Slovak prime minister no longer in danger following attempted assassination. - Robert Fico: From former communist to ally of Putin
The Minister of Defense, Robert Kalinak, reported to the TASR news agency that Robert Fico's condition is "stable but still severe." Fico is now conscious again, but it's unknown when he'll resume leading the government.
Fico's Early Days
The man whose supporters are currently expressing concern is Robert Fico, a well-known Slovakian politician for nearly 30 years. Fico's political journey commenced in the Communist Party of the former Czechoslovakia.
Six years after the disintegration of the Czechoslovak Republic, Fico left the SDL successor party in 1999 and established the social democratic Smer-SD party (Smer meaning direction). In 2006, he won the elections and assumed the role of prime minister for the first time, thanks to a coalition with the right-wing National Party.
Fico vs. Merkel
Fico lost the next election in 2010 but returned to power in two short years when a center-right coalition crumbled due to accusations of corruption. He remained in office until 2018, and during that time, he took a firm stance on the refugee issue – in contrast to the German government led by Angela Merkel. In Fico's opinion, her "welcome culture" approach was a dismal failure.
In 2018, Fico was involved in a government crisis resulting from the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée. Kuciak had been investigating links between the Italian mafia and the highest-ranking Slovakian business and political circles. Huge protests ensued, leading to Fico's resignation. In spite of allegations against him, these investigations against him, as a parliamentary member, were thwarted.
Fico was once more appointed as the prime minister in the fall of 2023. Throughout the election campaign, he voiced his opposition to the EU sanctions against Russia and also declined to approve ammunition supplies to Ukraine to fend off Russian troops' imminent attack.
Critics have labeled him as "pro-Russian" and accused him of desiring to guide Slovakia in the same vein as Hungary under the rule of Viktor Orbán. Nonetheless, Slovakia has backed all EU steps against Russia and has consented to the entire spectrum of EU assistance for Ukraine. Greetings for his recovery were sent by both US President Joe Biden and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin...
Read also:
- The 15-year-old murderer admits to fatally shooting Francesco, who was 14.
- Schalke's pressure has affected Terodde.
- Columbia University Faces Possible Expulsion Following Demonstrations
- Football turmoil in Munich: Last-minute penalty stuns Bayern
Source: symclub.org
