Former Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
ZUZANA ČAPUTOVÁ will spend the coming months at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, engaging in discussions on how to counter attacks on democracy. She will not allow her pride in Slovakia to be dampened by those who are currently monopolising patriotism and defining who can be a patriot.
“Let’s try to be aware that some are inviting us into a permanent conflict, and let's maintain our distance from it,” says President Čaputová, who completed her term in June.
She is concerned about the societal atmosphere and says that citizens not only have the right, but even the duty to speak out if they feel democracy is under threat. At the same time, it is important to her that these expressions of dissatisfaction and concern arise without provoking hatred.
When we last spoke, you announced to the public that you would not run for a second term. You also said that even after your mandate ends, you would look for other ways to be useful. How does the former president consider her usefulness now?
Above all, I believe my work should remain based in Slovakia. I have a connection to this country, which is my home and to which I had the privilege of serving in the highest office. My thoughts about the future are naturally tied to this. They are also logically linked to the issues I focused on during my presidential term and even before that. Whether it’s issues related to climate protection or helping people whose voices are not being heard. These include various minorities, and of course, women, who seem to face more frequent attacks than the male segment of society. The issue of violence against women is particularly important to me. However, I often reflect on what is happening to democracy around the world and how to foster greater social cohesion. Before these reflections take concrete form, I will take a brief academic break.
Are you suggesting that you’re ready to discuss your next step?
I have accepted an offer to join Stanford University’s Institute for International Studies as a visiting fellow. This programme is offered by the university each year to selected leaders from around the world. I’m expected to spend the next semester there. I greatly appreciate this opportunity, as it's one of the top universities in the world. The university’s intention is for students to learn from individuals with political experience, so they can grasp the challenges involved in seeking solutions. It’s also an opportunity for me to explore, in an academic environment, the issues that interest me, which I alluded to in my first response. I’m also looking forward to meeting our compatriots there on various occasions. So, I should be spending the next three months on the campus near San Francisco.
Top American universities are an inspiring environment, as they can afford to invite world leaders. For instance, former Czech President Václav Havel also spent some time at Columbia University. Although you’re only leaving for a short time, some might interpret your stay as a departure from Slovakia.
Having completed my five years in office, I see many opportunities to be useful in Slovakia. My short academic break can also help me better understand my own five-year experience. I'm very grateful for the interest in my experience within academic circles. In Slovakia, we are partly facing similar challenges to those faced by the entire world. Many democracies are in crisis and under attack; we see the fragmentation of society. These challenges are more universal, and I hope I will be able to explore them and gain a better understanding, which will later enrich my work in Slovakia.
So, will your time at the university allow you to reflect on your next steps upon returning to Slovakia? Or do you already have a more concrete idea now?
