Slovak PM Robert Fico 'fighting for his life' following surgery - minister - BBC News
Robert Fico was shot as he left a meeting in Handlova, central Slovakia - a suspect has been arrested.
There is so much we still don’t know.

But what is absolutely clear is how this attack - in broad daylight - has sent shockwaves across Slovakia, Europe and far beyond.

We live in a time of growing political polarisation where social media is being weaponised in all too many places.

And it’s now tragically clear that Slovakia was not just deeply polarised, but dangerously so.

Immediate reactions from many capitals have expressed concern for the prime minister’s health but have also described it as a shocking attack against democracy.

Prime Minister Fico is well known in Slovakia and across Europe - a veteran politician whose career spans three decades and the political spectrum. His populist party began on the left and has moved increasingly to the right. His positions have become more strident; anti-EU, against sending aid to Ukraine, against LGBTQ rights.

The shooting came on the day parliament began discussing his government’s proposal to abolish Slovakia’s public broadcaster and replace it with an institution opponents fear will suppress criticism towards him and his allies within the populist-nationalist coalition.

Political arguments are part of democracy - not assassination attempts.

Slovakia’s crisis has sent a chill down the political spine.

This ends our live coverage for now. For further updates click here.