The former prime minister Fico remains accessible and reachable.
Following a cabinet gathering, Slovakian Prime Minister Fico gets shot by an individual. Earlier, the prime minister's life was on the line. Now he's able to speak again.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who sustained severe injuries during an assassination attempt, can speak again. Slovakian President-elect Peter Pellegrini shared the news outside the Banska Bystrica hospital where the 59-year-old is currently receiving treatment. "He speaks, but can only utter a few sentences before becoming drained," Pellegrini said. "The situation remains critical." Tough times are expected for the head of government.
A "red line" had reportedly been crossed with the assassination attempt, according to Pellegrini. "The prime minister narrowly avoided death," Pellegrini added. "If the bullet wounds had been a few centimeters deeper, we might be discussing a very different situation right now."
Fico was shot multiple times after a cabinet meeting in Handlova, a small town in the country's center, on Wednesday. The premier was conversing with citizens after the meeting when the attack unfolded. Fico experienced life-threatening injuries and endured several hours of emergency surgery.
Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak mentioned that Fico's condition is "extremely serious."
Interior Minister: Assailant angry over presidential polls
The culprit, a writer from Levice, was taken into custody by security forces. The 71-year-old was a one-man operation enraged by the outcome of Slovakia's presidential election. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok shared these details.
Fico's left-leaning populist Smer party emerged victorious in September's parliamentary election, carrying a pro-Russian and anti-American agenda. As a result, Fico was once more in power after serving as the head of the government three times previously.
Pellegrini, who defeated Fico in the Slovakian presidential run-off election in April, is an ally of the prime minister. Fears among critics are increasing that Slovakia, under Fico, may abandon its pro-Western course and align itself with Hungary and its populist leader Viktor Orban.
Mass demonstrations against Fico's policies have taken place recently in Bratislava and other parts of the country. People have gathered to express their disapproval.
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The assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, sparking concerns about political stability, was reportedly motivated by the perpetrator's anger over the presidential election results. Despite the critical condition, Fico managed to utter a few sentences following the assassination, which targeted his life for a second time.
Source: www.ntv.de
