Fico, Slovakia’s Prime Minister shot in assassination attempt

Pro-Russia Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, been shot multiple times in assassination attempt.

Slovakian authorities say his condition is “life-threatening” as he was whisked away to hospital.

According to a CNN report, the shooting took place after a government meeting in the central town of Handlova.

However, the Labor Minister Erik Tomáš disclosed that no one else was injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, the suspected gunman has been detained by the police.

Fico won a third term as Slovakian prime minister last October.

He was noted for supporting Russia and criticising the West respecting Ukraine during his campaign.

About Robert Fico

Robert Fico is a Slovak politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Slovakia since 2023.

Born in northwest Slovakia in 1964, Fico was first elected as an MP in 1992.

He served as Slovakia’s prime minister multiple times and faced criticism for his attempts to muzzle the press.

His election victory stoked fears of a shift in support for Ukraine, but he maintained some distance from Russia.

He previously held the position of Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018.

On May 15, he was injured in a shooting after a government meeting in the town of Handlova.

Reports indicate that he is in a life-threatening condition and has been airlifted to Banska Bystrica Hospital for treatment.

The motivations behind the assassination attempt are still unclear.

Our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family during this difficult time.

Fico, in recent times, made headlines with his support for the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin-led Russia.

A left-wing populist, Fico shifted Slovakia’s foreign policy towards more pro-Russian views during his tenure.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia

He opposed military support for Ukraine and vowed to cut arms supplies to Kyiv altogether.

His party, Smer, Direction-Social Democracy, also softened its stance on Putin, calling for end to Russia’s sanctions.

Robert Fico also capitalized on mixed views about NATO in Slovakia.

While only 51% Slovaks voted to remain in the alliance, up to 60%, aged 25 to 64, want to stop aids for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Fico has grown closer to Viktor Orban, the leader of Hungary.

Orban expressed sympathy towards Putin’s war campaign in Ukraine, but condemned the invasion and opposed the annexation of Crimea.

Robert Fico’s tenure saw a shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy towards Russia, with a focus on negotiation over military action in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

His complex stance reflects the delicate balance between regional interests and international relations.

About Slovakia

Slovakia, officially known as the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe.

It shares borders with Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest.

The capital and largest city is Bratislava, while the second-largest city is Košice.

Slovakia has a rich history, and its mostly mountainous terrain spans about 49,000 square kilometers (19,000 square miles), with a population exceeding 5.4 million.

It is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, and other international organizations.

Slovakia is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Slovakia President is Zuzana Čaputová, while the Prime Minister is Robert Fico.

Zuzana Caputova, the President of Slovakia

Slovakia’s leadership

The current President of Slovakia is Zuzana Čaputová, who took office on 15 June 2019.

She serves as the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister is Robert Fico who was shot on Wednesday in an assassination attempt.

The presidency in Slovakia is largely ceremonial, but the president does exercise certain limited powers with absolute discretion.

The president’s official residence is the Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava.

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