Although Europe hasn't seen a major assassination attempt against a head of government in decades, the attack comes as the continent is experiencing growing violence against politicians.

Slovakia, which boasts a population of 5.4 million, is politically deeply divided and parties often use harsh rhetoric to berate each other.

Despite these divides, almost all of Fico's opponents expressed their horror and shock at the assassination attempt.

Slovakia's outgoing president, Zuzana Caputova, who received death threats during her time in office and decided not to run for a second term, said the the country's political elite and public should renounce hatred and violence.

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For now, it remains unclear what motivated the shooter Juraj C. (who DW is not naming in full in line with German laws) to carry out the attack.

According to Slovakian media, the 71-year-old had pursued an unsuccessful career as a writer and poet and reportedly belonged to a right-wing writers' association. He had also apparently shared anti-migrant and anti-Roma content on social media in the past.

At the same time, he reportedly opposed Slovakia's right-wing nationalist governing coalition headed by Fico.

Slovakia has a long history of political and criminal violence. As such,........

© Deutsche Welle