Robert Fico, the populist Prime Minister of Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member, is gradually recovering after being shot multiple times by a would-be assassin, according to government and hospital officials.
“Based on the examination results, today’s medical board meeting confirmed the gradual improvement of the Prime Minister’s health condition,” the government said in a brief statement.
The attack occurred on May 15 in the central town of Handlova when Fico was greeting supporters. The assailant shot the 59-year-old premier four times at close range, striking him in the abdomen. Fico was evacuated and taken to the F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital in the regional capital of Banska Bystrica in life-threatening condition, undergoing five hours of surgery. A second operation was carried out two days later.
The suspect, detained at the scene, has been officially identified only as Juraj C. The 71-year-old has been charged with premeditated murder, though he claims he only intended to injure Fico, not kill him.
Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, an ally of Fico, described Fico’s attempted assassin as a “left-wing activist.” He implied the Slovak was targeted because, like Orban himself, he opposes ongoing Western involvement in Ukraine’s war with Russia, favoring a negotiated peace.
Pro-Ukraine social media users reacted to Fico’s shooting by expressing hope Orban would be targeted next.
