Petr Pavel, a former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, has recently become the President of the Czech Republic. With over three decades of military experience, Pavel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role as head of state.
Pavel began his military career in the Czechoslovakian army, rising to the rank of general. He later served in NATO, where he held several senior positions, including Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces and Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. In 2015, he was appointed Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, becoming the first person from a post-communist country to hold the position.
As President of the Czech Republic, Pavel is tasked with representing the country on the international stage and promoting its interests abroad. He will also play a key role in shaping the country’s foreign and domestic policies, working closely with the government and other key stakeholders to address the challenges facing the Czech Republic today.
Pavel is known for his strong commitment to democracy and human rights, as well as his support for NATO and the European Union. He is widely respected for his leadership skills, his strategic vision, and his ability to build consensus and bring people together.
The election was determined in a second-round run-off between Pavel and Babis since none of the eight initial candidates got an absolute majority in the first round of voting two weeks earlier. Pavel, a former soldier, received 58.3 percent of the vote, with Andrej Babis receiving 41.7 percent.
The 61-year-old Pavel will take over for President Milos Zeman in March, an outspoken and volatile leader who developed strong connections with Moscow until reversing course after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.