Slovak president will not seek re-election in 2024, cites personal reasons

Slovak President Zuzanna Čaputová will not enter the presidential campaign race in the hopes of getting re-elected for a second term in 2024, citing personal reasons related to the toll her role has taken on her and her family.

In a short speech on Tuesday, Čaputová announced she would not be seeking re-election despite her taking a decision on the matter was initially expected in May.

“Before announcing this decision, I had to estimate my strength for the next, potentially six years from now. And, after very honest reflection, I know today that there would not be enough strength for another mandate,” said Čaputová – mirroring former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s recent decision to retire from politics due to burnout.

Čaputová is currently Slovakia’s most trusted politician and would also likely win the 2024 election against possible opponents, according to the polls.

However, her decision mirrors New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arnerd, who retired from politics earlier this year due to “burning out”.

Čaputová, as well as he daughters, have been the target of hate campaigns, with Čaputová saying she needs to routinely testify in connection to the death threats she receives.

Many attacks were coming from members of the current leader in the polls, Smer, who accused Čaputová of being an “American agent” and conspiring with George Soros, for which the president has taken legal action against Smer leader Robert Fico.

Smer made similar comments after Tuesday’s announcement, claiming that “foreign-funded NGOs have already selected a new president”.

Čaputová is Slovakia’s first female president and presided over four governments in four years, during which the country faced several political crises, including the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Most other political parties reacted with messages of support, some speculating on possible replacements or announcing their candidates.

Expected to announce his candidacy is former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, who served under the ill-fated governments of Igor Matovič and Eduard Heger.

The liberal SaS party nominated Korčok despite him not being a member. He said he was waiting for Čaputová’s announcement before commenting on speculation he would run.

An April poll showed that Korčok would win against Fico but not against Peter Pellegrini, a Smer defector, whose party Hlas is currently polling third.

(Barbara Zmušková | EURACTIV.sk)