Authorities Issue Warning Regarding Possible Threat - Slovak opposition is accused of an assassination attempt by Fico.
Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, has broken his silence over the shooting incident that occurred three weeks ago. In a video message to the public, he disclosed that he anticipates returning to his responsibilities as the leader of the country by late June or early July. Fico revealed that he holds no resentment towards the gunman who unleashed multiple bullets on him on May 15th.
Moreover, Fico accused the opposition of being behind the attack: "On May 15th, an adherent of the Slovak opposition attempted to take my life owing to my political convictions," he stated decisively. Fico asserted that the shooter was not a solitary individual but "simply a carrier of wickedness and political loathing, which has escalated beyond control among the politically unsuccessful and the discontented opposition in Slovakia."
Fico added that he had repeatedly cautioned about the potential dangers arising from the rising animosity created by the opposition and its media for several months prior to the incident. "For months, I've been expressing my concerns publicly in both the media and press conferences. I also informed the ambassadors of the European Union and NATO countries in Slovakia about this possible attack," he said.
The left-leaning prime minister was the victim of a shooting when he exited a government meeting in the small town of Handlova, heading towards his waiting supporters. The attacker was quickly apprehended by the police following the incident, and according to official documents obtained by dpa, he justified his actions with a personal hatred for Fico and the government's policies.
