Slovak PM shot

Not good, it has scared a lot of politicians across Europe, and are all reviewing their security when out in public.

    Not good, it has scared a lot of politicians across Europe, and are all reviewing their security when out in public.
   

    -@SimCityAT

I expect so. All the rest will be wearing bullet proof vests.

Fico has been a controversial figure for many years.  And more recently he's not been popular with many in Slovakia over the TV reforms, proposed NGO law and lack of support for Ukraine. 

Latest reports are he was shot in the stomach.  Earlier reports said abdomen and head.  The perp was apparently in his 70s without any history of violence and malice.  Sounds like the guards were taken by surprise.

I  suppose gun ownership in Slovakia must be significant. We've got a couple of gun clubs nearby here in HU and I used to know people here who had pistols.   In my village, we can hear the target practice from my house.  I know people in Austria like their hunting guns too. 

Years ago (back in the 1990s) someone tried to hijack the Hungarian PM's car (an expensive 4x4).  It was just robbery but they didn't think it was the PM in it being followed by another car with a bunch of heavily armed guards in it.  I think at least one of the hijackers was killed in the shoot out.  I don't remember the details. 

Apparently Fico is less in danger healthwise this morning. 

But early news reports show divisions appearing between various political groups in parliament. 

Maybe it ends up with another election.  Fico cannot be PM from a hospital bed.

Certainly there will be significant fallout within Slovakia and knock on effects in neighbouring countries.

I hope he recovers without any serious side effects.

Not a fan of any political figure but I really dislike hearing about such violence.

The perp was in his 70s?

Makes sense to me, older people do not mess around. If they decide to go that far with anything I am sure they have made up their minds to give it their all no matter what happens afterwards.

Not much to lose and perhaps something to gain. If not for themselves then for other generations.

IDK, I would never sacrifice myself for another generation.

Once your gone, it is hardly likely the next generation will even know you existed let alone remember what you did.

Well he made through the night at least, but still in a critical condition. We still unclear on the reason for the attack. But the 71 year male is still being questioned by the police. Not terror related but politically motivated we are being told.

It's a bit ironic that he only said the other week that politicians were in danger of being stabbed or shot.

Heard the perp was a writer.

I thought the pen was mightier then the sword.

Shooting suspect believed to be 71-year-old former security guard

The suspect alleged to have shot Robert Fico four or five times as the Slovak prime minister left a government meeting is believed to be a 71-year-old former security guard.

Thomas Vernicek, a reporter for Slovak news channel TA3, told Sky News that the man was part of a crowd of people who approached Mr Fico after he left the House of Culture in the town of Handlova.

He said the suspect addressed Mr Fico as Robo - a shortened version of Robert - before proceeding to shoot him multiple times.

The suspect was then pinned to the ground by police while the prime minister's security guards rushed Mr Fico to his car.

"We know the attacker was a senior former security guard, but that is all we know right now," Mr Vernicek said.

He said the suspect's motivations remain unknown, but there was a planned rally in Slovakia tonight to protest the controversial overhaul of the country's radio and TV services.

That protest has now been cancelled by its organisers.

At last some concrete topics, not anythying else. I do not like this topic, but that is another matter.

    At last some concrete topics, not anythying else. I do not like this topic, but that is another matter.        -@cdw057

He's apparently out of danger.   

The interesting part will be what it will mean in a reshuffle of political power in Slovakia. 

Fico might not come back.   Not for many months.

Obviously Slovakia is of serious interest being a border country and there being a significant Hungarian diaspora.

BTW, I saw the video and it seemed like the shooter fired maybe 5 times at point blank range and hit him a number of times.  Amazing Fico survived it.

He underwent a 5 hour operation.

    He underwent a 5 hour operation.
   

    -@SimCityAT

Yes, I think one round hit a joint, the others went into his abdomen.   

Be amazing if they missed vital organs or perhaps it was of low calibre/velocity 

Security apparatus made more than a few mistakes.

Usually events are better organised even for far lesser ranking politicians.

My bet that there will be a reorganisation in the Slovak intelligence services.

    Security apparatus made more than a few mistakes.
Usually events are better organised even for far lesser ranking politicians.
My bet that there will be a reorganisation in the Slovak intelligence services.
   

    -@sjbabilon5

I saw an analysis by a close protection expert on CNN or MSNBC.   There were a lot of mistakes.   Looks like poor training around risk.  Fico himself said someone might take a pop at him.  And of course, all the other politicians around here might have similar threats against them.  I believe Slovak politics is even more divisive than here.