The news last week of the shooting of Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, sent shockwaves through European politics.
Thankfully it appears that Fico – a divisive figure for many who has voiced sympathy for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine among other controversial views – will survive the assassination attempt, despite having been seriously injured.
While few details have emerged about the alleged gunman and his motivations, in this week’s big story we look at what the attack revealed about Slovakia’s polarised society, the growing threat of violence to politicians in Europe and whether far-right parties will seek to make political mileage from the shooting in the forthcoming EU elections.
“My desire was to create something stark and arresting while referencing the violence in a non-specific way,” says illustrator Pete Reynolds, on his work for this week’s cover. “The image works as a generic metaphor for the violence but also as an alarm call to the world.”
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
1
Spotlight | After Raisi’s death, what next for Iran?
In the light of a fatal helicopter crash involving the country’s president and foreign minister, Patrick Wintour and Peter Beaumont consider the road ahead for the Islamic republic.
2
Science | Tackling the menopause
For many women the menopause can be a challenging time of life. But at last, says Kate Muir, we have the science and knowledge to resolve many of the surrounding mental and physical health issues.
3
Features | The enforcer
Amit Shah is the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s trusted confidant and consigliere. As the outcome of elections nears, Atul Dev profiles the country’s second most powerful man.
4
Opinion | The internet’s race to the bottom
Interconnected technology was meant to bridge worlds but instead it is turning us into juveniles, argues Martha Gill.
5
Culture | Man of steel
The singer-songwriter Richard Hawley is renowned for his searing ballads about love, life and belonging. The Observer’s Tim Lewis spent a day with him in his treasured home city of Sheffield.
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What else we’ve been reading
Viv Groskop harks back to being 21 in the 90s and recalls the summer of lust she spent following the “crazy guys” in a Ukrainian punk band – in particular the lead guitarist. She wishes she had embraced the label “groupie” more, and skips entertainingly from Spinal Tap and Almost Famous to Anita Pallenberg and Bebe Buell to explore an era that grows more uncomfortable the further we get from it. Groskop’s memories are not wholly negative, but as she puts it: “The party is fun until someone turns the lights on.” Anthony Naughton, assistant editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | Could Netanyahu really be arrested for war crimes?
• Video | Can journalism survive the Taliban? – documentary
• Gallery | Mesmerising microbes: bacteria as you’ve never seen them before
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