a government meeting there, and was being transported by helicopter to the city of Banska Bystrica for urgent treatment, it said.
A Reuters witness heard several shots fired after the meeting in Handlova northeast of the capital Bratislava. Police detained a man and security officials pushed someone into a car and drove off, the witness said.
“An assassination (attempt) on Prime Minister Robert Fico was carried out today at the government’s off-site meeting in Handlova,” the government office said in a statement.
“At the moment he is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, because it would take too long to Bratislava in view of the necessity of an acute intervention.”
Emergency Services said they had received information about a man being shot in Handlova shortly after 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) and sent an emergency helicopter to a 59-year old patient.
Broadcaster TA3 reported four shots were fired, and that the leftist prime minister had been hit in the abdomen.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, led condemnation of the attack, which also shocked the European Union and NATO member state’s allies in central Europe.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family”, von der Leyen said.
RETURN TO POWER
The Slovak government was meeting in Handlova, 190 km (118 miles) northeast of Bratislava, as part of a tour of the country’s regions after coming to power late last year.
Fico became prime minister for the fourth time last year after shifting political gears to appeal to a changing electorate.
During a three-decade career, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions opposed to European Union and U.S. policies. He has also shown a willingness to change course depending on public opinion or changed political realities.
Following the shooting, Slovakia’s biggest opposition party called off a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday evening.
Slovak President Zuzana Caputova wrote on X: “Utterly shocked by today’s brutal attack on #Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms.”
“I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed shock on X, adding: “News of the cowardly assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico shocks me deeply. Violence must have no place in European politics.”
Austria’s conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer also said he was shocked, adding: “Hate and violence must not be allowed to take hold in our democracies and must be fought with the utmost determination!”
via Reuters
