Slovak PM Robert Fico makes first public appearance since assassination attempt

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first public appearance on Friday (July 5) since he survived an assassination attempt in May. Prime Minister Fico took part in an evening ceremonymarking Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, a public holiday inSlovakia.He spoke standing at a podium at a castle ruins dating back over 11 centuries, a report by the news agency Reuters said.

"We must all together build a huge dam against the nonsensical, progressive and liberal ideologies that are spreading like a cancer. They are ideologies that are damaging this country," Fico said.

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"They are ideologies that were created perhaps only the day before yesterday. I do not wantSlovakiato be among the countries that make a caricature of Western civilization," he added.

The assassination attempt on Fico

Prime Minister Fico, 59,wasshot four times at close range on May 15 as he greeted supporters after a government meeting in the central town of Handlova.He washit in the abdomen and was taken to a hospital in Banska Bystrica in serious condition.

He has been recovering at home since the end of May. The attacker was identified as 71-year-oldJuraj C, who wasdetained and charged with attempted premeditated murder. Prosecutors this week upgraded the case to a terrorist attack.

The attackersaid he had wanted to hurt the prime minister, but not kill him, because he disagreed with the government's policies.

The assassination attemptdeepened the polarisation in Slovakia, a country of5.4 million.

Since coming to power in 2023,Fico's leftist-nationalist government has quickly shifted policy, including changing some criminal laws and cancelling a special prosecutor's office, transforming the public broadcaster, and halting state military aid to Ukraine.

Opposition parties have battled Fico's government over the changes.

Fico talks about Ukraine war

Talking about the Ukraine war, Fico said on Friday, "We are even criticised for having a clear view on the need for a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine."

Also watch |Assassination Attempt on SlovakPM : Who is 71-year-Old shooter?

I would like to express my admiration for the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, for not hesitating to go both to Kyiv and to Moscow, if my health had allowed me to do so, I would very much like to have joined him. There are not enough, I repeat, not enough peace talks, peace initiatives,"he added.

The Slovak PM also warned of an uncontrolled war if something was not done in the coming days and months about the situation developing in Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)