Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a critical condition following an assassination attempt on 15 May. Fico was shot outside the House of Culture in Handlová, Western Slovakia, as he walked amongst citizens. The attacker allegedly fired five shots, leaving Fico with life-threatening injuries.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok called the attack “politically motivated” and urged calm, hinting that the country is on the brink of a civil war. The shooter, reported as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, was arrested at the scene. Cintula, a former chairman of the DÚHA Literary Club, is believed to have made the decision to attack Fico shortly after the recent presidential elections.
The incident triggered heightened security measures for constitutional representatives, political figures, and several media outlets. Fico underwent extensive surgery, and his condition, while complicated, is reportedly not life-threatening.