
Slovak PM Robert Fico Stable After Shooting Incident, Says Deputy PM
May 16, 2024 World
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is reportedly out of immediate danger after being shot multiple times, according to Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba. Following surgery, Mr. Fico's condition has stabilized, with Taraba expressing confidence in his recovery.
Fico, 59, was initially described as "fighting for his life" after sustaining severe injuries during the attack in Handlova. A suspect has been apprehended at the scene, with Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estoka labeling the incident a politically motivated assassination attempt.
Slovak PM shooting viewed as an attack on democracy
Fico is a contentious figure in Slovakia and the EU, known for his opposition to military aid for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. However, the shooting has drawn widespread condemnation, with many viewing it as an attack on democracy.
The assailant, who fired five close-range shots, injured Fico in the stomach and arm. The prime minister was quickly transported to the hospital and underwent extensive surgery. While there has been no official update on his condition, Deputy Prime Minister Taraba assured BBC's Newshour that Fico is no longer in a life-threatening situation.
A 71-year-old writer and political activist
Preliminary reports suggest the suspect is a 71-year-old writer and political activist, though his identity remains unconfirmed. A video circulating in Slovak media features a man expressing dissent with government policies, but it is unclear if this individual is the shooter.
The incident coincided with parliamentary discussions on abolishing Slovakia's public broadcaster RTVS, a proposal that has sparked significant public protest. In response to the shooting, opposition-led demonstrations were canceled.
False narratives
Taraba attributed the attack to "false narratives" propagated by opposition parties, which he believes incited public hostility. Similarly, Interior Minister Estok criticized the media for contributing to a climate of hatred that precipitated the shooting.
Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova remarked on the gravity of the event, underscoring the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric in society.
Fico's recent tenure as prime minister, following his election last September, has been marked by controversy, both domestically and within the EU. His administration has halted military aid to Ukraine and moved to dismantle the public broadcaster, RTVS.