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Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, a left-wing populist leader, has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his recent election victory. During a press conference, Fico praised the outcome, describing it as a clear defeat for liberal and progressive ideologies.

Fico, who survived an attack earlier this year, drew parallels between his experience and the recent incident involving Trump. He expressed admiration for Trump’s ability to pursue his own agenda, contrasting it with the constraints faced by European Union member states.

The Slovak leader criticized the media and polling organizations, accusing them of attempting to manipulate public opinion during the election campaign. He warned Slovak citizens to be wary of similar tactics, stating, “Never trust the media and polls.”

Fico also addressed the Ukraine war, a key policy issue for his government. He anticipates that Trump will follow Slovakia’s lead in reducing aid to Ukraine, citing the president-elect’s campaign promise to swiftly end the conflict. Fico believes this shift will likely put an end to discussions about allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia.

The Prime Minister’s stance on the Ukraine war has had personal consequences. In May, he was injured by Juraj Cintula, a left-wing activist who cited opposition to Fico’s Ukraine policy as his motivation. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Fico recovered after undergoing emergency surgery.

Months later, when Trump was involved in an incident, Fico drew comparisons to his own experience. He blamed hostile media coverage for creating an environment that could motivate such actions, suggesting that when political opponents cannot defeat their adversaries democratically, they resort to illegal means or provoke others to attempt harmful acts.

Fico’s comments highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding political discourse, media influence, and international relations in the wake of Trump’s election victory.