Slovak police charge man with attempted murder of PM; Robert Fico stable but in serious condition – Europe live
Hospital director says Slovakia PM has stabilised but remains in a critical condition after he was shot several times on Wednesday.
End the spiral of attacks and blame,' opposition leader says
Michal Šimečka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia, said in a social media post that ““I appreciate the call for reconciliation and the strong political gesture of president Zuzana Čaputová and president-elect Peter Pellegrini.”
“The attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy,” he stressed.
“Most of all, we now need to end the spiral of attacks and blame. We must all contribute to this in our own way, both as politicians and as citizens,” he said.
Šimečka also said that Progressive Slovakia “have always been supporters of a professional and decent politics. Even after yesterday’s terrible act, I say this clearly - we immediately suspended the campaign to the European Parliament and are providing full cooperation and collaboration to political partners to calm the situation in Slovakia.”
I am outside the apartment block where the reported gunman who shot Slovakian PM lived on the top floor in the sleepy town of Levice. “I am shocked, he was a polite and calm guy,” says his longtime neighbour and friend.
Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia’s president-elect and a Fico ally, has called on parties to suspend or tone down their campaigns ahead of the European parliament election, Reuters reported.
'Now is the time to change the direction', Slovakia's former prime minister says
Eduard Heger, who served as Slovakia’s prime minister from April 2021 until May 2023, told the Guardian today that what happens next depends on the choices of politicians – and that more respect is needed.
“First of all, I strongly condemn the attack on the prime minister. Violence is unacceptable and I wish him a quick recovery,” Heger said.
Asked about the impact of the shooting on Slovakia’s political landscape and whether the incident could be used as a pretext for a crackdown on critical voices, he said “there is a high threat that it could lead to it.”
“Therefore, it will very much depend on how the politicians will act in the upcoming hours and days. Whether they will bring the society together, or they will keep polarising the society,” Heger said.
He added: “Now is the time to change the direction and bring respect to the political debate. Politicians are role models for the society and they need to lead the society into the roots of democracy and freedom for the good of all citizens.”
End the spiral of attacks and blame,' opposition leader says
Michal Šimečka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia, said in a social media post that ““I appreciate the call for reconciliation and the strong political gesture of president Zuzana Čaputová and president-elect Peter Pellegrini.”
“The attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy,” he stressed.
“Most of all, we now need to end the spiral of attacks and blame. We must all contribute to this in our own way, both as politicians and as citizens,” he said.
Šimečka also said that Progressive Slovakia “have always been supporters of a professional and decent politics. Even after yesterday’s terrible act, I say this clearly - we immediately suspended the campaign to the European Parliament and are providing full cooperation and collaboration to political partners to calm the situation in Slovakia.”
I am outside the apartment block where the reported gunman who shot Slovakian PM lived on the top floor in the sleepy town of Levice. “I am shocked, he was a polite and calm guy,” says his longtime neighbour and friend.
Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia’s president-elect and a Fico ally, has called on parties to suspend or tone down their campaigns ahead of the European parliament election, Reuters reported.
'Now is the time to change the direction', Slovakia's former prime minister says
Eduard Heger, who served as Slovakia’s prime minister from April 2021 until May 2023, told the Guardian today that what happens next depends on the choices of politicians – and that more respect is needed.
“First of all, I strongly condemn the attack on the prime minister. Violence is unacceptable and I wish him a quick recovery,” Heger said.
Asked about the impact of the shooting on Slovakia’s political landscape and whether the incident could be used as a pretext for a crackdown on critical voices, he said “there is a high threat that it could lead to it.”
“Therefore, it will very much depend on how the politicians will act in the upcoming hours and days. Whether they will bring the society together, or they will keep polarising the society,” Heger said.
He added: “Now is the time to change the direction and bring respect to the political debate. Politicians are role models for the society and they need to lead the society into the roots of democracy and freedom for the good of all citizens.”
