The shocking shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in the town of Handlova has sent shockwaves across Europe just three weeks before EU parliament elections are scheduled to be held. Leaders from various political backgrounds have strongly condemned the apparent assassination attempt, calling it an attack on democracy. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova, who is a political rival of Fico, emphasized the unacceptable nature of violence and hateful rhetoric in society, urging for a stop to it. President-elect Peter Pellegrini also expressed concerns about the unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy posed by the attack on Fico, highlighting the need for political differences to be resolved through peaceful means rather than violence.
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also condemned the act of violence against the Slovak Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of preventing violence from becoming normalized in any country. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed shock and horror at the shooting, wishing Fico strength for a speedy recovery. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed solidarity with his friend Fico, praying for his health and quick recovery. US President Joe Biden also condemned the act of violence, offering prayers for Fico’s swift recovery and expressing support for the people of Slovakia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the incompatibility of such acts of violence with democracy, emphasizing the need to uphold democracy as a fundamental value. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic echoed similar sentiments, stating that violence has no place in politics and undermines the principles of freedom and democracy. The collective response from European leaders and others reflects a strong condemnation of the attack on Robert Fico and a unified stance against violence in politics. As investigations into the shooting continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and resolving political differences peacefully.
