Fico assassination attempt exposes risks for politicians in a polarized Europe

The horrific scenes in Slovakia following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico are a stark and brutal reminder of the dangers facing those who seek public office. Fico, a pro-Russia left-wing populist, was recovering Thursday after being shot multiple times in the stomach. Government ministers closely aligned with the prime minister quickly called the shooting “politically motivated,” pointing the finger of blame for the toxic political atmosphere at the opposition and the media. But Fico himself has been …