Robert Ficos nominated Brussels, NATO

Consequences of Attack on Slovak Prime Minister May Be Unpredictable

Europe is shocked, but above all, it is concerned about the shadow of Moscow and Beijing that extends over the continent.

Because the consequences of the attack on the Slovak prime minister may be unpredictable. Because the situation that could be created less than a month before European elections can become dangerous. Because it can be exploited by Russian and Chinese propaganda.

An attack on a political and governmental leader has not taken place for decades and raises tension on the Old Continent to a level never achieved in recent years.

It is no coincidence that immediately after the news of serious injury, the secret services of the entire Union went into action to help Slovak colleagues.

And NATO also takes an informal part in monitoring. Beyond the investigation to find out who or what pushed the attacker, which, however, doubts and suspicions are emerging alerts are focusing on how Putin and Xi will exploit Fico's propagandically by increasing the pressure and triggering a further leap into quality. And the amount of disinfectant.

Moreover, yesterday after last days' alarms, which also warned of the possibility of Russian sabotaged real operations against things or people, the EU underlined the danger of a growing activity of false news aimed at delegateing and creating confusion in the European Democrats process. Therefore, an episode of this type is the perfect fuel to destabilise and break the trust of citizens and voters. In short, a way to weaken the image of the European Union even in terms of support offered to Ukraine.

And it's probably not a coincidence that only yesterday was a new sanction confirmed against four so-called Russian intelligence organs, which operate with a view to intervention in Union democratic life.

Therefore, attention focuses precisely on possible exploitation rather than on the generation of attack. According to some first reconstruction by some European intelligence, in fact, no outside hand could be identified in organizing the attack. In the manner that the Kremlin usually uses, the man who shot would have been dead and would not have allowed it to end alive in the hands of the police. No matter the man's old age. It is true that other allegations have been analysed by the European 007s.

For example: How did the escort allow at least four bullets to explode before it interfered? And how can an untrained man hit the stomach, the body part that's supposed to be protected by the bulletproof vest?

Despite numerous doubts, however, the alarm has focused right now on the consequences of Europe and the possible interventions of Russia and China.

The fear that shines with many statements is clear.

“strongly wanted the cowardly attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leeyen, have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good”.

“NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. “Dhuna ʹ echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz must have no place in European politics”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also condemned the attack. And Vatican Secretary of State Pieter Parolin did not hide his concern: “It seems there is no more limit”. Finally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who shares a line of proximity with the Kremlin with Fico, said he was worried. But fears that the pro-Moscow front will now expand -- less than a month before the vote -- risks becoming the true seal of the election campaign. The first point on the agenda of the next new European summits starting with the Commission's Headship./ La Repubblica