Slovakia Slovakian Prime Minister Fico warns of new assassination attempt

The Slovakian head of government Robert Fico, who was critically injured by shots fired by an opponent of the government on May 15, has warned of a possible new assassination attempt. In a radio interview with public broadcaster STVR, the 60-year-old left-wing populist accused his political opponents of inciting hatred and violence against the government: "I am one hundred percent convinced that there will be another assassination attempt against a government representative if the opposition and certain media do not stop doing what they are doing now."

Fico was gunned down by a 71-year-old pensioner on May 15 as he stepped outside to join waiting supporters after a government meeting in the small town of Handlova. The arrested assailant had justified his attack with hatred of Fico and his government policy, using similar rhetoric to opposition media.

Because police protection measures have increased since the attack on him, a new attack would be more complicated. "But it could happen that someone chooses a meeting of voters of the governing parties as a target, for example. That's what I'm afraid of," said Fico. He is also the leader of the largest governing party "Direction - Slovak Social Democracy" (Smer-SSD).

Government blames opposition for assassination attempt

Not only Fico, but also other government politicians had repeatedly accused the liberal opposition and media close to them of being to blame for the attack in May. They had created an aggressive climate with false information and by demonizing the governing parties as "mafia" and "criminals". The opposition, on the other hand, accuses the Fico government of politically abusing the attack to silence criticism of its measures.

SDA