BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico made a poignant return to the public eye on Wednesday, suggesting that his recent assassination attempt was a consequence of his divergent stance on Ukraine, counter to the European mainstream. Speaking in a prerecorded address posted online, Fico, known for his opposition to military aid to Ukraine, appeared composed as he addressed the nation for the first time since the attack, just days ahead of Slovakia’s European Parliament elections.
Fico, who assumed office last fall with a platform that leaned towards Russia and against America, has been convalescing from multiple gunshot wounds sustained during an encounter with supporters on May 15 in Handlova. Although the assailant has been apprehended, authorities have yet to disclose his identity, initially suggesting he acted alone before indicating a possible involvement of a "third party.
Expressing his intention to return to work in about a month, Fico displayed a remarkable absence of animosity towards his attacker, declaring, “I forgive him.” However, he directed criticism towards the opposition and others, condemning them as purveyors of "evil and political hatred.
Fico, often regarded as a leftist populist figure, implied that his dissenting views on Russia’s actions in Ukraine and other contentious issues had rendered him a target. He underscored his decision to terminate Slovakia’s military assistance to Ukraine upon assuming power, along with his opposition to EU sanctions on Russia and Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
“In today's European Union, the right to hold differing opinions seems to have vanished,” he lamented, attributing the alleged suppression to unspecified Western nations.
Having been discharged from the hospital in Banska Bystrica last week, Fico continues his recovery at home in Bratislava. Footage of the attack portrays him reaching out to greet supporters before shots are fired, resulting in extensive surgeries and a prolonged period of recuperation.
The suspect, currently charged with attempted murder, remains in custody following a ruling by the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok. Prosecutors have instructed authorities to withhold the suspect's identity and case details from the public domain.
Initially, government officials characterized the attack on Prime Minister Fico as the work of a "lone wolf" driven by political motives. However, subsequent revelations hinted at the involvement of a "third party," allegedly acting in collusion with the assailant. Addressing the public on Wednesday, Fico dismissed the notion of a solitary perpetrator, asserting he saw no grounds to attribute the incident to the actions of an isolated individual.
Fico's Smer (Direction) party secured victory in Slovakia's parliamentary elections on September 30, and now finds itself embroiled in a heated contest with the main opposition, Progressive Slovakia, a pro-Western liberal faction, for dominance in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Concurrently, Fico's administration has pursued controversial reforms, including a restructuring of public broadcasting, prompting concerns about potential government encroachment on media independence. Additionally, proposed amendments to the penal code, aimed at abolishing the office of a special anti-corruption prosecutor, have fueled fears of a drift towards authoritarianism, drawing parallels with Hungary's trajectory under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The growing apprehension over Fico's perceived authoritarian tendencies has galvanized opposition, with thousands taking to the streets in protest against his policies, both in the capital and across Slovakia. As the political landscape simmers with dissent, the nation braces for pivotal elections that could shape its trajectory for years to come.
Initially, government officials characterized the attack on Prime Minister Fico as the work of a "lone wolf" driven by political motives. However, subsequent revelations hinted at the involvement of a "third party," allegedly acting in collusion with the assailant. Addressing the public on Wednesday, Fico dismissed the notion of a solitary perpetrator, asserting he saw no grounds to attribute the incident to the actions of an isolated individual.
Fico's Smer (Direction) party secured victory in Slovakia's parliamentary elections on September 30, and now finds itself embroiled in a heated contest with the main opposition, Progressive Slovakia, a pro-Western liberal faction, for dominance in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Concurrently, Fico's administration has pursued controversial reforms, including a restructuring of public broadcasting, prompting concerns about potential government encroachment on media independence. Additionally, proposed amendments to the penal code, aimed at abolishing the office of a special anti-corruption prosecutor, have fueled fears of a drift towards authoritarianism, drawing parallels with Hungary's trajectory under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The growing apprehension over Fico's perceived authoritarian tendencies has galvanized opposition, with thousands taking to the streets in protest against his policies, both in the capital and across Slovakia. As the political landscape simmers with dissent, the nation braces for pivotal elections that could shape its trajectory for years to come.