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Suspect charged with attempted murder of Slovak PM Fico

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A 71-year-old man from Levice has been implicated in the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was severely injured in a shooting incident. The suspect, though not officially named, has been widely identified by Slovak reports. If convicted, he could potentially face life imprisonment.

The assailant acted alone, according to Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, who stated that the suspect had participated in anti-government protests and was discontented with the outcome of the recent presidential election, won by Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico.

In the brazen daylight attack, Fico was shot five times at close range, sustaining serious injuries to his stomach and arm. His security detail was caught off guard, and Fico was swiftly taken to a hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the severity of his condition, Fico’s status has stabilized, though he remains in intensive care.

The alleged perpetrator is described as a writer and political activist, with a circulated video purportedly featuring him expressing grievances against the government’s policies, particularly regarding state media. However, the authenticity of the video and its connection to the detained suspect remain unverified.

The shooting has been condemned by Slovak politicians as an assault on democracy, prompting calls for unity and calm. Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova urged political leaders to convene and address the escalating tensions, while President-elect Peter Pellegrini called for a suspension of campaigning ahead of European Parliament elections.

The attack occurred amid parliamentary discussions concerning the government’s proposal to dissolve Slovakia’s public broadcaster RTVS, a move that has sparked widespread public protests in recent weeks. Some officials have attributed the shooting to heightened political rhetoric and hostility perpetuated by both media and opposition parties.

In response to the incident, Deputy Prime Minister Taraba and Interior Minister Estok criticized the opposition and media for allegedly fueling animosity, with concerns raised about the safety of journalists and NGOs in Slovakia.

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Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Malta say they are ready to recognise the State of Palestine

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Leaders from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta have declared their readiness to acknowledge the State of Palestine as a crucial step towards achieving peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region. During a meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Brussels, they emphasized their willingness to recognize Palestine when it could contribute positively to the situation. They stressed the necessity of a two-state solution, with both Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting peacefully.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed optimism about garnering political support for Palestine at the United Nations, suggesting that conditions for establishing a Palestinian government could be ripe in the near future. Currently, nine out of the EU’s 27 member states recognize Palestine based on the 1967 borders. Belgium, represented at the meeting, also supports Palestinian statehood but may be constrained from signing such declarations due to its presidency of the Council of the EU.

While the EU backs the two-state solution and provides significant aid to Palestinians, it has not unanimously supported recognizing a Palestinian state. Spain and Ireland have been vocal advocates for recognizing Palestine, particularly following the recent conflict in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the importance of unified action among EU countries rather than unilateral recognition. He stressed the need for careful timing to ensure a lasting peace.

The political diversity of the leaders involved suggests broad consensus on the necessity of recognizing Palestine for future peace efforts. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also confirmed ongoing discussions among member states regarding formal recognition of Palestine to facilitate more equitable negotiations post-conflict.

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Greek conservative party aims for a majority win in upcoming election led by Mitsotakis

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In Greece, conservative ex-Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is seeking a strong majority as voters head to the polls for the second time in a month. Mitsotakis emerged victorious in May’s election and called for new elections in order to govern without coalition partners.

Despite a recent migrant boat tragedy that claimed the lives of an estimated 500 people, the incident has had minimal impact on the election campaign. Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party secured a significant 20-point lead over the center-left Syriza party, led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and he is confident of a repeat victory that would grant him a second term. Voting will continue until 19:00 (16:00 GMT).

Mitsotakis argues that a stable government requires a majority of more than 150 seats in the 300-seat parliament. Notably, the winning party in this election will be awarded between 20 and 50 bonus seats, potentially bolstering Mitsotakis’s mandate. Recognized for stabilizing and fostering growth in the Greek economy following a severe debt crisis and multiple bailouts, Mitsotakis has established a resilient image despite facing various crises over the past year.

Tsipras faces a challenging task in this election, with Mitsotakis focusing on his accomplishments and promising lower taxes and improved public health. The two leaders diverged in their responses to the recent migrant boat sinking, with Mitsotakis defending the coastguard and condemning people smugglers, while Tsipras raised concerns and highlighted his government’s previous focus on preserving human life during the 2015 European migrant crisis.

Greek voters’ views on migration have shifted toward stricter and more conservative policies since the 2020 migration crisis on the Evros River, which reinforced perceptions of migration as an external threat to national sovereignty. Additionally, Mitsotakis benefits from the fragmentation of the Greek left, with the Socialists now the third political force in Greece, making it unlikely for left-of-center parties to form a coalition with the conservatives.

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