Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico in life-threatening situation after assassination try | EUROtoday

Issued on: 15/05/2024 – 15:25Modified: 15/05/2024 – 16:39

2 min

Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, mentioned that Fico, 59, was hit within the abdomen after 4 photographs had been fired exterior the House of Culture within the city of Handlova, some 150 kilometres northeast of the capital, the place the chief was assembly with supporters. A suspect has been detained, it mentioned.

Fico was rushed to hospital, the place he was declared to be in “life-threatening” situation, the Slovak authorities workplace mentioned in an emailed assertion.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident throughout a session of Parliament and adjourned it till additional discover, the Slovak TASR information company mentioned.

Footage posted on X confirmed panicked scenes, with folks fleeing the world as police sealed off the scene.

A reporter for the each day newspaper Dennik N each day heard taking pictures after which noticed rescuers carrying the premier to a automotive.

Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” assault on the premier.

“I’m shocked,” Caputova mentioned. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”

Slovakia’s main opposition events, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a deliberate protest in opposition to a controversial authorities plan to overtake public broadcasting that they are saying would give the federal government full management of public radio and tv.

“We completely and strongly condemn violence and in the present day’s taking pictures of Premier Robert Fico,” said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. “At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension.”

A former bodybuilder, Fico, 59, returned to power in Slovakia after elections last year, at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition.

Read moreBodybuilding, fast cars and misogyny: Slovakia’s populist Robert Fico returns to power

A fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin and fast cars, Fico ran an anti-migrant campaign and promised to bring “stability, order and well-being” in Slovakia.

‘Vile attack’

The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.

The EU’s top two chiefs joined several other European leaders in condemning the attack.

“I strongly condemn the vile assault on Prime Minister Robert Fico,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.

“Such acts of violence haven’t any place in our society and undermine democracy, our most treasured widespread good. My ideas are with PM Fico, his household,” she mentioned.

European Council President Charles Michel adopted up on X saying he was “shocked at the news”.

“Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks. My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family,” he mentioned.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned he was “deeply shocked” by the information.

“I am deeply shocked by the news of the cowardly attack on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico,” Scholz mentioned on X and calling for an finish to “violence… in European politics”.

(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters)