Democracy in the Crosshairs
A Conversation about the Attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico and the Situation Afterwards
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
The assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico hit the country at a turbulent time. During the 2023 election campaign, Fico divided the country with populist friend-foe rhetoric and did not mitigate this after his election victory. The parties in his government indulge in anti-Western stereotypes and verbally pander to Russia. In foreign policy, however, much remains rhetoric. Domestic policy is different: Fico was on the way to establishing an illiberal regime based on the Hungarian model. It is to be feared that the politicians in the governing coalition will use the attack to push ahead with these plans all the more.
(Osteuropa 5/2024, pp. 33–37)