Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometres northeast of the capital, where the leader was meeting with supporters. A suspect has been detained, it said.
Fico was rushed to hospital, where he was declared to be in "life-threatening" condition, the Slovak government office said in an emailed statement.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said.
Footage posted on X showed panicked scenes, with people fleeing the area as police sealed off the scene.
A reporter for the daily newspaper Dennik N daily heard shooting and then saw rescuers carrying the premier to a car.
Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.
“I’m shocked,” Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”
Slovakia’s major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television.
“We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today's shooting of Premier Robert Fico," said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. “At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension.”
A former bodybuilder, Fico, 59, returned to power in Slovakia after elections last year, at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition.
A fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin and fast cars, Fico ran an anti-migrant campaign and promised to bring "stability, order and well-being" in Slovakia.
'Vile attack'
The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.
The EU's top two chiefs joined several other European leaders in condemning the attack.
"I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.
"Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family," she said.
European Council President Charles Michel followed up on X saying he was "shocked at the news".
"Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks. My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family," he said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was "deeply shocked" by the news.
"I am deeply shocked by the news of the cowardly attack on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico," Scholz said on X and calling for an end to "violence... in European politics".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the "appalling" attack and wished Fico a speedy recovery.
"We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner state's head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere," he said in a message on social media.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was "shocked and appalled by the shooting" and wished Fico a speedy recovery.
"I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia," Stoltenberg wrote on X.
Source France24
BDST: 2139 HRS, MAY 15, 2024
MSK
