Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia accused the opposition of orchestrating a politically motivated assassination attempt. Fico needed numerous rounds of surgery after being shot multiple times at close range in Handlova, central Slovakia, on May 15. In his address, Fico alleged that “an activist of the Slovak opposition” was behind the attempt on his life, describing the gunman as “a messenger of evil and political hatred.”
Fico needed numerous rounds of surgery after being shot multiple times at close range in Handlova, central Slovakia, on May 15, the NY Times recollects. After being released from the hospital on May 30, he has been recovering at his Bratislava home. Fico described his continued recuperation and said it would be “a minor miracle” if he was able to return to work in a few weeks. NYT reported that he continued by saying that he was undergoing outpatient care and that the attack had really hurt him. His goal is to gradually return to work by late June or early July, “if everything goes as planned,” according to an English translation provided by Fico and Smer.
In his address, Fico alleged that “an activist of the Slovak opposition” was behind the attempt on his life, describing the gunman as “a messenger of evil and political hatred.” He said he couldn’t believe it was only one crazy person who carried out the attack. The opposition has categorically denied being involved in the shooting. NYT said both the Freedom and Solidarity party and Michal Simecka, the head of Progressive Slovakia, the biggest opposition party, released comments denouncing the attempted assassination and distancing themselves from any connection to the gunman.
Fico, a populist politician who won a close parliamentary election to become prime minister in October, said that he was a target because of his political beliefs, which included his resistance to providing military assistance to Ukraine. His government has been under fire from his opponents for weakening democracy. In his remarks, Fico stated, “It is a cruel observation, but the right to a different opinion has ceased to exist in the E.U.” TThe speech was given right before a ban on public speaking and campaigning before Saturday’s elections for the European Parliament.
