Inauguration of Zuzana Čaputová


Inauguration of Zuzana Čaputová was held on Saturday 15 June 2019 at 11:45 AM in the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava the capital of Slovakia. It took place during solemn session of the National Council, the highest law-making institution in Slovakia. Čaputová took the office by the oath to the head of Constitutional Court of Slovakia, Ivan Fiačan.

Inauguration in Reduta

The ceremony - solemn meeting of the Slovak parliament led by its speaker, Andrej Danko, lasted in the building of the Slovak Philharmonic called Reduta, which was located in the square of Eugen Suchoň in Bratislava's old town. Zuzana Čaputová, president-elect, oathed to the head of Constitutional Court of Slovakia, Ivan Fiačan.
Oath of the president of the Slovak republic is set by Constitution of Slovakia and it sounds like:
Constitution than says that the result of refusing the oath or oath with a reservation would be annulation of the presidential election. Čaputová was sworn-in at exactly 12:07 pm, despite the fact that the Constitution of the Slovak Republic statea that the new president is supposed to be inaugurated exactly at midday. This error was due to the speaker of the National Council, Andrej Danko, giving a speech, which was not expected, due to speeches of speakers the parliament at inaugurations of Slovak presidents not being a tradition. Čaputova then signed the text of the oath. In the following moment, the head of the Constitutional Court of Slovakia, Ivan Fiačan, proclaimed that everything was in accordance with the law and declared Čaputová president of the republic for a five year term. The national anthem, Nad Tatrou sa blýska followed, with a 21-gun salute sounding at the same time from the waterfront of the Danube and while the presidential standard being raised on the top of the Grassalkovich Palace. After this, Čaputová deliver an inaugural speech.

Following programme

According to fact, that Zuzana Čaputová became the commander-in-chief of the Slovak Armed Forces, immediately after the inauguration the military parade was held in front of the Reduta and the Slovak National Theatre in the Hviezdoslav's square with generals lead by the chief of the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Daniel Zmeko.
After the military parade Mrs president walked through the centre of Bratislava to the cathedral of saint Martin. It was the first chance to meet with citizens as inaugurated president. In the cathedral, there was served ecumenical Holy Mass in which participate representatives of the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession, the Reformed Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and other churches and religious communions.
Mrs president then symbolically took the palace and the office over from president Andrej Kiska. In the Presidential palace was served lunch, Zuzana Čaputová had invited to it seniors from all parts of Slovakia and she served them at least the first course.
The following part was laying of wreaths to the Freedom Memorial in Devín and laying bouquet at the grave of the first Slovak president, Michal Kováč, in the Ondrej's cemetery in Bratislava. The end of the post inauguration programme was reception in the Reduta with foreign guests.