Zuzana Čaputová, one of the founding members of ALDE Party member party Progressive Slovakia, won in the second round of Slovakia’s Presidential election that took place on 30 March.

Čaputová has made history in that she gained 58.4% of the vote to defeat Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the European Commission, in the second-round run-off to become the first female leader of her country.

Her success is also a strong sign of growing liberal forces in Slovakia and elsewhere in Central Europe, having campaigned for liberal, progressive and democratic values during the campaign.

“I am happy not just for the result but mainly that it is possible not to succumb to populism, to tell the truth, to raise interest without aggressive vocabulary,” she told her supporters.

“This started in the local election last year, was confirmed in the presidential election, and I believe the European [parliamentary election in May] will confirm it as well.”

She will take office on 15 June.

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