Robert Fico, who has recently been stabilised after an assassination attempt, is a divisive political leader. Image source: EU2016 SK, via Wikimedia Commons
Robert Fico, Slovakian prime minster, has survived a recent assassination attempt, with officials stating that his condition is “stabilised but … serious”.
Robert Fico, 59, is currently Slovakia’s longest-serving prime minister and was elected for a fourth term in 2023. He heads a coalition government.
Fico was shot after a government meeting in the city of Handlová on 15 May, in what Slovak government officials are calling “politically motivated”.
Fico was believed to have been shot in the stomach and through a joint. He was first treated in a local hospital before being transported to F.D. Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica for treatment.
Officials have announced Fico’s condition had stabilised overnight after five hours of surgery and doctors were attempting to further improve his state.
The Slovak media claims the assassination attempt was carried out by a 71-year-old man who was detained at the scene. The alleged suspect was identified as Juraj Cintula, a former security guard at a shopping mall.
The media states that Fico exited a building to greet a crowd of people before five gunshots were heard. Police wrestled a man to the ground and later charged the suspect with attempted murder.
Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj-Estok said “the perpetrator’s decision was born closely after the presidential election”, referring to a recent election in April won by one of Fico’s allies.
Mr Sutaj-Estok described the assailant as a “lone wolf” without any known political ties or alignments.
The attack has drawn international reproach, with US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and multiple EU officials expressing shock and condemnation.
Slovakia has seen an increase in political debate in recent years, with Fico being seen as a “divisive” political leader. Part of his recent campaign included a promise to end military aid to Ukraine.
He has also expressed anti-immigration, anti-European Union, and anti-journalism views, stating in a 2022 press conference he was “convinced there’s an organised crime group of journalists in Slovakia”.
Milan Nic, a former Slovak government advisor, discussed how Fico was a “polarising figure” and “was driving some of these emotions and radicalisation because it played into his hands.”
“Unfortunately, this is not only happening in Slovakia. The repercussions were there, but it’s vibrated around Europe and beyond”, said Nic.
“This [the assassination attempt] could have happened to anybody.”
Fico currently remains hospitalised until further notice.
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