Summary
Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded Wednesday after a political event. Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova. Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond.
Slovakia’s Parliament was adjourned until further notice. U.S. President Joe Biden said he was alarmed by the assassination attempt. The attack comes as political campaigning heats up three weeks ahead of Europe-wide elections. Concern is mounting that populist and nationalists similar to Fico could make gains.
