Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has made his first public appearance since surviving an assassination attempt three weeks ago. In a prerecorded speech posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Fico acknowledged the serious damage to his health caused by the attack.
He mentioned that it would be a small miracle if he were able to return to work in several weeks. Fico, who has been recovering from multiple wounds sustained during the incident on May 15 in Handlova, expressed his intention to return to work by the end of June or beginning of July.
Despite the traumatic experience, he stated that he harbors no hatred towards his attacker, identified as 71-year-old Juraj C, who was promptly arrested and charged with attempted premeditated murder. Fico’s resilience and forgiveness were evident as he addressed the public, seemingly in good spirits.
“I forgive him,” he said, adding he planned no legal action against the assailant.
Despite the traumatic experience of the assassination attempt, Prime Minister Robert Fico has not shied away from addressing political matters. He criticized the opposition and others, suggesting that the attack was motivated by political hatred.
Fico implied that his differing views on Russia’s war in Ukraine and other issues had made him a target. Following his release from the hospital in Banska Bystrica last week, he continues to recuperate at his home in Bratislava.
The video of the attack, which circulated widely, depicted Fico reaching out to shake hands with people gathered at barricades before being shot. He underwent extensive surgeries immediately after the incident. The assassination attempt has underscored the political polarization in Slovakia, with opposition parties leading protests against Fico’s government on various policy decisions.
