The Prime Minister of Slovakia “will survive” after he was attacked on Wednesday. 

Robert Fico was shot five times at close range in the small town of Handlova.

Mr Fico was rushed to hospital where he spent several hours in surgery. 

Speaking to the BBC, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba said doctors were pleased with how the surgery had gone and "I guess that at the end he will survive".

Slovakian PM Robert Fico at an EU Summit in 2016. Image: Belga News Agency / Alamy Stock Photo

One suspect is in custody but police have yet to confirm their identity. 

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estoka has said he believes the attack was politically motivated and Taoiseach Simon Harris described it as a "shocking and vile attack on democracy". 

Main image: Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. Picture by: Alamy.com