Fico is “very tired” – Hit by four bullets: It was a matter of “centimeters”

Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak called Fico’s health condition still serious on Thursday. The head of government was hit by four bullets and the injuries were very serious.

“The doctors managed to stabilize the condition,” Kalinak said. But Fico is not yet out of danger. Lapunikova warned that the effects of the gunshot wounds could complicate recovery. An experienced surgeon who is not part of the treatment team told ‘Dennik N’ that the next three to four days will be crucial.

Fico can barely talk
After a brief visit to the hospital, President-elect Peter Pellegrini reported that he was able to talk to Fico, but “he was very tired. It was not possible to talk to him or about politics any longer.” The assassination attempt had crossed a “red line,” the president-elect explained.

“The head of government escaped death by a hair. It would have been enough if the gunshot wound or several gunshot wounds had been a few centimeters further away, and perhaps today we have to talk about completely different things.” critical, Pellegrini also emphasized.

A decision on relocation will be made on Monday
The 59-year-old remained in the intensive care unit of the University Hospital in Banska Bystrica on Thursday after a five-hour operation. A medical board is expected to decide on Monday on further action, such as a transfer to the capital Bratislava, clinic director Miriam Lapunikova told the ‘Dennik N’ newspaper.

If the head of government were to resign for health reasons, this would automatically bring down the entire government, in accordance with the Slovak Constitution. The founders of the Basic Law appear not to have taken into account the fact that a prime minister cannot continue his official duties due to an assassination attempt.

Change could look like 2018
However, the change at the top of the government in 2018 could serve as a model. Fico resigned from his position under public pressure after the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak. The coalition parties agreed on Peter Pellegrini as their joint successor, who was then appointed by the president. As long as Fico takes a break until he fully recovers, his deputies will continue to run the government – ​​with Kalinak the first in order.

A criminal investigation into attempted murder has been launched against the suspected attacker. He is a 71 year old from the small town of Levice. Interior Minister Matus Sustaj Estok said the man was a “lone wolf” who was dissatisfied with political developments in Slovakia. However, he is not a member of a radicalized political group, neither right nor left.

Please note, the following video shows the seconds of the attack and contains disturbing scenes:

Attention has now also turned to possible shortcomings in security measures in the small town of Handlova, where the shooting took place after a cabinet meeting when Fico tried to shake hands with supporters gathered at a fence.

Was the attack preventable?
The authorities are investigating whether his bodyguards did not adequately protect the head of government or whether these types of incidents are simply difficult to prevent in an open society. Several experts criticized the safety measures on site or even spoke of a “failure”.

Some media also raised questions about how a video of the alleged attacker, apparently recorded at a police station – possibly even by a police officer – could reach the public.

Shadow over the European elections
Meanwhile, outgoing President Zuzana Caputova and her chosen successor Pellegrini invited the political parties for joint talks. “Let’s get out of the vicious circle of hatred and mutual accusations,” Caputova called in Bratislava.

Pellegrini called on the parties to temporarily suspend or at least limit their election campaign before the European elections on June 9. In the neighboring Czech Republic, unions have canceled a day of protests with demonstrations planned for May 21 due to the situation in Slovakia.