Growing health issues from past assassination attempt disrupt Slovak PM's official schedule

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had to cancel several appointments in recent days due to his deteriorating health condition, most likely related to injuries sustained during a 2024 assassination attempt.

Fico declined to participate in International Labour Day celebrations in Slovakia on May 1, Caliber.Az reports citing Slovak media outlets.

He was forced to cancel a scheduled visit to a bread factory, where he was expected to join the staff by working a night shift in honouring the holiday. The prime minister was also invited to speak at the UK's Oxford University but this event also had to be postponed. The article recalls an earlier incident of similar nature, when the Slovak head of state was unable to participate in a TV program with former Czech President Miloš Zeman, who was visiting Slovakia at the time.

While official sources have not provided any information on the reasons for these changes in the Prime Minister's schedule, media reports suggest that they have been brought upon by the serious health problems that Fico has been suffering from after the assassination attempt, which the prime minister has repeatedly talked about himself. On April 10, Fico informed the public that he would need to undergo additional surgical procedures.

The assassination attempt on Fico took place on May 15, 2024, in the town of Handlová in western Slovakia. He was shot by a retired writer, who remains in custody pending trial. The Prime Minister sustained multiple injuries and underwent a series of surgeries. He was able to return to his official duties in July of the same year.

By Nazrin Sadigova