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Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and wounded on Wednesday, is a seasoned politician known for his controversial stance. The populist leader made a stunning comeback last October, securing his third term after running a campaign that criticised the West for supporting Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.

However, his decades-long career has now been marked by an episode of violence. He is currently in a life-threatening condition in hospital after being shot multiple times in an assassination attempt.

Fico’s party secured victory in the 2023 parliamentary elections with a platform advocating pro-Russian and anti-American sentiments. This marked his third term in office, establishing him as the longest-serving head of government in Slovakia’s history, reported The Associated Press.

During his campaign for a third term, Fico pledged to cease Slovakia’s military support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, alleging the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) and the United States’ involvement in provoking Moscow’s actions.

Moreover, he has taken aim at Slovakia’s president, Zuzana Caputova, branding her a “US puppet.”