Poll: Havel still seen as best post-1989 president, Pavel moves to second place

Czechs continue to view Václav Havel as the best president since 1989, according to a new STEM/MARK survey. Current president Petr Pavel ranked second for the first time, overtaking Václav Klaus. His predecessor Miloš Zeman placed fourth. Respondents praised Pavel’s public demeanor and his representation of Czech interests abroad, giving him an average grade of 2.6 on a school-style scale. Supporters of the former governing coalition and the Pirates rated him most positively, while voters of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party were critical. The poll surveyed 1,008 adults in late October.