Zuzana Čaputová becomes president

This is what the inauguration day looked like.

Zuzana Čaputová in front of the Presidential PalaceZuzana Čaputová in front of the Presidential Palace (Source: AP/TASR)

After five years, there is a change at the Presidential Palace. Zuzana Čaputová was officially appointed president on June 15, replacing Andrej Kiska.

The programme for the inauguration was prepared by several state institutions.

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Read also: What the new president thinks about Slovakia and its citizens Read more 

What the programme looked like

11:25 Presidential Palace

  • The departure of President Andrej Kiska
  • Parade of the Guard of Honour

11:45-12:30 Slovak Philharmonic

  • The ceremonial parliamentary session will start with Čaputová taking an oath. It will be attended by MPs, cabinet members, Slovak MEPs, ambassadors and other guests. After taking the oath, the president will give her inauguration speech, presenting her plans for the future.
Read the inauguration speech of the new president: Most of us want the best possible Slovakia Read more 

12:40-12:47 Hviezdoslavovo Square

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  • Parade of the Slovak Armed Forces in front of the historical Slovak National Museum building.

13:30-14:20 St Martin’s Cathedral

  • The president and her family will move through Panská Street, where she will greet people and then attend the Te Deum Mass, held by Bratislava Archbishop Stanislav Zvolenský.

14:30 Presidential Palace

  • The symbolical takeover of office from Andrej Kiska, followed by a parade of the Guard of Honour.

15:00-16:30 Presidential Palace

  • Ceremonial lunch with seniors from the whole of Slovakia, with the aim of highlighting the topic of care for the elderly.

17:00-17:20 Devín

  • Laying wreaths at the Gate of Freedom Memorial.

17:30 Ondrejský Cemetery

  • Laying flowers on the grave of the first Slovak president Michal Kováč.

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20:00 Slovak Philharmonic

  • Ceremonial reception

Traffic restrictions in place

The inauguration’s programme will also impact the traffic in Bratislava, the Interior Ministry informed.

The restrictions will particularly affect Jesenského and Mostová Street, and Ľ. Štúra Square. Access to the garages in the Carlton Hotel will only be possible from Jesenského Street. Moreover, the streets will be completely closed, including to public transport, at 11:15-11:45 and 12:30-13:00.

Panská Street will be closed from 8:00 to 14:00, including residents.

Staromestská Street will be closed from 12:30 to 15:00. The exit from SNP Bridge will be possible in the direction to Vajanského Embankment, and access to the bridge will be possible only from the embankment to Petržalka.

The traffic will be supervised by traffic police.

Read also: Čaputová has posted the names of six new advisors on Facebook Read more 

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Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


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