Fico cancels Belgrade visit, doctors bar him from flying — his speech will be read at the Arena

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico will not travel to Belgrade to attend the large pre-election rally of the “Aleksandar Vučić – Ujedinjena Srbija” list being held tonight at the Belgrade Arena, the Serbian portal Nova.rs reports, citing a Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) announcement published today, 3 October 2026, at 17:28. According to the announcement, his personal doctor has not allowed him to travel by plane, as his health condition, a consequence of the 2024 assassination attempt, still does not permit flying.

Earlier, Fico had said he was battling a viral infection and hoped to recover in time to arrive in Belgrade. Despite his physical absence, he has asked that the speech prepared for the rally be read out to those present at the Arena.

In the prepared speech, as Nova.rs reports, Fico addresses citizens not only as prime minister, but “as Robert Fico, a friend to all of you and, of course, a friend of Aleksandar Vučić”. He assesses that Serbia’s economy “is moving in giant strides, stronger than many in Europe”, and mentions the roads, factories, hospitals and schools built since 2012.

Fico supports Vučić because, he says, Vučić leads an independent policy and “does not allow Serbia to be governed by anyone from the world, however powerful they may be”. He also stressed that Slovakia will continue to respect Serbia’s territorial integrity: “When it comes to Kosovo, we will never let you down”.

Context: a day earlier Vučić had announced Fico as the special guest of the rally — news that 24-ore.com published today at midday — and the cancellation of the visit is today’s new development. The rally began at 18:00, while Vučić is expected to present the list’s programme.