The Czech Republic has a new president. Petr Pavel took office

The new President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, took the oath of office on Thursday 9 March 2023. This took place at a joint meeting of both chambers of Parliament in Vladislav Hall, which was also attended by members of the Czech Government, including Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

On Thursday, 9 March, shortly after 2 pm, the new president, Petr Pavel, took the oath of office to the Constitution of the Czech Republic and thus became the new president. Prime Minister Petr Fiala wished the new highest constitutional official to be a successful president and to fulfil the great expectations that people have placed in him.

“President Petr Pavel wants to unite society, respect the Constitution and its spirit, and clearly advocates the pro-Western orientation of our country. I look forward to our cooperation and I believe that we will work together for the benefit of the Czech Republic and its citizens,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

The ceremonial act of inauguration of the new Czech President was concluded with a Te Deum opus by Antonín Dvořák in the Cathedral of St Vitus, Wenceslas and Vojtěch at Prague Castle, accompanied by a ceremony honouring the memory of St Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic.

The term of office of the current Czech President Miloš Zeman expired at the stroke of midnight on Wednesday, 8 March, to Thursday, 9 March 2023. Thus, his ten years as the highest constitutional official of the Czech Republic were completed.