Zuzana Čaputová is the first Slovak head of state to address participants at the annual Munich Security Conference. At the 56th edition of this event, one of the most important meetings of security experts in the world, Čaputová talked about Leaders' Responsibility in Protecting Rule of Law.
"Democracy is chiefly about the spirit of freedom, justice, tolerance and solidarity, which have the defensive wall of the rule of law, she said, adding that we need responsible political leaders defending and asserting the rule of law to make it function. According to Čaputová, the responsibility of political leaders has three levels.
The first one is the issue of the formal setting of rules, seen for example in contributing to good law-making. The second one is personal, or rather moral. As part of it, leaders should understand that the self-limitation of power is essential for the protection and functioning of democracy. The third level of political responsibility of leaders according to Čaputová is the social level, which should prevent populism and extremism. "We are all facing a growth in populism, extremism, or irresponsible rhetoric that "divides our society and slowly relativizes, questions or directly attacks values and rules", said the Slovak President.
