Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, was put in a “life-threatening” and “serious” condition after being shot multiple times on Wednesday while meeting supporters outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlová, about 100 miles (160km) north-east of the capital, Bratislava. Fico was conscious while being transported to the hospital, a hospital spokesperson said.
Deputy prime minister Tomáš Taraba told the BBC: “I guess in the end he will survive”. He added: “He’s not in a life-threatening situation at this moment.”. Earlier, Robert Kaliňák, Slovakia’s defence minister, said Fico was in an “extraordinarily serious” condition.
