Slovak Prime Minister Fico to Return to Work by Late June Following Assassination Attempt

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is recovering after being injured in an assassination attempt in mid-May. In his first official statement since the attack, he announced his intention to return to work by the end of June or the beginning of July. The announcement was made via a video message posted on his Facebook page.

"If everything goes according to plan, I will gradually return to work around the end of June and the beginning of July. It is time to take the first step. To forgive. I hold no grudge against the unknown individual who shot me. I will not take legal action or seek compensation for the harm caused. I will only say that this attack caused serious damage to my health, necessitating multiple surgeries and causing much pain. It will be a small miracle if I am able to return to work in a few weeks," Fico emphasized.

On Wednesday, June 5th, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Slovakia Robert Kaliňák also confirmed that Fico’s health is improving, and that most serious complications are behind him.

"The majority of the serious complications we faced initially have passed, and now it is a matter of his recovery, which might be quicker than we initially expected," said Kaliňák regarding Fico's health condition.

As reported by The Gaze, the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico occurred on May 15th. He was shot in the Slovak town of Handlová during an off-site government meeting. Shortly after the shooting, police neutralized and detained the suspected attacker.

The assailant was identified as 71-year-old writer Juraj Cintula, who legally owned the firearm. In a video following his arrest, he claimed political motives for the attack, expressing dissatisfaction with Fico's government, particularly his stance against independent media. There is also information that he previously praised the pro-Russian Slovak paramilitary group "Slovenskí Branci" and was photographed with its members.