Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia was the target of a politically motivated assassination attempt, being shot five times in the most serious attack on a European leader in decades. The shooting took place in Banikov Square in the town of Handlova, where Mr. Fico had been holding a government meeting. The attacker, identified as a 71-year-old poet, approached Mr. Fico and shot him from close range before fleeing the scene. The prime minister was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent five hours of emergency surgery for multiple gunshot wounds.
After the surgery, Mr. Fico’s condition stabilized, but he remained in serious condition in an intensive care unit. The hospital director stated that doctors were carrying out additional procedures to improve his condition. The gunman, who was arrested following the attack, was said to have acted out of political motivations, as confirmed by initial evidence. Politicians and world leaders condemned the act, with Slovakia’s president calling it an “attack on democracy” and Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, expressing shock and denouncing the violence.
Mr. Fico, a veteran politician who has served as prime minister for longer than any other Slovak leader, has been known for his populist and right-wing views. Throughout his political career, he has presented himself as a champion of the common man and an opponent of liberal elites. Mr. Fico has been critical of immigration from outside Europe and has taken pro-Russian stances, leading to support from leaders like Viktor Orban of Hungary. Despite facing challenges and protests over government corruption and media bias in the past, Mr. Fico was re-elected last year on a platform of social conservatism, nationalism, and welfare programs.
The attempted assassination of Mr. Fico has heightened political tensions in Slovakia, with his supporters accusing opponents and the media of fueling the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the growing polarization in European politics and the potential for violence to escalate further. World leaders, including President Biden of the United States and President Zelensky of Ukraine, have condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to protect democracy and political leaders from such acts of violence. As Mr. Fico continues to receive medical treatment, the investigation into the shooting and the motives behind it are ongoing.
