Zuzana Čaputová served one term as President of Slovakia and was the first woman to hold the office. She was elected in a context of heightened societal tension and strong public demand for institutional integrity, transparency, and democratic accountability. Throughout her presidency, she 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. Her leadership was characterised by a strong commitment to democratic institutions, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental rights.
During her time in office, President Čaputová played an active role in foreign affairs, 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 central to her public service, including advocacy for decarbonisation policies, sustainable energy transitions, and climate-neutral governance. Her leadership has been internationally recognised through several awards, including the Goldman Environmental Prize, the European Prize for Political Culture, and the Kaiser Otto Prize.
Since completing her presidential mandate in June 2024, Zuzana Čaputová has remained engaged internationally as a public speaker and participant in global leadership networks. She contributes to policy and public discussions on democracy, ethical leadership, and institutional resilience, and has served as a visiting fellow at Stanford University.
Club de Madrid looks forward to working with Zuzana Čaputová to continue advancing democratic governance, institutional integrity, and sustainable leadership worldwide.
