Slovakia PM lashes out at opponents in first address since shooting

“THERE WILL BE MORE VICTIMS”

Fico said in the video posted on Wednesday that “if everything goes as planned, I could gradually return to work at the turn of June and July”.

But most of the 14-minute message was devoted to a robust defence of his views and accusations against political opponents, critical media and non-governmental organisations.

“The opposition was unable to assess… where their aggressive and hateful politics has led a section of society and it was only a matter of time before a tragedy would occur.

“If it continues as it is now, the horror of May 15 … will continue and there will be more victims. I don’t doubt it, not for a second,” he said.

Fico came to power most recently following elections last year and previously headed governments in 2006-10 and 2012-18.

He was forced to resign in 2018 after an investigative journalist’s murder exposed high-level corruption and sparked anti-government sentiment.

Since returning to office last October, Fico has made a string of remarks that have soured ties between Slovakia and neighbouring Ukraine.

He has questioned Ukraine’s sovereignty and called for a compromise with Russia, which invaded in 2022.

After he was elected, Slovakia stopped sending weapons to Ukraine.

He also sparked mass protests with controversial changes, including a media law that critics say will undermine the impartiality of public television and radio.