01:06Mandatory credit: TASR
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico admitted that the country was ‘very divided’ as he spoke in Bratislava on Saturday, marking his first public appearance since an attempt was made on his life in May.
"For reconciliation, for co-operation and for finding ways, how to agree on things, that are so important to this country, unfortunately, we are very, I repeat, very divided," he stated, speaking during an evening ceremony to mark the feast of St Cyril and Methodius, a public holiday in Slovakia.
Fico was shot multiple times following a government meeting in the town of Handlova on May 15. Speaking three weeks later, he had suggested he was targeted for having views on the Ukraine conflict which were at odds with the mainstream EU position, but said he felt he felt 'no hatred' towards his attacker.
His alleged assailant was identified as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, a former security guard and poet.
The 59-year-old PM was elected in September 2023 for his fourth term. He campaigned on a platform advocating an end to military aid for Ukraine, which put him at odds with Western leaders. He has opposed EU sanctions on Russia and the provision of arms to Kiev, advocating instead for the US and other parties to use their influence to negotiate a peace agreement.
'We are very divided' - Slovakia's Fico makes first public appearance since assassination attempt
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico admitted that the country was ‘very divided’ as he spoke in Bratislava on Saturday, marking his first public appearance since an attempt was made on his life in May.
"For reconciliation, for co-operation and for finding ways, how to agree on things, that are so important to this country, unfortunately, we are very, I repeat, very divided," he stated, speaking during an evening ceremony to mark the feast of St Cyril and Methodius, a public holiday in Slovakia.
Fico was shot multiple times following a government meeting in the town of Handlova on May 15. Speaking three weeks later, he had suggested he was targeted for having views on the Ukraine conflict which were at odds with the mainstream EU position, but said he felt he felt 'no hatred' towards his attacker.
His alleged assailant was identified as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, a former security guard and poet.
The 59-year-old PM was elected in September 2023 for his fourth term. He campaigned on a platform advocating an end to military aid for Ukraine, which put him at odds with Western leaders. He has opposed EU sanctions on Russia and the provision of arms to Kiev, advocating instead for the US and other parties to use their influence to negotiate a peace agreement.
Mandatory credit: TASR
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico admitted that the country was ‘very divided’ as he spoke in Bratislava on Saturday, marking his first public appearance since an attempt was made on his life in May.
"For reconciliation, for co-operation and for finding ways, how to agree on things, that are so important to this country, unfortunately, we are very, I repeat, very divided," he stated, speaking during an evening ceremony to mark the feast of St Cyril and Methodius, a public holiday in Slovakia.
Fico was shot multiple times following a government meeting in the town of Handlova on May 15. Speaking three weeks later, he had suggested he was targeted for having views on the Ukraine conflict which were at odds with the mainstream EU position, but said he felt he felt 'no hatred' towards his attacker.
His alleged assailant was identified as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, a former security guard and poet.
The 59-year-old PM was elected in September 2023 for his fourth term. He campaigned on a platform advocating an end to military aid for Ukraine, which put him at odds with Western leaders. He has opposed EU sanctions on Russia and the provision of arms to Kiev, advocating instead for the US and other parties to use their influence to negotiate a peace agreement.