Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times in a “life-threatening condition” in Handlova, 90 miles northeast of Bratislava. Defense Minister Robert Kalina described Fico’s condition as “extraordinarily serious” as medical teams fought to save his life. Slovakia’s President Zuzana Čaputová and President Biden both condemned the attack, with opposition parties canceling a protest against a government plan to overhaul public broadcasting. Slovakia has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, but Fico has stopped military aid and opposes EU sanctions on Russia and Ukraine joining NATO.
Fico and his leftist Smer party won parliamentary elections in September 30, campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. Critics fear that Slovakia under Fico will abandon its pro-Western course and align with Hungary under Viktor Orbán. Orbán expressed shock over the shooting and offered prayers for Fico’s quick recovery, while Ukraine’s President Zelensky condemned the violence and called for efforts to prevent violence from becoming the norm. Images from the shooting scene showed a suspect being detained and Fico rushed into a vehicle, although the motive remains unclear.
Reports from a Slovakian TV station indicated that Fico was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in Handlova. The Government Office of the Slovak Republic did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Fico’s government won a confidence vote in Parliament in November, and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The Associated Press has contributed to the report with additional details.
President Biden has called the attack on Prime Minister Fico a “horrific act of violence” and expressed prayers for his swift recovery. Thousands of people rallied in Slovakia to protest against the government plan to control public broadcasting. Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka condemned the violence and urged politicians to refrain from actions that could further escalate tensions. Slovakia, a country with 5.5 million people bordering Ukraine, has been supporting Kyiv during Russia’s invasion, but Fico has ceased military aid and opposes EU sanctions on Russia and Ukraine joining NATO.
Fico, a third-time premier, and his Smer party won parliamentary elections in September on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform. Some critics worry that Slovakia will align with Hungary under Viktor Orbán, who has a similar anti-Western stance. Ukraine’s President Zelensky condemned the violence against Slovakia’s Prime Minister and called for efforts to prevent such acts from becoming normalized. The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, and Fico’s condition remains serious. The Government Office of the Slovak Republic has not provided any immediate response to the incident. The Associated Press has provided additional information on the case.
Overall, the shooting of Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has sparked condemnation and concern both domestically and internationally. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Fico’s condition is described as serious, and efforts are being made to save his life. The incident has overshadowed the political landscape in Slovakia, leading to the cancellation of protests against a controversial government plan and raising fears of a shift towards an anti-Western stance. Leaders from neighboring countries, including Hungary and Ukraine, have expressed shock and condemnation over the attack, emphasizing the need to prevent violence from becoming normalized in any country or sphere.
