Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico was fighting for his life on Wednesday after being shot five times in a “politically motivated attack”.
Matus Sutaj Estok, the country’s interior minister, said the attack on Mr Fico was an “attack on democracy” and that the political motivation of the attacker was “beyond all doubt”.
He added that the Government would do “everything in its power” to protect officials.
"Please calm down, let's not spread hate," he said.
Mr Fico had already spent 3.5 hours in surgery when officials held a press conference on Wednesday evening.
He was taken by helicopter to Banska Bystrica hospital for an “acute procedure” after the attack, a statement on his Facebook page said.
The incident took place in the town of Handlova, around 150 kilometres northeast of the capital Bratislava.
Robert Kaliňák, Slovakia’s defence minister, said that Mr Fico had been in an “extraordinarily serious” condition.
He told reporters: “Today is the saddest moment in the 31 years of history of Slovakia … An attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy. It is an attack on the state itself.”
He says the government will do everything in its power to investigate the "heinous" crime.
A suspect has been detained, according to local media.
News outlet Aktuality.sk reported the shooter was a 71-year-old man and cited his son as saying his father was the legal holder of a gun licence. It did not name either of the men.
"I have absolutely no idea what my father intended, what he planned, what happened," it quoted the shooter's son as saying.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked to hear this awful news” and “all our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family”.
US President Joe Biden said he was “alarmed” at the attack, adding: “We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist."
Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.
“I'm shocked,” Ms Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”
The incident took place in front of the local House of Culture, where Mr Fico arrived to meet with supporters. Police sealed off the scene.
A reporter for the daily newspaper Dennik N daily heard shooting and then saw rescuers carrying the premier to a car.
Romania’s prime minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Profoundly shocked by the news coming from Slovakia. I convey my most sincere thoughts to the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“Such extreme acts have no justification and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote: “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good.
“My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family.”
The shooting comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.
Slovakia's major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television.
"We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today's shooting of Premier Robert Fico," said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka.
The Russian ambassador to Slovakia also condemned the shooting.
"I strongly condemn this act of violence and express my conviction of the necessity of punishment for the perpetrators," Igor Bratchikov said in a letter to Fico that the Russian embassy shared on its Facebook page.
"At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension."
Mr Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakia's September 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message.
Critics worried Slovakia under Mr Fico would abandon the country's pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist prime minister Viktor Orban.
Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest over Mr Fico's policies.
