Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico narrowly escaped death after being targeted in an assassination attempt while leaving a government meeting on Wednesday. Reports indicate that Fico, 59, sustained five gunshot wounds, plunging him into critical condition initially, but is now deemed out of life-threatening danger following successful surgery.
Government officials, including Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, have confirmed Fico’s improved condition, noting that he is no longer in a critical state. Taraba disclosed that Fico underwent surgery, with one bullet piercing his stomach and another striking a joint.
The assailant, reportedly a 71-year-old man, unleashed gunfire on Fico as he exited a building to greet well-wishers. Law enforcement swiftly intervened, subduing the gunman, whose motives remain under investigation. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok asserted that the attack bore political motives, linking it to recent electoral events.
The incident has rattled Slovakia, a nation unaccustomed to political violence, prompting widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally. Leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden have expressed shock and solidarity with Slovakia.
Fico, a dominant figure in Slovak politics for two decades, has faced criticism for his policies, particularly his pro-Russian stance amidst the Ukraine conflict. His government’s recent initiatives have drawn polarized reactions, with opposition parties accusing him of consolidating power and curtailing media freedom.
In the wake of the assassination attempt, Slovakia’s political landscape braces for potential repercussions. Parliament has suspended deliberations indefinitely, while the largest opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, has urged restraint to prevent further escalation.
As Fico recuperates, the nation grapples with the aftermath of an unprecedented assault on its political leadership, prompting soul-searching and calls for unity in the face of adversity.
Comments