Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was hospitalized on Wednesday after surviving an assassination attempt that stunned the nation. Fico was shot five times after a government meeting in the central Slovak town of Handlova. The alleged shooter was part of a small crowd waiting to greet the prime minister outside the cultural center where the meeting was held, as reported by local media.
Footage from the scene shows Fico, wounded, being hurried into a vehicle by his staff, which then sped away. Initially taken to a local hospital, Fico was later transferred by helicopter to a major trauma center about 20 miles (30 kilometers) away in Banska Bystrica. No other injuries were reported.
Slovakia’s Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok labeled the shooting as “politically motivated,” with Šutaj Eštok suggesting the attack was planned shortly after the presidential election.
Deputy Prime Minister Tomáš Taraba expressed hope for Fico’s recovery following a successful surgery. “I was very shocked and tried to contact people to figure out how serious his condition was,” Taraba said in an interview with BBC’s Newshour program on Wednesday. “Fortunately, as far as I know the operation went well and I guess in the end he will survive.” He noted that Fico was “heavily injured,” with one bullet passing through his stomach and another hitting his joints.
As Slovakia’s prime minister, Fico holds significant power, unlike the president, whose role is more ceremonial. An official statement on Fico’s Facebook page explained the transfer to Banska Bystrica instead of the capital, Bratislava, was due to the urgent need for intervention. Handlova is approximately a two-hour drive from Bratislava.
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová confirmed the suspect was detained by the police and called for patience as law enforcement investigates. She condemned the attack as “brutal and reckless,” emphasizing that it was also an assault on democracy.
Defense Minister Kaliňák, visibly shaken, stressed the need for self-reflection among those contributing to a divisive political climate. “Hate is not an answer to hate,” he said, calling for an end to political intolerance. Interior Minister Šutaj-Eštok echoed these sentiments, urging calm and responsible media coverage to prevent further violence.
Šutaj-Eštok described the incident as the darkest day in Slovakia’s democratic history, noting that this was the first time someone had resorted to violence to express political dissatisfaction instead of through elections.
The attack has intensified existing political tensions in Slovakia. Since Fico’s return to power last year, the nation has been deeply divided over its direction and international alignment. Supporters view Fico as a leader who genuinely cares about their interests, while critics accuse him of being a populist with pro-Russian inclinations.
Fico’s government has faced weeks of largely peaceful protests against controversial domestic reforms. Among these is the plan to shut down the public broadcaster RTVS, replacing it with a new government-controlled entity.
Social media footage of the attack shows Fico approaching a crowd before a man lunges at him with a gun. Five shots are heard, and Fico collapses. Eyewitness Lubica Valkova, who was present, described the scene as a “nightmare,” likening the sound of gunfire to firecrackers. Valkova, who had been waiting to meet Fico, noted the lack of security checks at the event.
Fico’s return to power last October marked a significant shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy, particularly its stance on Ukraine. He criticized Western support for Ukraine, pledged to end Slovak military aid to Ukraine, and opposed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. His campaign echoed Kremlin talking points, blaming “Ukrainian Nazis and fascists” for provoking Russia’s invasion.
Domestically, Fico’s government has pursued controversial reforms, including efforts to reduce penalties for corruption and the abolition of Slovakia’s special prosecutor’s office, which investigated high-level corruption cases involving Fico’s associates.
Fico, who previously served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018, resigned in 2018 following mass protests over the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée. Kuciak’s reporting on elite corruption implicated individuals linked to Fico.
The assassination attempt drew immediate international condemnation. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a telegram to Slovakia’s president, decried the “monstrous crime” and wished Fico a swift recovery. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted her condemnation of the attack, emphasizing that such violence undermines democracy. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Fico, expressed his shock and wished for Fico’s recovery.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed solidarity with Slovakia, condemning the “appalling” assault on Fico. US President Joe Biden also expressed alarm at the attack, calling it a “horrific act of violence” and sending prayers for Fico’s recovery. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, reflecting the global shock at the incident.
