Slovakian Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is in a stable condition following an assassination attempt on him.
Multiple shots were fired at Fico on Wednesday, May 16, 2024, as he met a small group of supporters after a government meeting in the town of Handlová, about 90 miles (150km) north-east of the capital, Bratislava.
Local media identified the alleged shooter as Juraj Cintula, 71, from Levice in south-central Slovakia.
Defence Minister, Robert Kaliňák stated that Fico was in a stable condition but that it was too early to say the outlook was positive.
“He’s still not out of the woods yet,” he said.
Kaliňák told reporters outside the hospital that during the night, doctors managed to stabilise the Prime Minister’s condition.
Nonetheless, he stated that Fico’s condition continues to be very serious due to the complicated nature of the wounds, “but we all want to believe firmly that we will succeed in managing the situation.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot say yet that we are winning or that the prognosis is positive because the extent of the injuries caused by four gunshot wounds is so extensive that the body’s response will still be very difficult.”
Robert Kaliňák
Early on Thursday, Miriam Lapunikova, the Director of the hospital, disclosed that the Prime Minister had undergone five hours of surgery with two teams to treat multiple gunshot wounds.
Slovakian media reported that Fico was placed in an artificial coma after the operation.
“At this point his condition is stabilised but is truly very serious, he will be in the intensive care unit,” Lapunikova said.
Interior Minister of Slovakia, Matúš Šutaj Eštok described the suspect in the shooting as a man who had acted alone and who had participated in anti-government protests.
“This is a lone wolf who had radicalised himself in the latest period after the presidential election,” Matúš Šutaj Eštok told reporters on Thursday.
“Slovak police are working with a single version of the attack and the suspect is charged with attempted murder with premeditation,” Sutaj Estok added.
He described the attack as politically motivated, suggesting the suspect had disagreed with the government plans involving the media and the justice system.
The defence minister, Robert Kaliňák, said the assassination attempt had been premeditated
Parties Urged To Suspend Campaign
Also on Thursday, Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia’s President-elect called on all parties in Slovakia to temporarily suspend or considerably reduce their European election campaign.
The shooting comes three weeks before European parliament elections, with polls suggesting that populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc will make gains.
Pellegrini said that this would prevent “stand-offs and mutual accusations between politicians,” prior the elections, which will be held on 6-9 June, 2024.
“If there is anything that the people of Slovakia urgently need today, it is at least basic agreement and unity among the Slovak political representation. And if not consensus, then please, at least civilised ways of discussing among each other.”
Peter Pellegrini
Pellegrini revealed that he had spoken with Fico.
“He is able to speak but only a few sentences and then he is really tired because he is on some medication,” he told reporters.
Outgoing President, Zuzana Caputova also called for a calming of political tensions and said she would invite all parliamentary party leaders for a joint meeting.
“Let’s step out of the vicious circle of hatred and mutual accusations,” she said.
She added, “What happened yesterday was an individual act but the tense atmosphere of hatred has been our collective work.”
READ ALSO: Tourism In Ghana Experiences Remarkable Resurgence, Reaches $3.8 Billion Milestone
