Slovak Prime Minister Recovers After Assassination Attempt Surgery
After surviving five gunshot wounds and enduring a lengthy surgical procedure, Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, remains stable yet in critical condition. The attempted assassination has sent shockwaves through the heart of Europe, drawing widespread international condemnation.
Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, is currently in stable but serious condition. He was shot five times from close range and had to undergo surgery, according to his deputy on Thursday. This assassination attempt has shocked the central European country and has led to worldwide condemnation.
The 59-year-old leader, known for his populist views, returned to power last year. His controversial reforms have caused protests in recent weeks. The attack took place on Wednesday after a government meeting in the town of Handlova.
The prime minister was greeting a small group of people when a suspected gunman suddenly shot him five times from behind a security barrier. Staff quickly rushed to help the injured prime minister into a vehicle, which sped away from the scene.
After the attack, Fico was taken to a local hospital and later airlifted to a major trauma center in Banská Bystrica. He underwent a surgery that lasted over five hours, as confirmed by hospital officials.
Hospital director Miriam Lapuníková reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Fico's condition was stable but still very serious. He will continue to be monitored in the intensive care unit, with two surgical teams working on him.
In the morning of Thursday, Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliňák mentioned that Fico's condition had stabilized overnight, but more measures were being taken to improve his health. The situation remains critical.
Kaliňák and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok held a press conference outside the hospital on Wednesday night, expressing concern for the leader's life.
The two ministers were visibly upset and had difficulty finding the right words to convey their shock over the attack. As the news conference continued, both men became more assertive, attributing the attack to the "hatred" promoted by certain individuals and the media.
The alleged shooter is said to be a 71-year-old man from southern Slovakia, according to various local media reports.
Although there has been no official confirmation of the shooter's identity, his face was clearly seen in video footage of the attack and his arrest.
The shooter mentioned in Slovakian media was identified as a writer and poet. The Slovak Writers’ Association confirmed that the individual named in local reports was a member of their group.
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 18, 2024.
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Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 18, 2024.
The suspected gunman in the attack was detained by the police. Fortunately, nobody else was injured. President Zuzana Čaputová mentioned that authorities will provide more information as soon as possible.
Both the defense and interior ministers believe that the shooting was "politically motivated." Šutaj Eštok mentioned that "the suspect decided to do it shortly after the presidential election."
Fico holds the most power in Slovakia as the prime minister. In contrast, the president's role is more symbolic and has less authority, while the prime minister is responsible for making decisions for the government.
Slovaks have been deeply divided over the country's direction and position in the world since Fico's return to power last year. Supporters view Fico as a caring leader who has their interests at heart, while critics believe he is a populist with pro-Russian leanings that could pose significant risks for the country.
Slovakia's defense and interior ministers pointed fingers at the increasing hate speech and division in the country for creating a political atmosphere that ultimately led to the assassination attempt.
As prime minister, Fico drastically changed Slovakia's foreign policy stance by withdrawing military support for Ukraine and opposing Ukraine's NATO aspirations, a significant shift from the country's previous strong support for Kyiv.
His domestic policies have caused division, particularly in his efforts to reform the criminal justice system. These include reducing penalties for corruption and disbanding the special prosecutor's office that handled major corruption cases.
Additionally, the government is working to close down the public service broadcaster and establish a new national broadcaster that would be more closely controlled by the state.
These policies have resulted in weeks of mostly peaceful protests, with additional demonstrations happening in February and March, as reported by Reuters.
Fico has a history of serving as Slovakia's prime minister for a total of more than a decade. He held this position from 2006 to 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
