Petr Pavel sworn in as president of the Czech Republic

Petr Pavel has been sworn in as Czechia’s fourth president. The former army general and senior NATO official delivered the presidential oath in front of a joint session of both chambers of Parliament at Prague Castle’s Vladislav Hall. The ceremony was attended by over 800 guests including former presidents and their wives, academics, representatives of the judiciary, cultural sphere, the army and church dignitaries.

In his inauguration speech, President Pavel said that by their choice in the presidential elections Czechs had put truth and decency over hatred and lies. Their choice, he said, opened the way for the return of value-driven politics.

President Pavel and the First Lady then appeared on the balcony of the third courtyard of Prague Castle to greet citizens. They were welcomed by thunderous applause from the packed courtyard. In a surprise move, President Pavel unfurled the lost presidential flag, which the Ztohoven guerilla group removed from Prague Castle in 2015 in protest against his predecessor’s policies in office. The newly elected president promised to reunite the nation and work for the return of respect and dignity to Czechia.

President Pavel also laid flowers at the statue of T.G. Masaryk, paying homage to the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia and stopped to shake hands with members of the public.

The inauguration will end with a performance of Antonín Dvořák’s Te Deum at St. Vitus Cathedral where the skull of St. Wenceslas, the nation’s patron saint, has been put on display to mark the special occasion.

Mr. Pavel, who is 61, beat Andrej Babiš in the second round of presidential elections in January. He succeeds Miloš Zeman, whose second term as head of state concluded at midnight on Wednesday.