Slovak PM Robert Fico Reemerges, Criticizes Liberal Rivals

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first public appearance since an assassination attempt, criticizing liberal political opponents and praising Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán. Recovering from gunshot wounds, Fico spoke against liberal ideologies and EU sanctions on Russia, prompting his critics to fear Slovakia's shift away from a pro-Western stance.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made a dramatic return to the public eye on Friday, marking his first appearance since surviving an assassination attempt.

A recovering Fico took the stage amid applause, targeting his liberal opponents and lauding Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's diplomacy with Kyiv and Moscow.

Fico's divisive remarks and his stance against EU sanctions on Russia have ignited fears about Slovakia potentially diverging from its pro-Western path.