Millionaire-turned-philanthropist Andrej Kiska on Sunday celebrated his inauguration as Slovakia's first president without a communist past by inviting homeless people to sit side-by-side with lawmakers at a ceremonial lunch.
"I will be Slovakia's first president without a political past. I will be there for all people, regardless of their political affiliation and nationality," Kiska said in his first speech as head of state.
The 51-year old tycoon, who made his fortune in the consumer-credit business in the 1990s, founded the country's biggest charity, "Good angel", which helps terminally ill children and their families.
He has also vowed to donate his presidential salary to charity for the entire five-year term. Fifteen homeless people, as well as children from foster homes and senior citizens, attended the sumptuous lunch at the president's new palace on Sunday in a nod to what Kiska said will be the hallmark of his leadership.
"I will open the presidential office to people who need our help, they will be my priority," he said earlier this week.
A non-aligned centrist, the political newcomer emerged out of nowhere to win a landslide victory in a March election, preventing veteran leftist Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico from tightening his grip on power.
Kiska is the country's fourth president since independence in 1993, and its first without a history of allegiance to the Communist party.