Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has made headlines after surviving an assassination attempt by an unknown gunman. Here’s a closer look at the man behind the headlines:

Robert Fico, aged 59, found himself in the line of fire when four shots were fired at him while he was meeting supporters outside the local House of Culture. Struck in the stomach, he was swiftly rushed to the hospital, with his condition deemed critical.

Born into a working-class family, Fico’s journey into politics began after he obtained a law degree in 1986. He initially aligned himself with the ruling Communist party before transitioning to government law and eventually securing a seat in parliament. Notably, Fico represented Slovakia at the European Court for Human Rights.

Fico’s political career took off in 1999 when he founded the SMER-Social Democracy party as a counterforce to the center-right cabinet. He claimed victory in the 2006 elections, marking his first term as Prime Minister. Despite a brief hiatus from office between 2010 and 2012, Fico returned to power and remained in office until 2018.