The history of Slovak rulers is closely tied to the broader history of Slovakia and its regions. During the early medieval period, the area was influenced by various powers, including the Great Moravian Empire, which was one of the first Slavic states in Central Europe. Later, the region became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where local leaders governed under the authority of the Hungarian crown. In the 20th century, Slovakia experienced significant political changes, especially after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, leading to the establishment of an independent Slovak Republic. Since then, Slovak rulers have included elected presidents and prime ministers, reflecting a democratic governance structure.