Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in serious but stable condition after an assassination attempt.

The alleged assailant, a 71-year-old retiree, is charged with premeditated murder and is believed to have acted alone with political motives.

The attack underscores Slovakia's deep political divisions, intensified by Covid-19 and the Ukraine conflict.

The suspect's actions have become a focal point for political polarization, with opposing sides casting him in starkly different lights.

Government officials have criticized the media for exacerbating political tensions and potentially inciting such violence.

Fico's pro-Russia stance has been a contentious issue, contributing to protests and further division within the country.

The incident adds to a concerning global trend of political violence, including high-profile figures such as Shinzo Abe, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and David Amess.

Slovakia faces a period of uncertainty as it deals with the ramifications of this assassination attempt and heightened political discord.