In Slovakia, more than 250 psychologists and psychiatrists have called on Prime Minister Robert Fico to resign.. They are concerned about the politician's behavior and public appearances.

In their open letter, professionals in the field of psychiatry and psychology addressed Fico as citizens of Slovakia, speaking about the threat to democracy in the state and its international status. In particular, they drew attention to the fact that the prime minister does not shy away from attacks on the families of opposition representatives.

“Your political behavior is characterized by an increase in the power-authoritarian style, manipulation of facts, lies, slander and attacks on political opponents, journalists and ordinary citizens who disagree with your policies,” the letter says.

Psychiatrists and psychologists noted that Fico’s political behavior polarizes society and affects its emotional state, causing disappointment and dissatisfaction among a large part of the Slovak population.

“More and more people are thinking about leaving the country not only for work or study, but also for personal reasons. They do not want to live in a country where public policy is characterized by such neglect, mockery and aggression,"

Even more signatories of the letter are horrified by Fico’s foreign policy initiatives, which often directly contradict the policies of the EU and NATO, of which Slovakia is a member.. And in Russia’s war against Ukraine, he does not clearly express who is the brutal aggressor and who is the victim who is defending himself.

“You speak disparagingly about the democratically elected president of Ukraine, who has been waging an unequal war with the occupiers for three years. You will not hesitate to go to Moscow and shake hands with the Russian president, who bears political and moral responsibility for the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Not only military, but also civilians, including children, and their abduction. Russia is destroying the country's infrastructure, attacking civilian homes, schools, hospitals and theaters.

You also encourage fellow party members and coalition partners to take similar compliant steps towards Russian imperialism,” experts note.

They noted that it appears that Fico's aggressiveness and emotional explosiveness in public speeches have become more noticeable since the assassination attempt. Psychiatrists condemned this act as a manifestation of political violence. "

“We hope for your ability for self-analysis and the opportunity to adjust your political behavior, including considering the possibility of leaving high politics,” concluded the signatories of the letter.