Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, was exposed to a terrifying assassination attempt on Wednesday that put him in the ICU. The upsetting episode happened in the central Slovak town of Handlova following a cabinet meeting.

According to reports, Fico was the target of the attacker, who was a member of a small group that had gathered outside the cultural facility where the meeting was held, when he came out onto the street. The prime minister was seen on camera being quickly led into a car by his advisers, then driven to a nearby hospital and then moved to a large trauma center in Banska Bystrica. Fico was thankfully the only victim; no other injuries were mentioned.

In describing the attack as "politically motivated," Interior Minister Matźš Šutaj Eštok and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák underlined the seriousness of the issue. After a successful surgery, Fico's recovery was cautiously optimistic as predicted by Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Tomáš Taraba, who pointed out that the prime minister remained stable.

As Fico's condition improves, the alleged gunman has been taken into custody, and the authorities have pledged openness in the continuing probe. "Brutal and reckless" was how Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová described the attack on democracy.

The startling event has shocked the whole country and forced reflection on the polarizing political environment. Defense Minister Kaliňák called on people to stand together in the face of hardship and underlined the significance of battling hate speech.

Leaders from over the world have gathered to support Fico as the country struggles with an unprecedented attack on a public figure, denouncing the violence and expressing sympathy with Slovakia. Opposing such horrible deeds and promoting peace and stability, the worldwide community is one.