President Čaputová: Slovakia, may you have more peaceful times, wise leadership, and greater humanity

President Čaputová's final address on June 14, 2024 (5 photos)

Dear citizens, guests and those present,

Tomorrow marks the end of my five-year presidential term. On this occasion, I would like to address you for the last time as President of the Slovak Republic.

We have met on various occasions, in different places, and in different corners of our homeland.

Those of you here are representatives of various parts of our society – local government, civil society, charity, education, culture and arts, and minorities. Among you are holders of the highest state honours, successful scientists, athletes, artists, and teachers.

You represent a diverse Slovakia, the Slovakia I have had the opportunity to get to know – wise, solidarity-driven, active, competent, mature, and humane.

When I took office five years ago, none of us could have known the challenges we would face: that two of the five years of my mandate would be overshadowed by a global pandemic, that we would experience military aggression in our region, that we would face an energy crisis and unprecedented price rises.

I did not expect that during my five years in office we would see five different governments and that the political situation would necessitate such an exceptional step as the appointment of a technocratic government.

Nevertheless, after five years in office, I leave with irreplaceable experiences, with the understanding that Slovakia's potential is greater than we perceive it to be today under the weight of numerous challenging developments and an adverse social atmosphere, and with the conviction that the most valuable of Slovakia’s assets is all of you, the people, all of you who strive to make our country a better place to live.

This joint effort of ours has a chance to succeed. I believe in it because I believe in Slovakia. And I am convinced that Slovakia can believe in itself.

When I became president five years ago, in my inaugural address I said that I offer my hands, heart, and mind in service to all of you.

I aimed to be a voice for those whose voices are not heard. In line with this commitment, as well as the normal exercising of powers, I sought to address the issue of domestic violence and its victims, predominantly women and children.

I endeavoured to improve the social environment for seniors and strengthen their long-term care, and to provide targeted assistance to those facing poverty.

My efforts also extended to minorities – to ensure that their differences do not lead to different treatment or discrimination, but that we perceive them as enriching our society. Because diversity, when we make an effort to understand it, enriches us.

I sought to help young people who, due to the uncertainty associated with the pandemic, found themselves in challenging psychological situations, and to de-stigmatise the issue of mental health.

Thanks to cooperation with the governments that served here, many initiatives were successfully promoted. Among these were the establishment of intervention centres for victims of domestic violence in every regional capital, and an increase in benefits for people whose incomes did not cover essential living costs.

I could continue with the hundreds of visits to our regions, a list of appointed state officials, dozens of pardons, numerous foreign trips, business delegations, and investments obtained, as well as new jobs created for Slovakia.

I considered the protection of constitutionalism important. I assessed and signed hundreds of laws, and when necessary, exercised the right to veto them or requested the Constitutional Court assess their compliance with the constitution. In most cases, the Constitutional Court confirmed the relevance of our arguments. I consider this a significant contribution to building the standards of a rule of law.

The protection of the environment and climate was also a significant chapter of my agenda, and my team and I endeavoured to set a positive example. Over the past five years, the Presidential Office has implemented numerous measures contributing to climate protection, energy savings, and, ultimately, public resources.

Through the Presidential Green Seal project we motivated other institutions to join our collective effort. We educated young people and created a group of future climate leaders at our Climate Academy. All these projects have inspired several presidential offices abroad.

I am particularly pleased that alongside all this the Supreme Audit Office did not find any violations of legal regulations in the activities of the Presidential Office and, according to this same office, the internal control system of the Presidential Office serves as a model of good practice for other institutions.

I know that my tenure was not flawless, but it was always full of commitment and was faithful to democratic values. I considered it my mission to seek dialogue based on mutual respect, to listen to the opinions of citizens, political partners, and experts, and act to reduce tension.

Although this chapter of mine will end tomorrow, the style of politics that expresses these values ​​remains one of the most credible in the country. And that is an experience upon which we can continue to build.

Dear citizens,

Over the past five years, I have witnessed our ability to gather our strengths, stay united, and listen to the voice of reason and of the heart. I have witnessed many successes and encouraging signs. To complete this picture, however, I must mention that I have also seen missed opportunities and wasted chances.

It has been shown that Slovakia can be cohesive and solidary, sensitive and responsible. But at the same time, in many people, there is latent anger and fear. And it seems that the fragile bond that holds society together - the bond of trust - has been further weakened under the pressure of the reality of a difficult period.

Expressions of hatred have moved from social media into real life, and into political practice. A consequence of the extreme atmosphere in society was the terrorist attack on three young people on Zámocká Street, as was, just a few weeks ago, the attempted assassination of the prime minister.

At such times, each of us must ask ourselves what happened and why, not so that we can restart the spiral of attacks on others but instead so we can understand our role in such a situation. All human beings long for peace and security, but the only place where peace and security begin is in our minds and hearts. We must start from there, from ourselves, with our words and actions.

By expanding the space for good, replacing monologue with dialogue, swapping prejudice for an effort to listen, understand, and empathize.

We face a great task ahead: to strengthen trust and understanding among ourselves. We must never give up our fundamental humanistic task: to see others, above all, as brothers and sisters. We are very vulnerable, so let us make this moment of eternity we spend together better for each other.

Solidarity, tolerance, justice, and responsibility must remain our natural and essential bonds - for ourselves, our community, and for Slovakia.

My beloved Slovakia!

We have been through a challenging five years together. I could see your pain up close, but also joy and potential in the amazing people who live here. I could see your beauty and showcase it to other statesmen. You are divided, wounded, but always capable of coming together in humanity in difficult times.

Slovakia, the land of my childhood, my home, may you have more peaceful times, wise leadership, and greater humanity. May you be an increasingly confident, proud people, not lacking in humility. My beloved Slovakia, it was an honour to serve you.

Thank you.