02:21Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said the condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico was moving 'closer to a positive prognosis' after surgery while speaking to journalists in Banska Bystrica on Saturday.
"Yesterday's surgery was successful. This is the reason why his condition is still stable. So this is very important for us. And not any predictions," Kalinak said.
"We are closer to a positive prognosis of his health condition,” he added. “Usually you need four days which are critical. So, you will see how the prognosis will be tomorrow, maybe Monday."
Kalinak also confirmed that he had spoken directly with Fico after he was hospitalised.
"Yes, yes, of course. That's basically how we communicate given the limited possibilities,” he said. “You must remember that such a serious injury is extremely debilitating, and the strain it puts on the body.”
Later, Slovak Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova provided a brief update on Fico’s condition following Friday’s surgical procedure.
“I can announce that this morning's council assessed that the prime minister's condition has been stabilised, nevertheless it remains serious,” Dolinkova explained. “Yesterday's operation, which lasted two hours, contributed to a positive prognosis for the development of the prime minister's health condition.”
On Wednesday evening, Fico was airlifted to hospital after being shot multiple times following a government meeting in Handlova. The alleged assailant was named in local media as 71-year-old Slovakian Juraj Cintula.
Initially, he was reported to be in a 'life-threatening condition', while on Thursday morning, government officials and the hospital in Banska Bystrica reported that he had 'stabilised' but the situation remained 'serious'.
On Wednesday, Slovak Minister of Interior Matej Sutaj Estok warned that the country was teetering on the brink of civil unrest and urged an immediate halt to 'hateful comments' on social media networks, citing early indications of a 'clear political motivation' behind the recent events.
The Fico government has proposed new laws concerning public broadcasting, NGOs, and corruption, sparking protests. Fico himself argued that the broadcasting reforms were necessary to safeguard 'the public's access to unbiased information'.
Fico, aged 59, was elected in September 2023 for his fourth term as PM. 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 closer to a positive prognosis' - Slovakian Defence Minister speaks to press after 'successful surgery' for Fico
Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said the condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico was moving 'closer to a positive prognosis' after surgery while speaking to journalists in Banska Bystrica on Saturday.
"Yesterday's surgery was successful. This is the reason why his condition is still stable. So this is very important for us. And not any predictions," Kalinak said.
"We are closer to a positive prognosis of his health condition,” he added. “Usually you need four days which are critical. So, you will see how the prognosis will be tomorrow, maybe Monday."
Kalinak also confirmed that he had spoken directly with Fico after he was hospitalised.
"Yes, yes, of course. That's basically how we communicate given the limited possibilities,” he said. “You must remember that such a serious injury is extremely debilitating, and the strain it puts on the body.”
Later, Slovak Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova provided a brief update on Fico’s condition following Friday’s surgical procedure.
“I can announce that this morning's council assessed that the prime minister's condition has been stabilised, nevertheless it remains serious,” Dolinkova explained. “Yesterday's operation, which lasted two hours, contributed to a positive prognosis for the development of the prime minister's health condition.”
On Wednesday evening, Fico was airlifted to hospital after being shot multiple times following a government meeting in Handlova. The alleged assailant was named in local media as 71-year-old Slovakian Juraj Cintula.
Initially, he was reported to be in a 'life-threatening condition', while on Thursday morning, government officials and the hospital in Banska Bystrica reported that he had 'stabilised' but the situation remained 'serious'.
On Wednesday, Slovak Minister of Interior Matej Sutaj Estok warned that the country was teetering on the brink of civil unrest and urged an immediate halt to 'hateful comments' on social media networks, citing early indications of a 'clear political motivation' behind the recent events.
The Fico government has proposed new laws concerning public broadcasting, NGOs, and corruption, sparking protests. Fico himself argued that the broadcasting reforms were necessary to safeguard 'the public's access to unbiased information'.
Fico, aged 59, was elected in September 2023 for his fourth term as PM. 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.
Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said the condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico was moving 'closer to a positive prognosis' after surgery while speaking to journalists in Banska Bystrica on Saturday.
"Yesterday's surgery was successful. This is the reason why his condition is still stable. So this is very important for us. And not any predictions," Kalinak said.
"We are closer to a positive prognosis of his health condition,” he added. “Usually you need four days which are critical. So, you will see how the prognosis will be tomorrow, maybe Monday."
Kalinak also confirmed that he had spoken directly with Fico after he was hospitalised.
"Yes, yes, of course. That's basically how we communicate given the limited possibilities,” he said. “You must remember that such a serious injury is extremely debilitating, and the strain it puts on the body.”
Later, Slovak Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova provided a brief update on Fico’s condition following Friday’s surgical procedure.
“I can announce that this morning's council assessed that the prime minister's condition has been stabilised, nevertheless it remains serious,” Dolinkova explained. “Yesterday's operation, which lasted two hours, contributed to a positive prognosis for the development of the prime minister's health condition.”
On Wednesday evening, Fico was airlifted to hospital after being shot multiple times following a government meeting in Handlova. The alleged assailant was named in local media as 71-year-old Slovakian Juraj Cintula.
Initially, he was reported to be in a 'life-threatening condition', while on Thursday morning, government officials and the hospital in Banska Bystrica reported that he had 'stabilised' but the situation remained 'serious'.
On Wednesday, Slovak Minister of Interior Matej Sutaj Estok warned that the country was teetering on the brink of civil unrest and urged an immediate halt to 'hateful comments' on social media networks, citing early indications of a 'clear political motivation' behind the recent events.
The Fico government has proposed new laws concerning public broadcasting, NGOs, and corruption, sparking protests. Fico himself argued that the broadcasting reforms were necessary to safeguard 'the public's access to unbiased information'.
Fico, aged 59, was elected in September 2023 for his fourth term as PM. 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.