Devendra Kumar
The attempted assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has shaken the nation, with the small central European country already grappling with extreme political polarisation. Fico, 59, was shot multiple times in the stomach while greeting supporters in the town of Handlova, and is currently in serious but stable condition. The attacker, a 71-year-old retiree and apparent amateur poet, reportedly cited dissatisfaction with several of Fico’s policies, including his overhaul of public broadcasting, as motivation for the attack.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of the media in fueling political tensions. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok has called on journalists to “reflect” on how they have covered Fico’s policies, with some government ministers suggesting that the media has contributed to the vitriolic atmosphere. President-elect Peter Pellegrini has urged political parties to suspend or scale back their campaigns for European elections, scheduled for June 6-9.
Fico has long been a divisive figure, and his return to power last year on a pro-Russian, anti-American platform has raised concerns among fellow European Union and NATO members. His government has sought to overhaul public broadcasting, a move critics say would give the government full control over public television and radio. Thousands of protesters have repeatedly rallied against his policies, and the attempted assassination has only added to the sense of urgency and alarm.
The event is seen as a significant blow to Slovak democracy, with President Zuzana Caputova calling on the nation to “step out of the vicious circle of hatred and mutual accusations.” Caputova and Pellegrini held a joint press conference, appealing for Slovaks to put aside their differences and work together. Meanwhile, international leaders have condemned the attack, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing support for Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denouncing the violence against a neighboring country’s head of government.
As the investigation into the attack continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the deepening political divide in Slovakia and the need for constructive dialogue and cooperation. The country’s citizens are left to grapple with the consequences of the attack, and the imperative to work together to overcome the extreme polarisation that has characterised the country’s political terrain.