Petr Pavel returns from holiday to vote in Czech municipal elections

Czech President Petr Pavel returned from a holiday abroad to vote in the municipal elections in Černouček, near Litoměřice, shortly before 3 pm on Friday. The Presidential Office had initially announced that he would not vote because he was on a private trip abroad, prompting criticism from the public and politicians from both the governing coalition and the opposition.

Pavel admitted that announcing his absence had been a mistake, saying the president should set an example. He said he was glad he had ultimately cast his ballot and considered the matter closed.