Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has survived an assassination attempt, according to Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak. While Fico's life is no longer in immediate danger, he continues to require intensive care, Kalinak revealed during a press conference on Sunday.

The shocking incident occurred last week when Fico was shot multiple times while greeting supporters following a government meeting in Handlova, a central town in Slovakia. Government officials had initially stated that the Prime Minister's life was in peril. However, Fico underwent a five-hour operation on the same day and a subsequent procedure on Friday at a hospital in Banska Bystrica, a central city in Slovakia.

"We can consider his condition stable with a positive prognosis," stated Kalinak outside the hospital. He added that Fico will remain in Banska Bystrica for the foreseeable future. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed some relief, stating, "We all feel a bit more relaxed now."

The suspected gunman, identified as a 71-year-old poet and former security guard, has been charged with premeditated attempted murder and has been ordered to be held in custody following a hearing on Saturday, as reported by Slovak media. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok stated that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect acted alone or had assistance.

This incident marks the first significant assassination attempt on a European political leader in over two decades. It has raised concerns about the state of polarized politics in Slovakia, a central European country with a population of 5.4 million people.

Robert Fico, 59, assumed office in October after his centrist populist Smer party won the general elections. As the Prime Minister, he has focused on promoting peace between Russia and Ukraine while halting military aid to Kyiv, a stance that has angered some individuals, including the alleged assailant.

Fico leads a coalition government comprising of Smer, the centrist HLAS party, and the small nationalist SNS party. Deputy Prime Minister Kalinak assured that the government will continue to function according to Fico's outlined program.

In an effort to ease political tensions following the attack, outgoing Slovak President Zuzana Caputova and Fico's ally and successor, Peter Pellegrini, proposed a temporary suspension of campaigning for the European Parliament elections scheduled for June. Several parties have now halted their campaigns in response to this request.

As the nation waits for further updates on the Prime Minister's condition, Slovakia remains on high alert, grappling with the consequences of this alarming attack on its political leader.