The first New Year address by President Zuzana Čaputová was non-partisan but critical regarding current issues in society, thinks the political scientist Darina Malová from the Department of Political Science at Comenius University. According to Malová, although the speech was non-partisan, it probably will not have positive evaluations everywhere and from everybody, especially when it comes to politicians. "And this is partly in connection with the fact that she appealed for the introduction of reforms that would make the police, prosecution service and courts more accountable," said Malová.
Meanwhile politicians from the junior governing Most-Híd party as well as the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and OĽaNO have explicitly praised it. "Since she took up office, we've been able to witness that President Čaputová speaks clearly and openly. She can accurately formulate and highlight the country's most pressing problems," Most-Híd stated for the TASR agency. Moreover, the party thinks that the president tried to evoke responsibility for the future of Slovakia in everyone, which is important. Also the opposition Freedom and Solidarity was pleased that the president chose the word 'hope' to span her entire New Year speech. The far-right Peoples Party Our Slovakia has also commented on the president's speech, asking Zuzana Čaputová to stick to her words about the protection of cultural heritage and thus not block Parliament's rejection of the Istanbul Convention.
