Slovakia's Populist Prime Minister Shot, Shocking Europe Before Elections

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# Slovakia's Populist Prime Minister Shot, Shocking Europe Before Elections

**BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia** — Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times and gravely wounded on Wednesday, but his deputy prime minister expressed optimism about his recovery.

The prime minister was greeting supporters at an event when the attempted assassination occurred, sending shockwaves through the small country and reverberating across Europe just weeks before a critical election..   Add2

"I guess in the end he will survive," Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC, adding, "He's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment."

Doctors worked for several hours to save Fico's life after the 59-year-old pro-Russian leader was hit in the abdomen, Defense Minister Robert Kalina informed reporters at the hospital where Fico is being treated.### Slovakia's Populist Prime Minister Shot, Shocking Europe Before Elections

**BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia** — Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times and gravely wounded on Wednesday, but his deputy prime minister expressed optimism about his recovery.

The prime minister was greeting supporters at an event outside a cultural center in Handlová, a town nearly 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital, when the attempted assassination occurred. Five shots were fired, hitting Fico in the abdomen while he was attending a government meeting in the former coal mining town of 16,000 residents.

A suspect is in custody, and an initial investigation found "a clear political motivation" behind the attack, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said during a briefing with reporters alongside the defense minister.

"I guess in the end he will survive," Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC, adding, "He's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment."

Doctors worked for several hours to save the life of the 59-year-old pro-Russian leader, Defense Minister Robert Kalina informed reporters at the hospital where Fico is being treated.   Add3

Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. His return to power last year on a pro-Russian, anti-American platform has raised concerns among fellow European Union members that he might steer Slovakia away from the Western mainstream.

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