No longer in a life-threatening condition

Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to survive a multiple assassination attempt after undergoing surgery, according to the country’s deputy prime minister.

“Fortunately, as far as I know, the operation went well and I assume that in the end he will survive,” Tomas Taraba told BBC Newshour. “At present, the state of the operation should be such that he is not in a life-threatening situation.”

The Slovak Prime Minister’s condition has stabilized but remains serious, a hospital official said on Thursday, cited by Reuters.

No further official updates on Fico’s condition have been released. CNBC contacted the Slovak Interior Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.

Fico, 59, was seriously injured on Wednesday after being shot multiple times following a political event in the Slovak town of Handlova. He was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital in Banska Bystrica for emergency treatment, according to his official Facebook page.

“It was a politically motivated attempt and it took place shortly after the presidential election,” Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok said at a press briefing, according to translated video footage and broadcast by Sky News.

A suspect has been arrested, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said on Wednesday. in a social media update.

“The assassination of the prime minister is first and foremost an attack on an attack on a human being – but it is also an attack on democracy,” she said in an officially translated video. “Police have arrested the attacker and will provide further information when possible.”

Fico served as Prime Minister of Slovakia for approximately 10 years during three terms, leading the Smer (Leadership) party. He recently took office following the 2023 parliamentary elections and pledged in October to end military support for Ukraine and no longer approve new sanctions against Russia, Reuters reported.

His administration has also proposed a controversial overhaul and state takeover of public broadcaster RTVS, as well as a highly controversial amendment to the country’s penal code that would, among other measures, eliminate the special prosecutor’s office charged with overseeing crimes. serious.