Congratulations pouring in for new Czech head of state

Congratulations have been pouring in from at home and abroad for the newly-elected Czech president Petr Pavel. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová was the first foreign head of state to offer well-wishes, making a surprise appearance at Pavel’s campaign headquarters shortly after the results were announced.

Congratulations arrived from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel who both said they were looking forward to working with the new Czech president and greatly valued his experience as a former head of NATO’s Military Committee. Greetings and well-wishes also arrived from the leaders of Germany, Poland, Austria, France and Ukraine, among others.

Petr Pavel confirmed that, in line with tradition, his first foreign trip would be to Slovakia and he intended to follow it up with visits to all the neighbor states.