Zuzana Čaputová is a former President of the Slovak Republic. She served one term in office from 2019 to 2024 and was the first woman to hold the presidency. She was elected at a time of heightened societal tension and public demand for institutional integrity, transparency, and democratic accountability.
Throughout her tenure as President, Zuzana Čaputová exercised her constitutional mandate during a period marked by multiple overlapping crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, the resulting energy and economic challenges, and prolonged domestic political instability. She consistently emphasised the protection of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental rights, while maintaining a restrained and institutionally grounded leadership style.
During her presidency, she played an active role in foreign affairs, particularly in strengthening Slovakia’s pro-European orientation, supporting Ukraine, and contributing to discussions on democratic resilience within the European Union and transatlantic partnerships. Environmental responsibility and climate action were integral to her domestic and international engagement, including support for decarbonisation policies, sustainable energy transitions, and climate-neutral public governance.
Her leadership was internationally recognised through multiple awards and honours, including the Goldman Environmental Prize, the European Prize for Political Culture, and the Kaiser Otto Prize, reflecting her contribution to democracy, environmental protection, and public service. She completed her presidential mandate in June 2024. She served as a visiting fellow at Stanford University.
Zuzana Čaputová engages internationally as a public speaker and member of global leadership networks. She contributes to policy and public discussions on democracy, leadership ethics, and institutional resilience.
