Slovakia's PM Robert Fico injured in shooting, in life-threatening condition
The HinduSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event May 15 afternoon, according to his Facebook profile. A message posted to Fico’s Facebook account said that the leader “has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition.” It said he was being transported by helicopter to the Banská Bystrica, 29 km away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. “We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today’s shooting of Premier Robert Fico,” said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.” Mr. Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakia’s Sept. 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned what she described as a “vile attack.” “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good,” von der Leyen said in a post on X. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the incident “shocking,” adding “I wish the premier to get well soon.