Political upheaval was already rampant in Slovakia.

 Political upheaval was already rampant in Slovakia..

The assassination attempt on Robert Fico coincides with Slovakia plunging into yet another period of political chaos, a turbulence primarily attributed to his own actions. The attack occurred amidst parliamentary deliberations over his government's contentious proposal to dismantle Slovakia's public broadcaster, potentially replacing it with a more compliant entity suspected of aligning closely with Fico and his allies in the populist-nationalist coalition.

This proposal has triggered widespread protests, with liberal pro-western opposition groups and concerned citizens rallying against the perceived threat to media independence. Additionally, Fico's controversial reforms in the realm of criminal justice, such as the abolition of the Special Prosecutor's Office aimed at investigating high-level corruption and organized crime, have sparked massive public demonstrations.

Despite the passionate dissent expressed in these protests, they have remained peaceful thus far. However, the atmosphere in Slovakia has grown increasingly tense since Fico assumed office for his fourth term, and this assassination attempt pushes the nation into uncharted territory.

In response to the attack, one of Fico's coalition partners, Deputy Prime Minister Andrej Danko, leader of the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party, has already pointed fingers at the opposition, warning of an impending "political war" within the country.

President Biden denounced the "horrific act of violence" and assured that the US embassy is closely coordinating with the Slovakian government, ready to offer assistance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that there is "no justification for this monstrous crime" and, in a message to Slovak President Zuzana Caputova, praised Robert Fico as "a courageous and resolute individual".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson conveyed that "the Secretary-General strongly condemns the shocking attack carried out today".

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, emphasized that "nothing can justify violence or such assaults".

French President Emmanuel Macron, posting on X, voiced his "strong condemnation" of the attack on Robert Fico, expressing solidarity with him, his family, and the people of Slovakia.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed being in "deep shock" at the "cowardly attack" and strongly condemned "all forms of violence and assaults on the fundamental principles of democracy and freedom".