Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico “will survive” after being shot multiple times on Wednesday while greeting supporters.
The populist government leader was attacked while in Handlova, 85 miles north of Bratislava, and five shots were fired.
Mr Fico was rushed to hospital and deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC on Wednesday morning that he would pull through.
"I guess in the end he will survive,” Mr Taraba said, adding: "He's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment."
A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the assassination attempt.
The events have led to an outpouring of condemnation against violence.
Former Slovak prime minister and current president Zuzana Caputova said: "A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we've been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let's stop it."
In Slovakia, the president is the head of state but this is a largely ceremonial role and it is the PM that drives legislation.
Who is Robert Fico?
The 59-year-old was a communist party member in the 1980s but in 1999 became chairman of the Smer (Direction) party. He has been a pivotal figure ever since.
He and Smer have most often been described as left-populist, though he has also been compared to right-wing politicians like the nationalist prime minister of neighbouring Hungary, Viktor Orbán.
He is married to wife Svetlana and they have one child.
What were his roles before PM?
Mr Fico has never been far from power and served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and then from 2012 to 2018.
He served in opposition for five years but last year won a third time to become the longest-serving head of government in the history of Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member.
Why have some of his policies been controversial?
Mr Fico was elected on a pro-Russian and an anti-American platform.
Part of this has seen him bring an end to his country providing Ukraine with military support as it battles Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The immediate halting of arms deliveries led to thousands taking to the streets to rally against the pro-Russia policies.
But he has also come under fire for wanting to change the penal code to eliminate an anti-graft prosecutor and take control of the media.
