Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and seriously wounded on Wednesday in what the government said was an assassination attempt.
a post The prime minister’s official Facebook page, which was verified, said Mr Fico suffered “multiple” gunshot wounds and was in “life-threatening danger”.
“A decision will be made in the coming hours,” the post said.
Local media reported that the attack took place in the central Slovak town of Handlova, where veteran politician Fico was meeting supporters.
President Zuzana Caputova’s stance was largely ceremonial, condemning what she called a “cruel and reckless attack.”
“I’m shocked,” she wrote in a Facebook message. “Wishing Roberto Fico the strength to recover from the attack at this critical moment.”
The exact nature of Mr. Fico’s injuries is unclear. Police had no immediate comment.
Pictures from the scene published by Reuters showed Fico’s security personnel appearing to be running around a black sedan. Other photos showed a man handcuffed on the ground.
Ms. Caputova, His term ends in JuneShe has used her limited power to resist Fico’s move toward Russia and to limit the judiciary’s ability to prosecute corruption.
Mr. Fico joins Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, in opposing aid to Ukraine and challenging prevailing views within the EU.
On Wednesday, Mr Orban was quick to send his best wishes to Mr Fico, whom he called “my friend”.
“We pray for his health and speedy recovery,” Mr Orban wrote on social media.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has clashed with Fico in the past, also said she strongly condemned the “despicable attack.”
“Such violence has no place in our society and undermines democracy, our most precious common good,” she wrote on social media.
Mr Fico ended an earlier term as prime minister Orban also sought to weaken the country’s judiciary after he resigned in 2018 amid a series of corruption charges and cast Ukraine’s supporters as disloyal U.S. lackeys.
Mr Fico returns to power after term ends September general electionHe resigned amid massive street protests after the murder of an investigative journalist investigating government corruption, reviving a political career that many had considered.
