The newly elected Ombudswoman Maria Patakyová took up office on Wednesday after being sworn in and receiving her appointment papers from Parliamentary Chairman Andrej Danko. "The oath that I've just taken commits me to exercising my authority in an independent, unbiased, non-partisan and resolved manner," stated Patakyová. She went on to note that the present-day "post-fact era" is partly shaped by virtual reality and marked by a harsh criticism of global processes and material deprivation. "This is why increasing trust in the state and state authorities is evolving into one of the foremost challenges," she said. Patakyová hopes in Slovakia's commitment to the sensitive protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. She also said that she expects a good rapport with state authorities and positive feedback to her office's ideas for improvement.
