The assault towards Robert Fico, a symptom of rising political violence

Might 16, 2024 In the present day at 5:12 p.m.

The assassination try towards Robert Fico additional polarizes Slovak society. A transfer into motion, in a local weather of rising political violence in Europe and the remainder of the world.

The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, was on Thursday in a situation thought-regarding “very critical” however steady following a five-hour surgical procedure, in keeping with the administration of the Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica.

The 59-year-old chief was shot lifeless the day earlier than by some extent clean shot of 5 bullets, leaving a authorities assembly in Handlova. Robert Fico was ready for a second operationwith the worry of problems linked to taking anticoagulant medicine, in keeping with native media.

Full display view An indication studying “No to violence!” positioned within the metropolis heart, following the tried assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico, in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Might 16, 2024. ©EPA

The attacker, Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old author and safety guard, is accused of premeditated homicide. He faces life imprisonment. The person was seen throughout one other look by Robert Fico, on April 24, amongst demonstrators hostile to the Prime Minister’s insurance policies.

Slovakia is in shock. Assassination try on pro-Russian populist chief Robert Fico reveals deep divisions inside Slovak societywhich sure forces may very well be tempted to exacerbate so as to destabilize the nation and this a part of Europe. Russian propaganda, for instance, urged on Wednesday that the Slovaks ought to search for the sponsor in Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Robert Fico, a former communist who merged nationalism and left-wing politics within the Nineties, steadily moved nearer to the Kremlin by ceasing, following his re-election in 2023, arms deliveries to kyiv and opposing new sanctions towards Russia.

“The response from the Prime Minister’s camp exhibits a really sturdy polarization of Slovak society.”

Pierre Vercauteren

Political scientist and professor emeritus at UCLouvain

Radicalization of energy

The Slovak authorities was fast to point out indicators of radicalization. The Slovak Minister of Justice, Štefan Harabin, urged on Thursday “put the media so as” and of “dissolve” the pro-European opposition celebration Progressive Slovakia (SP), whom he accuses of being on the origin of this disaster. Nonetheless, opposition events known as for restraint.

“The response from the Prime Minister’s camp exhibits a really sturdy polarization of Slovak society“, summarizes political scientist Pierre Vercauteren.

Full display view A person waves a Slovak flag in entrance of the Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica the place Robert Fico is being handled. ©EPA

A torn society

Slovak society is deeply divided between a need for openness and progress, oriented in direction of Europe, and the enchantment of a regime, like that of Moscow, embodying order in an anxiety-provoking local weather marked by crises.

This polarization worsened in the course of the pandemic and following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine. It has accelerated in latest months round contested authorities reform tasks, aimed for instance at additional management the media and dissolve the anti-corruption prosecutor’s workplace.

“These crises gasoline the anxiety-provoking local weather and are coupled with a disaster of democracy characterised by mistrust of elites“, specifies Pierre Vercauteren. A pattern noticed in Europe and elsewhere on the earth.

“We’re involved regarding quite a few phenomena which might result in divisions throughout the EU.”

Eric Mamer

Spokesperson for the European Fee

Performing out

The assault on Robert Fico, the primary towards a European chief in 20 years, seems to be the results of growing violence polluting the political debate in Europe.

“For 5 to 6 years, there have been more and more marked acts of verbal violence throughout electoral campaigns”, says Pierre Vercauteren. Violence first current on social networks, “which pushes some to take motion“.

This case is being intently monitored by the EU. “We’re involved regarding quite a few phenomena that may result in divisions throughout the EU and democracies”, acknowledged Fee spokesperson Eric Mamer on Thursday. The European government says it’s “redoubled vigilance”, particularly by monitoring the unfold of hateful content material on social networks.

The abstract

• Slovak Prime Minister is in steady situation, in keeping with medical authorities. His assailant, aged 71, faces life imprisonment.
• This assassination try, in a deeply polarized Slovak society, is a part ofmore and more marked verbal violence throughout electoral campaigns. First current on social networks, it’s adopted by actions, analyzes political scientist Pierre Vercauteren.