Daniel Zmeko
Reservist | Member of the Slovak National Defence Forces
A retired general and former Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, he held the position from 2018 to 2026. He led the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as well as through a period of modernisation of their equipment and defence capabilities. Over the course of his more than 30-year military career, he held various command positions and served on international missions in Cyprus and Iraq, where he commanded the Slovak contingent.
He believes that patriotism should not be taken for granted, but is a value that people develop over time. He also emphasises the importance of alliances, arguing that cooperation with other countries helps Slovakia preserve its independence and freedom.