Slovakia elects its first female president

Caputova, who gained prominence as a lawyer when she led a case against an illegal landfill lasting 14 years, won about 58 per cent votes to European Commission Vice President Sefcovic’s 42 per cent.

Anti-corruption candidate Zuzana Caputova has won the presidential elections in Slovakia to become the country’s first female head of state.

Anti-corruption candidate Zuzana Caputova has won the presidential elections in Slovakia to become the country’s first female head of state. (Reuters Photo)

Caputova, who has almost no political experience, defeated high-profile diplomat Maros Sefcovic from the governing party in a second run-off vote, the BBC reported on Sunday.

Caputova, who gained prominence as a lawyer when she led a case against an illegal landfill lasting 14 years, won about 58 per cent votes to European Commission Vice President Sefcovic’s 42 per cent.

Aged 45, a divorcee and mother of two, she is a member of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party, which has no seats in Parliament.

In a country where same-sex marriage and adoption is not yet legal, her liberal views promote LGBTQ+ rights.

The election follows the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018.