The Slovak prime minister was shot after a government meeting, receiving several bullets, and his staff say his condition is critical

Robert Fico, the Slovak prime minister, was shot on Wednesday 15 May in Handlova, in the centre of the country, after a government meeting. His staff announced on his Facebook page that he had been shot several times and that his prognosis was life-threatening, requiring urgent surgery. Those close to him added that the next few hours would be decisive for his condition.

The government confirmed that Robert Fico was on his way to Banska Bystrica, describing the incident as an ‘assassination attempt’. A suspect was apprehended by the police, according to the newspaper Dennik N, whose reporter observed the Prime Minister being carried in a car by his bodyguards, a report confirmed by the President.

Robert Fico, 59, became prime minister again in October 2023, having previously held the post from 2012 to 2018. He had organised this government meeting in Handlova as part of a series of meetings held across the country.

The attack drew unanimous condemnation, with Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová describing it as ‘brutal’ and strongly condemning this act of violence. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as other European leaders, also expressed their indignation at this ‘heinous attack’ and wished Robert Fico a speedy recovery.