Pavel and his wife Eva on the last day of the runoff
Ex-NATO general Petr Pavel won the run-off election for the presidency in the Czech Republic after counting 90 percent of the votes. According to figures from the Czech Statistical Office on Saturday, Pavel prevailed with 57.07 percent of the vote against the populist ex-Prime Minister Andrej Babis. The billionaire Babis accounted for only 42.92 percent.
When he voted on Friday, Pavel said he wanted to be a “worthy president”. “I will not make you any empty promises, but describe reality as it is,” he added.
The 61-year-old former paratrooper headed NATO’s military committee from 2015 to 2018. He is supported by the governing parties and advertises that he will “restore order” and lead the EU and NATO country Czech Republic with calm and experience.
The election campaign was characterized by tough arguments – with a disinformation campaign that had Pavel as its main target. Babis and his family, in turn, received death threats.
(AFP)