This week's assassination attempt on Slovakia's PM Robert Fico has shone a light on deep political divisions in the country, but there could also be a lesson for several other world leaders in the attack.
Here's something you can't debate: Robert Fico knows how to win elections. He's done it four times.On one side, pro-European interventionalism, strong anti-corruption guardrails and a free press; on the other, nationalism, anti-immigration and the media cast as the enemy.Officials have described Mr Fico's shooting as politically motivated.
"Unfortunately, this is not only happening in Slovakia. The repercussions were there, but it's vibrated around Europe and beyond."Slovakia's outgoing president Zuzana Čaputová — the country's head of state — made her view clear in the hours after it."The hateful rhetoric we witness in society leads to hateful acts."Mr Fico is not alone in using a firebrand political style to attract votes.
Mr Fico shares an ability to divide, rather than unite, with those leaders, but there's a key difference: his political longevity has been underpinned by a readiness to change. "I think he and his party have seen that the people who are vulnerable to hoaxes and disinformation and these things, are easy prey for votes."Mr Fico's recipe for success has enraged plenty of constituents.
"The idea of multicultural Europe failed and the natural integration of people who have another way of life, way of thinking, cultural background and most of all religion, is not possible," he said at the time, pointing to terror attacks in Germany and France. His detractors cast him as a dog-whistling autocrat-in-waiting, hell-bent on tearing down the public institutions they hold dear and undermining democracy.In that way, the events of the past week in Slovakia, Mr Nic says there is a warning for leaders like Mr Fico elsewhere.Slovakia PM shot in 'politically motivated' attack, remains in life-threatening condition, 71yo arrested
Assassination Donald Trump Narendra Modi Benjamin Netanyahu
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Slovakia's PM Robert Fico shot outside government meetingSlovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot after a government meeting in the town of Handlova.
Read more »
Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico wounded in shootingSlovakian media said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired in the town of Handlova. A suspect has been detained.
Read more »
Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico wounded in shootingSlovakian media said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired in the town of Handlova. A suspect has been detained.
Read more »
Slovakia’s Robert Fico stable but still in serious condition, hospital says, after assassination attemptHospital director says Slovakia PM has stabilised but remains in a critical condition after he was shot several times on Wednesday
Read more »
Slovakia’s Robert Fico stable but still in serious condition, hospital says, after assassination attemptHospital director says Slovakia PM has stabilised but remains in a critical condition after he was shot several times on Wednesday
Read more »
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico stable after surgery but condition 'very serious'Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is in 'very serious' but stable condition, a hospital official says, after he was shot five times in an assassination attempt that laid bare deep political divisions in the country.
Read more »