Slovakia's Fico appointed prime minister for fourth time
ReutersNOV 1 2023
Slovakian PM Fico Shot, in Stable Condition
Image copyright: Zuzana Gogova/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This horrifying news is part of a growing trend of political violence across the European political spectrum. From the shooting of the founder of Spain's right-wing Vox Party to the physical harassment of a German Green Party member, the intensifying social division is now playing out before our eyes. Extremist ideologies of all sorts must be quelled, or else more violence will occur.
Establishment-critical narrative
The incessant attacks on Fico, from EU officials making political threats to today's shooting, are coming from those who are against the prime minister due to his desire to break away from the West's stronghold and maintain peace with Russia. Many of those opposed to EU- and NATO-skeptics like Fico have fostered an environment that allowed this act of violence to unfold.