Pavel: Euro elections will be opportunity and test for democracy

The European elections taking place next year will be both an opportunity and a test for democracy, President Petr Pavel said in his speech at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday. He emphasised that the key to peace and prosperity in Europe is its unity and diversity. He also strongly condemned Russia's war in Ukraine and appealed to politicians to communicate with their citizens and not give space to misinformation.

In his speech, he also made several references to the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel, who would have celebrated his 87th birthday on October 5.