The 71-year-old man from Levice suspected of attacking Robert Fico has been apprehended. Law enforcement swiftly cordoned off the area. Security measures were promptly enforced to ensure the safety of other government officials.
Fico is still undergoing surgery and is in an “extraordinarily serious” condition, Defense Minister Robert Kalinak told reporters after Slovakia’s PM was shot and wounded in an attempted assassination.
After the assassination of Robert Fico, the protection of deputies and a number of media representatives will be strengthened, said the Minister of the Interior Matúš Šutaj Eštok. He added that the attacker shot with a "clear political motivation."
At the briefing, both the defense and interior ministers repeatedly called for peace and asked people not to spread hatred. Eštok said that today is "the saddest day for Slovak democracy."
It was reported that
Prime Minister Fico, 59, sustained 2-3 gunshot wounds, purportedly hitting his arm, chest, and abdomen. Some sources even suggest that as many as 4-5 shots were fired.
The same witness reported seeing security personnel forcibly escorting someone into a vehicle before driving away from the scene.
Who will lead Slovakia?
If Robert Fico were to be incapacitated for an extended period, he would be replaced by one of the deputy prime ministers. The absence of the prime minister is partially covered by the competency law, which states that in such a case, a deputy prime minister designated by the prime minister assumes the role. They would then convene and lead government sessions.
Currently, there are four deputy prime ministers in the
government. One of them is Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer), and since they are from the same party as the prime minister, it is likely that he could temporarily assume the responsibilities.
Another deputy prime minister is Economy Minister Denisa Saková from Hlas, along with her party colleague Peter Kmec, who serves as the deputy prime minister for the recovery plan. The fourth deputy prime minister is Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba.
