Czechs’ final vote on Saturday in the country’s presidential election showed that the choice is between former Czech army chief Petr Pavel and billionaire and former prime minister Andrej Babis.
Pro-West and Ukraine
Petr Pavel is a 61-year-old retired general who has the support of the center-right government that ousted Babis in 2021. He wants to introduce the euro and wants to see more progressive policies such as allowing gay marriage.
Pavel is also clear that the Czech Republic should continue to support Ukraine in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Leads opposition party
Andrej Babis, 68, is a business magnate and former prime minister and head of the Czech Republic’s main opposition party, Ano. He is trying to appeal to voters struggling with rising prices and has promised to push the government to do more to help them.
Babis has expressed concern that Russia’s war in Ukraine will spread and has offered to hold peace talks.
Voting ends on Saturday at 2 p.m. The election results are expected to be ready within a few hours after the polls close.