When a gunman shot Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico this week, shockwaves rippled through the Central European country.
Despite Fico himself having warned that the nation’s deep divisions made an assassination attempt possible, the event still sent shockwaves through Slovakia.
The country has long been split over its future direction: maintaining traditional ties with Moscow or embracing liberal values and aligning more closely with the West. This polarization has intensified recently, fueled by vitriolic rhetoric from politicians.
Since returning to power in September, Fico has faced large protests against his nationalist and EU-skeptic policies. Slovakia, which joined the EU and NATO in 2004, was a strong supporter of Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022.
However, Fico, seeking closer ties with Moscow, vowed to cease weapon supplies to Kyiv, alarming many Slovaks who envision a Western-aligned future.
Slovakia, part of Czechoslovakia behind the Iron Curtain, gained independence in 1993 after the Velvet Revolution ended communist rule. Grigorij Meseznikov, head of the Institute for Public Affairs in Bratislava, attributes the current hostilities to politicians’ aggressive communication strategies. He notes that societal polarization is exacerbated by politicians’ confrontational styles.
Fico’s policies, such as plans to overhaul the penal system and take control of Slovakia’s public broadcaster, have sparked significant opposition. Last month, he predicted rising tensions could lead to political murders, blaming the media and referring to journalists and liberal politicians as “rats.”
Tensions predate Fico’s tenure, with the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine further polarizing the nation. Government officials have criticized opponents of Fico’s policies, accusing them of servility to a Western liberal order led by the EU and the US.
Some Slovaks, like 27-year-old software engineer Jan Lipnican, believe societal division stems from populists and progressives refusing to work together. Zuzana Izakova, a resident of Bratislava, calls for self-reflection from both sides to reduce hostility.
Fico’s political allies blame opponents for the attack, with Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok stating the suspect was radicalized by liberal politicians and the media. Estok warned of potential civil war, describing the attack as confirmation of escalating tensions.
Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova emphasized the collective responsibility for societal tensions, urging leaders to avoid fostering hatred. However, some, like Marian Kulich from Bratislava, directly blame Fico’s divisive narratives and the influence of Russian propaganda for the country’s deepening divisions.
