BREAKING: Slovakia's longest serving Prime Minister in history shot in 'brutal attack' GB News
By George Bunn
Published: 15/05/2024
Updated: 15/05/2024
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The Prime Minister of Slovakia is in a 'life-threatening condition' after being shot while leaving a government meeting.
Prime Minister Robert Fico was reportedly lifted from the ground by security guards in the town in Slovakia and loaded into a car before being driven away.
The Slovak government office is in a life-threatening condition and is being transported by a helicopter to Banska Bystrica hospital.
Rishi Sunak said on social media: "Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family."
Slovakia's President Elect Peter Pellegrini said: "An assassination attempt on one of the highest constitutional officials is an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy.
"If we express different political opinions with guns in the squares, and not in polling stations, we endanger everything we have built together in 31 years of Slovak sovereignty."
"I wish the Prime Minister a swift recovery and healing. And I earnestly hope that such senseless and brutal acts become the subject of universal condemnation."
One eyewitness told local media she heard four shots, adding: "When the shots rang out, I almost became deaf."
Fico, a populist Left-winger, has been PM since 2023, having served previously from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. He has caused controversy throughout Europe for his pro-Russian stance. He has previously pledged to end Western arms deliveries heading to Ukraine through Slovakia.
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The Slovak emergency service dispatched a helicopter to a 59-year-old man in Handlova after receiving information that he had been shot, it said in a post on Facebook, adding that the action was still underway.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen condemned what she described as a vile attack on Fico.
She said: "I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. 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"
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said: "I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!"
Following the shooting, Slovakia's biggest opposition party called off a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday evening.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said: "Deeply shocked by the assassination attempt of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico. An attack against an elected leader is also an attack against the very idea of democracy. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
Ukrainian President Zelensky said: "The attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. 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. We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia."
