Newly-elected Czech president Petr Pavel to take office on March 9

The newly-elected Czech president, Petr Pavel, has thanked voters for the trust they placed in him, saying that his victory in the elections fills him with respect, pride and a sense of responsibility that comes with the office of head of state. In an interview for Czech public television, Mr. Pavel said he would be a president for all citizens and would work hard to deliver on his promises. The future president, who will be sworn in on March 9, will be meeting with political leaders in the coming days as he prepares to take office. In his first year, he is due to appoint seven constitutional judges and represent Czechia at a NATO summit in July.