Congratulations – The Czech Republic Has Elected a New President
Former NATO General Petr Pavel has won the Czech presidential election. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš conceded defeat to the 61-year-old Pavel, who secured over 58% of the votes in the second round held on Saturday, January 28, 2023. The new president, who previously served as Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, will replace Miloš Zeman, the controversial outgoing president of the Czech Republic.
Following the election, Pavel said: “I want to thank those who voted for me, as well as those who went to the polls but did not vote for me, because they demonstrated their respect for democracy and their concern for this country.” He added, “These elections are proof of the victory of values such as truth, dignity, and humility.” In his NATO role, Pavel supported providing military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. He is also known as a strong supporter of the European Union and NATO and sees the Czech Republic’s future as tied to membership in these organizations.
Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who ran against Pavel, was supported by former President Zeman. Both were skeptical about cooperation with the European Union and held negative views on immigration. For Babiš, this marks his second major political defeat in recent years. The movement he leads (ANO) moved to the opposition after losing the 2021 general elections.
The second round of the presidential election took place two weeks after the first round, in which none of the eight candidates secured an outright majority. The elections were accompanied by disinformation from all sides. For example, Babiš and his family received threats, and Pavel was the target of a hoax claiming he had died. Upon his election, Pavel addressed this and said: “Our society has been somewhat hurt by the presidential campaign, by the many crises we have faced and still face, and by the political style that has prevailed here recently.”
He stated that this situation must change and thanked everyone who voted for him, which, he said, gives him the mandate to take steps toward such a change. Pavel will assume office in March. His inauguration will mark the end of Zeman’s second and final five-year term — Zeman was the first Czech president elected by popular vote. Previous Czech presidents, Václav Havel and Václav Klaus, were elected by parliament.
