Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says he will be able to return to work ‘within a few weeks’ | News

In his first public speech since surviving the assassination attempt, Fico says he feels “no hatred” for his attacker.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico published a speech online, his first appearance since he was seriously injured in an assassination attempt three weeks ago.

In a pre-recorded speech on his Facebook page on Wednesday, ahead of the European Parliament elections, Fico said the attack had caused serious damage to his health and that “it will be a small miracle if I return to work within a few weeks.” ”.

Fico is recovering from multiple injuries after being shot in the abdomen while greeting supporters on May 15 in the town of Handlova, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava.

The attacker, identified by prosecutors as 71-year-old Juraj C, was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted premeditated murder.

Seemingly in good shape as he spoke, Fico promised to return to work in late June or early July and said he had “no hatred” for his attacker.

“I forgive him,” he said, adding that he did not plan any legal action against the attacker.

Still, he criticized the opposition and others, saying, “After all, it is clear that he was just a messenger of evil and political hatred.”

Fico suggested that his views on Russia’s war against Ukraine and other issues that differ sharply from the European mainstream made him a victim.

Fico was discharged from hospital in the central city of Banska Bystrica last week and taken to his home in Bratislava, where he continues to recover.

Video of the attack shows him approaching people gathered at barricades and reaching out to shake their hands as a man steps forward, extends his arm and fires five shots before he is tackled and arrested.

Fico immediately underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later.

The incident highlighted the deep polarization of politics in the Central European country of 5.4 million people.

Opposition parties have led protests against Fico’s government as it changes policy, halting military aid to Ukraine, closing a special prosecutor’s office despite concerns about the rule of law, and revamping state television and broadcasting. radio.