Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in critical condition after being shot following a political event on Wednesday afternoon. The 59-year-old leader was hit in the stomach by four shots outside the House of Culture in Handlova, approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Bratislava. He was meeting with supporters at the time of the attack.
A message on Fico’s Facebook account confirmed that he “has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition.” It also noted that he was being transported by helicopter to Banská Bystrica for an urgent procedure, as traveling to Bratislava would have taken too long. “The next few hours will decide,” the message added.
Videos are circulating online that depict Fico getting rushed into a car after the incident
BREAKING:
Slovak PM Robert Fico taken to his car after being shot several times.
He was later picked up by an ambulance helicopter and flown to a hospital.
His current condition is unknown
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 15, 2024
The suspect in the shooting has been detained, according to reports. The incident has caused widespread shock in Slovakia and across Europe, with many describing it as an attempted assassination. President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, called the attack “an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy,” emphasizing the danger of resorting to violence over political disagreements.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his shock and dismay on social media. The attack comes just three weeks before crucial European Parliament elections, where populist and hard-right parties are expected to gain ground.
Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a parliamentary session and adjourned the session until further notice. Major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a government plan to overhaul public broadcasting, condemning the violence and calling for a reduction in political tensions.
President Zuzana Caputova condemned the attack as “brutal and ruthless,” expressing her shock and wishing Fico strength and a speedy recovery. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the “vile attack,” stating that such acts of violence undermine democracy.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk both expressed their shock and wished Fico a swift recovery, highlighting that violence has no place in society.
The incident has prompted widespread condemnation of political violence from leaders across Europe, even as the motive for the attack remains unclear.