The Slovakian Prime Minister, Robert Fico, survived a shooting attack in May in the town of Handlova, where he was shot five times while greeting supporters. Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliňák, who also serves as Minister of Defence, stated that Fico’s health condition is improving gradually, but he is expected to face permanent musculoskeletal issues due to the gunshot wound to his abdomen.
“His health is still far from perfect. After such a serious injury, organs don’t function the same way they did in his younger years. However, through ongoing rehabilitation, doctors are working tirelessly to ensure he can resume his duties at full capacity,” Kaliňák remarked.
Kaliňák mentioned that Fico is anticipated to make a public appearance soon, without specifying whether it will be in person or via video.
This update represents an improvement from Fico’s own assessment of his health in early June, when he expressed doubts about returning to work in the near future following the shooting incident.
The 59-year-old Prime Minister was shot at close range during a meeting with supporters in Handlova on May 15. Videos captured the moment when an individual approached him and fired five rounds before being apprehended.
Following the shooting, Fico underwent extensive surgeries, including a five-hour procedure immediately after the incident and a subsequent surgery to remove necrotic tissue from his wounds.
In late May, he was transferred from a hospital in Banská Bystrica to his residence in Bratislava for continued care.
Despite the ordeal, Fico publicly expressed forgiveness towards his attacker, stating that he harbors no ill will and will not pursue legal action or seek compensation.
Shortly after the incident, the Slovak parliament unanimously passed a resolution urging political parties, civic organizations, and media to uphold election results and refrain from spreading hostility towards the democratically elected government, amidst concerns about political divisiveness in the aftermath of the attack.
