😲Slovakia's populist prime minister shot multiple times in attempted assassination

[GOYABEAN]

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The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties appear poised to gain traction.

BRATISLAVA I, Slovakia — Slovakia's populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded Wednesday after a political event in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe.

The pro-Russian leader, 59, was reported to be fighting for his life after being hit in the stomach. At least four shots were fired outside a cultural center in the town of Handlova, nearly 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital, where Fico was meeting with supporters, the government said.

A suspect was in custody, the country’s president said in a televised statement. Fico was taken by helicopter to a hospital.

The motive for the shooting was unclear.

Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond, but his return to power last year on a pro-Russian, anti-American message led to even greater worries among fellow European Union members that he would lead his country further from the Western mainstream.

His government halted arms deliveries to Ukraine, and critics worry that he will lead Slovakia — a nation of 5.4 million that belongs to NATO — to abandon its pro-Western course and follow in the footsteps of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico’s policies.



https://www.wnep.com/article/news/na...1-d16b19b42b23

[steve_010]

They could have at least waited more than a couple days after he announced his anti-WHO stance to not give more credibility to the conspiracy theorists.

[free]

Well....somebody sent a message!

[father-of-five]

Interesting. The PM appears to be the polar opposite of the Czech Republic government. If they really want to leave NATO, i guess they can choose to do so. He should confuse the world and be pro-Russian AND pro American!! 😁