Fico was fighting for his life after being shot multiple times following a government meeting in the town of Handlová in central Slovakia on Wednesday, but regained consciousness after an hours-long surgery, according to local media. Doctors reportedly removed part of Fico’s small intestine due to heavy bleeding into his abdominal cavity.
The Office of the Government announced that Slovakia’s Security Council would convene for an extraordinary meeting Thursday. The Slovak Cabinet will also meet.
Before Taraba’s update, Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák told the press outside the Banská Bystrica hospital, where Fico was being treated, that the prime minister was “fighting for his life.” He added: “We are hoping that he is strong enough to make it.”
The populist prime minister won a general election last September and has faced widespread criticism for polarizing politics in the Central European nation, including pro-Russian rhetoric and a push to extend state control over the media.
Last month, Fico ally Peter Pellegrini won a runoff election for the Slovak presidency, giving Fico’s ruling coalition total control over the executive and legislative branches of government.
The alleged shooter was identified locally as a 71-year-old poet. Media published a leaked video of the suspect in which he reportedly said: “I don’t agree with the politics of this government,” citing crackdowns on media and the judiciary.