Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is alive – and kicking.
About twenty days in the past, a deranged leftist and pro-Ukrainian man shot him as he approached residents gathered close to the barricade and proceeded to shake arms with them.
The person, ‘poet’ Juraj Cintula, stepped ahead, raised his hand and fired 5 rounds – 4 of which hit the PM – earlier than being tackled and arrested.
At first, authorities mentioned his shooter acted alone, however later mentioned they have been on the lookout for a ‘third celebration’.
In a crucial situation, Fico underwent a five-hour surgical procedure, adopted by one other two-hour surgical procedure two days later.
However now, the resurgent populist chief says in no unsure phrases that he believes he was Aimed to place Ukraine towards the European mainstream.
The video recording Fico posted on-line was his first look for the reason that assassination try.
It comes simply days earlier than Slovakia votes on Saturday in European Parliament elections.
The Related Press reported:
“Apparently in good well being when he spoke, Fico promised to return to work in a couple of month and mentioned he felt “no hatred” in the direction of his attacker and deliberate no authorized motion towards him. ‘I forgive him,'” He mentioned in a 14-minute speech,
Nonetheless, he condemned the opposition and others, saying: ‘In spite of everything, it’s clear that he was solely a messenger of evil and political malice’.
Fico says his very totally different view of Russia’s conflict on Ukraine makes him a goal.
Fico has minimize navy assist to Ukraine, opposes EU sanctions on Russia and needs to dam Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO.
“‘It is merciless to say, however the precise to have a unique opinion has been closed within the European Union,’ he mentioned, blaming unspecified Western nations for the alleged state of affairs.”
Fico was launched from hospital final week and brought to his residence in Bratislava, the place he’s recovering.
“The nation’s specialised felony courtroom within the city of Pejinok has ordered the suspect, who’s accused of tried homicide, to stay in jail. […] Authorities officers initially mentioned they believed it was a politically motivated assault perpetrated by a ‘lone wolf’, however later introduced {that a} ‘third celebration’ might have been concerned ‘working for the good thing about the perpetrator’.
Fico mentioned on Wednesday that he had ‘no cause to consider’ that this was an assault by a lone deranged particular person.
Fico is a left-wing populist orientation (Path) The celebration is in a detailed race to win the European Parliament elections towards the opposition Progressive SlovakiaA professional-Western liberal celebration.
Learn extra:
Neoliberal activist who shot PM Robert Fico, known as him ‘Judas’, needs Slovakia to renew navy assist to Ukraine
