The prime minister, who was critically injured in the assassination attempt, is now in stable condition under continuous medical care, media reported on Thursday.
The incident, which has deeply unsettled Slovakia's political landscape, occurred on Wednesday in Handlová, where Fico was shot at point-blank range by three bullets while meeting with supporters.
Following surgery, his condition was stabilized, as confirmed by Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak, who described the prime minister's health as "very serious" but improving.
The attack has provoked a flurry of emotional responses from across the political spectrum. President Zuzana Čaputová made a poignant appeal shortly after the incident, urging to "stop spreading hatred" that she believes led to this violent act, Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
In a highly charged press conference, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and leader of the Slovak National Party, Andrej Danko, vocally criticized the media for their role in the political climate, directly challenging prominent journalists and news outlets.
The gravity of the situation was further underscored by the emotional reactions of government officials at a hospital press conference on Thursday, where Interior Ministry chief Matúš Šutaj Eštok ominously warned of the potential for civil war.
(jh)
Source: IAR