Zuzana Caputova during the first round of elections in March. She ran on a pro-European and anticorruption platform. (Jakub Gavlak/EPA, via Shutterstock)

Zuzana Caputova: Slovakia’s First Female President Sworn In

Slovakia’s first female president in history had just sworn in on Saturday (6/15). Zuzana Caputova is a 45 years-old environmental lawyer and community activist who was widely known in the European country of 5.4 million people even before she launched her presidential bid while running on a slogan ‘Stand up to evil’. She won 58% of the vote in March ballot after voters’ frustration about the governing coalition due to the last year’s murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée that was deeply shaken Slovakia.

Kuciak was gunned down in his home that was fathomed in connection with his story preparation of Slovakian politicians and local businessmen on ties with the Italian Mafia. Caputova took part in the protest that forcing then-Prime Minister Robert Fico to resign. In her swearing ceremony, Caputova was calling for any state officials who are incapable to stand up to corruption to lose their jobs and also pledged to make a justice system that works for everyone.

The newly female president is known for her controversial supports to minority rights like gay rights, including the adoption of children by same-sex couples. However, she is able to carry out the support and stance in a way that not invite threats and offering a model for others instead in a country that still deeply conservative.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/slovakia-swears-in-first-woman-president-11630568