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Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová unexpectedly appeared at Petr Pavel’s headquarters to personally congratulate the newly elected Czech head of state. She said she was gladdened by the fact that Europe would get another leader who respects democratic values. President Čaputová said Pavel’s election triumph fueled the hope that decency and truthfulness are not a weakness but a strength that can lead to victory. She won rousing applause.

In his first press briefing as newly-elected head of state, Petr Pavel thanked voters for coming to the polls is such large numbers.  Speaking at his campaign headquarters to a euphoric crowd shortly after the election results were announced, Mr. Pavel said that while he understands that some voters may be disappointed, he does not see winners and losers, but people who respect democracy and care about the future of the country. He promised to be a president for all citizens, work for the good of the country and bring decency, respect and humility to society.

Retired army general, Petr Pavel, has been elected the next president of Czechia. Mr. Pavel won the runoff against former prime minister Andrej Babiš, by the biggest margin ever in the history of Czech presidential elections. With  all votes counted, Petr Pavel got over 58.3 percent of the vote, his contestant received 41.6 percent.

General Pavel, whose election motto was “order and stability” received strong backing from the unsuccessful contenders in the first round of elections held a fortnight ago. He also received support from Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the leaders of the other parties in the ruling coalition.

Mr. Pavel will succeed the incumbent president, Miloš Zeman, and become the fourth president of Czechia. He is the second head of state to have been elected by popular vote.

Voter turnout in the second round of elections reached a record high at just over 70 percent.

The second round of voting was preceded by an aggressive and emotionally charged election campaign, which the prime minister described as “the worst in the country’s modern history”. He said he was greatly looking forward to cooperating with Petr Pavel and stressed the need for the newly-elected president to diffuse the tension and unite the nation.

Early reports from polling stations indicate a record turnout of around 70 percent in the second round of presidential elections. The turnout in the first round reached 68.2. The higher turnout in the second round is attributed to the aggressive and emotionally charged campaign which Prime Minister Petr Fiala described as “the worst in the country’s modern history”.