Slovak Opposition MP Claims Physical Attack After Breaking With Ruling Coalition

Ján Ferenčák, a member of parliament expelled from the ruling Hlas party, said he was physically attacked by an unknown assailant on Saturday who struck him in the face and knocked him to the ground before fleeing. Speaking on the JOJ24 Politics program on Sunday, Ferenčák described being "insulted with a blow to the head" and said he fell to the ground, suggesting the attack might have continued if he hadn't fallen. The MP suggested the assault was retaliation for his rebellion against the coalition government, saying he would reveal more about the background of Hlas party. Ferenčák indicated that criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding the attack. The incident comes after Ferenčák was expelled from Hlas, a social-democratic party that is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, following his opposition to government policies.