On Wednesday, around 150 kilometers northeast of the city, in Handlova, there was a gunshot incident that injured Robert Fico, the populist prime minister of Slovakia.
PM Fico was apparently struck in the abdomen by one of the four rounds that were fired. When Fico arrived at the Handlova hospital, he was conscious and was treated for gunshot wounds.
His vital signs were successfully stabilized by medical professionals, according to Reuters, which cited a hospital spokesperson.
In a parliamentary session, deputy speaker of the house Lubos Blaha verified the occurrence and delayed it indefinitely, according to the Slovak news agency TASR.
Following the gathering in Handlova, northeast of the capital Bratislava, a witness for Reuters claimed to have heard multiple gunshots.
The witness said that security personnel hurriedly escorted someone into a car and left, while police apprehended a man at the spot.
A helicopter was sent by emergency services to Handlova in response to reports of a man, age 59, having been shot.
Fico was supposed to meet with supporters at the local House of Culture when the shooting took place. After the gunfire, rescuers reportedly saw the premier being hurried to a car.
Law enforcement has now blocked off the area. This was reported by a correspondent for the daily newspaper Dennik N.
According to the hospital director who spoke to AFP, the injured PM received treatment at a hospital in Handlova and is currently being evacuated to the capital, Bratislava.
Numerous officials conveyed their surprise at the occurrence.
Zuzana Caputova, the president of Slovakia, tweeted her “utter shock” and her prayers for the family.
“I am deeply troubled by the vicious assault that Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico endured today, and I strongly denounce it.”
I’m wishing him speedy healing and strength during this trying time. “My condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” Caputova wrote on X (previously Twitter).
“The vile attack” was denounced by European Union President Ursula von der Leyen. Such violent crimes are unacceptable in our society and a threat to democracy, the most valuable common good.
She wrote on X, “My sympathies are with PM Fico and his family. Praying also was UK PM Rishi Sunak. “Amazed to learn of this terrible news. Sunak stated, “Prime Minister Fico and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Robert Fico became Slovakia’s prime minister again last year, this time after he maneuvered through a changing political environment.
Throughout his thirty-year career, Fico has vacillated between nationalistic and pro-European viewpoints, occasionally criticizing US and EU policy.
He has proven to be flexible, changing his strategy in response to shifting political forces and public opinion.
Following the shooting incident, the largest opposition party in Slovakia called off a planned protest against proposed reforms pertaining to the national broadcaster.