BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times in a targeted assassination attempt on Wednesday, an act that government officials have labeled as politically motivated. The attack has plunged the Central European nation into a state of shock and drawn swift condemnation from leaders across the globe.

The shooting occurred in the town of Handlova, approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava. Fico, 59, had just concluded an off-site government meeting and was greeting a small crowd of supporters outside a cultural center when a gunman opened fire.

According to Slovakia's Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, initial findings from the investigation clearly point to a political motivation behind the attack. "This is a lone wolf whose actions were accelerated after the presidential election," Šutaj Eštok stated at a press conference. A suspect was apprehended at the scene by security forces.

The Attack and Immediate Aftermath

Witnesses described hearing several gunshots in quick succession. Fico was immediately surrounded by his security detail, bundled into a car, and initially taken to a local hospital before being airlifted by helicopter to a major trauma center in Banská Bystrica.

A post on the prime minister’s official Facebook page stated that he had been "shot multiple times" and was in a "life-threatening condition." Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák, speaking to reporters from the hospital, confirmed the gravity of the situation. "The situation is very serious," Kaliňák said. "He is still in surgery, and it is a very complicated polytruama."

Slovak authorities have identified the alleged assailant as a 71-year-old man from the town of Levice. While his identity has been circulated in local media, officials have not yet formally named him or confirmed details about his background.

A Divisive Leader in a Polarized Nation

Robert Fico, a veteran politician who has served multiple terms as prime minister, is a deeply polarizing figure in Slovakia and across Europe. He returned to power last year at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition.

Since his latest term began, his government has pursued a controversial agenda that has sparked mass protests. Key policies include overhauling the criminal code and shutting down the special prosecutor's office that handled high-level corruption cases. His administration also moved to restructure the public broadcaster, a move critics claim is an attempt to exert political control over the media.

His foreign policy has also been a source of contention. Fico has been openly critical of Western support for Ukraine and has halted official state military aid to Kyiv, often adopting rhetoric seen as sympathetic to Russia. This stance has created friction with many of his European Union and NATO partners.

Global Condemnation and Fears of Escalation

The assassination attempt has sent shockwaves far beyond Slovakia’s borders, with world leaders expressing their horror and condemning political violence.

U.S. President Joe Biden called the attack a "horrific act of violence" and stated that the U.S. Embassy was ready to assist the Slovak government. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the "vile attack," saying, "Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among those who condemned the shooting, reflecting the gravity of an attack on a democratically elected leader, regardless of political differences.

The incident raises profound questions about the state of political discourse and security in a region already wrestling with deep-seated polarization. As Slovakia holds its breath, the focus remains on Fico's survival and the uncertain political path that lies ahead for the deeply divided nation.