Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first public appearance since he was seriously injured in an assassination attempt, attacking his liberal political opponents and praising his Hungarian counterpart.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first public appearance on Friday since he was seriously injured in an attempted murderattacking his liberal political opponents and praising his Hungarian counterpart.
Fico has been recovering at home from the multiple wounds he suffered in the May 15 attack when he was shot in the abdomen while greeting supporters in the town of Handlova, nearly 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital.
The suspect, identified only as JC, was immediately arrested and faces terrorism charges.
Fico gave a speech on stage at a nighttime gathering to mark the 1,161st anniversary of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius, a national holiday in his country.
People gave him a standing ovation when he arrived at Devin Castle in the capital.
In his speech, Fico, who was on stage, attacked what he called liberal and progressive ideologies and praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his recent trips to Kyiv and Moscow.
Fico ended his country’s military aid to Ukraine after his coalition government was sworn in on October 25. He also opposes EU sanctions on Russia and wants to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
He has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time last year, when his left-wing party Smer, or Direction, won the election. parliamentary elections last September after campaigning on a Pro-Russian and anti-American message..
Critics worry that Slovakia could abandon its pro-Western course and follow Hungary’s lead under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Thousands of people have repeatedly demonstrated in the capital and throughout Slovakia. to protest against Fico’s policies.
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