Despite numerous controversies, Robert Fico has managed to stay at the top of Slovakian politics thanks to his capacity to reinvent himself.
Following a government conference in a small town, there was an attempt on his life, and now surgeons are fighting to save him.
2018 saw his most recent fall from popularity as he was forced to retire due to widespread protests following the death of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée.
He turned to face one of his numerous political rivals, then-president Andrej Kiska, and pledged to get back into politics.
“I will remain here. Remain calm,” he added.
He was correct, too.
Fico, initially taken aback by his abrupt downfall and quickly ousted as prime minister by his party’s protégé Peter Pellegrini, seemed destined for a career in politics.
