Anger, anxiety, acrimony: Slovaks weigh what led to Fico shooting
Slovak opposition party leader Michal Simecka, his wife, and child received death threats following an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. The shooting highlighted deep political divides and toxic debate in Slovakia, with politicians calling for tolerance. Fico’s rapid policy changes raised concerns over the rule of law, leading to increased tensions and anxiety among the population. The suspect in the shooting targeted government policies on Ukraine, corruption, and public media reforms. Anxiety has grown in Slovakia since the parliamentary election campaign, with President Zuzana Caputova receiving death threats. The upcoming European elections have added to the unease, reflecting a global trend of increasing aggression in politics.