Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico Wounded In Shooting Incident

Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, sustained injuries in a shooting incident on Wednesday afternoon. According to reports of Slovakian TV station, Fico, aged 59, was shot in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in Handlova. The town, situated approximately 150 kilometers northeast of the capital, was hosting a meeting between the Prime Minister and his supporters. A suspect related to the incident has been apprehended by authorities.

Following the shooting, the police secured the area, and Prime Minister Fico was promptly transported to a hospital in Banska Bystrica.

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The shooting incident occurs amid escalating political tensions in Slovakia, just three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections. Anticipations suggest that populist and hard-right parties across the 27-nation bloc are likely to make significant gains in the upcoming elections.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Lubos Blaha, acknowledged the incident during a parliamentary session, subsequently adjourning proceedings until further notice.

In response to the attack, Slovakia’s major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, called off a planned protest against a controversial government initiative to reform public broadcasting. They condemned the violence and urged politicians to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions.