Petr Pavel served as head of NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018Source: NATO/Flickr.com (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Progressive, firm against Russia and China ex-communist and erstwhile NATO general. Who's Petr Pavel? The recently sworn Czech president defeated a populist rival in the election. Will he find a common language with partners from the Vistula River? What are his views on the Czech Republic's place in Europe?
The future president of the Czech Republic was born in 1961 in a tiny village close Pilzna. From an early age, he was associated with the military, attended schools with a military profile. From 1985 to 1989, he belonged to the Communist organization of Czechoslovakia. Years later he admitted that he regretted this phase in his career. However, the presence in the organization structures was a pass to a career in the army, in which Pavel remained after the velvet revolution and the government changed. In the 1990s he participated in peace missions in the war-torn Yugoslavia. Later, he besides studied abroad. A fewer years in Britain allowed him to master English fluently. Gradually, he climbed up a military ladder on which the summit landed in 2015. Pavel then became head of the NATO Military Committee. He held this function for 3 years. From 2020, he began socio-political activity. He submitted his independent candidacy for the office of president of the Czech Republic last September.
The presidential run revolved around the Czech position towards the war in Ukraine. Pavla's main rival, Andrej Babiš (former Czech Prime Minister) threatened the populist voters with suggestions that Pavel wanted to implicate the Czech Republic in direct participation in the fighting. Controversy was besides aroused by the communist past of the candidate. Babiš in turn had to defend himself against accusations of corruption and anti-democratic tendencies. During the campaign, he shocked the public, saying that in the case of the Russian invasion he would not decision to aid Poland, thus failing to comply with the provisions of the North Atlantic Treaty in force in the Czech Republic.
Petr Pavel with then Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (2015)Source: Halifax global Security/Flickr.com (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Nine candidates took part in the first circular of the election and although Pavel had the most votes, his advantage over Babiš was minimal and did not let the result of the political clash to be settled on 14 January. The triumph came 2 weeks later. In the second circular of this year's presidential election (27.01-28.01) Pavel declassed Babiš by winning with him by 58.32% of the votes to 41.67%. Turnout was over 70% at the time. Pavel was sworn in as president of the Czech Republic on 9 March, thus embracing him after Miloš Zeman's spoken language.
What kind of president will Pavel be? We know his views are progressive. It has for years stressed the request to fight climate change. He is simply a supporter of LGBT+ equality in the Czech Republic (currently only partnerships exist), supports women's rights and is besides in favour of legalising access to euthanasia. The views of the fresh president do not rise much controversy among the Czechs. In the presidential campaign, world-view issues were not a priority. This contrasts with the Polish policy, which is regularly shaken by ideological disputes. Abortion is legal in the Czech Republic, same-sex partnerships have been legal since 2006, and according to the 2020 data nearly 70% The Czech Republic is simply a supporter of full matrimony equality. It is besides hard to talk about any influence of the church on public debate or politics with our confederate neighbours, since according to the census of 2021 87.5% The Czechs belong to no spiritual union. Pavel is besides a advocate for deepening European integration, the social democratic model of the welfare state, and the adoption of the euro by the Czech Republic. It is worth remembering that the Czech Republic, like Poland, is characterised by a parliamentary strategy of governments, so the President's function in creating the direction of national politics is limited.
The first days after winning the election Pavel was able to exposure himself to the large power of China. He called Tsai Ing-wen, president of Taiwan, a democratic state officially not recognized by most of the global community. The Beijing government considers the island a rebellious province. Talking at specified a advanced level has triggered an immediate reaction. This is not the first time that leading politicians have so openly shown what they think about the authorities of the PRC. The Mayor of Prague Zdeněk Hřib has repeatedly expressed support for Tibetans, Uighurs and Taiwan. He even visited Taipei and became an honorary citizen of the city. Beijing's reaction was to break all cooperation with the Czech capital authorities. Both Hřib and Pavel have been criticizing Russia for years. Their position stood in contrast to Babiš and Zeman's visions, seeking to keep intrepid interests with the East.
During his swearing-in, Pavel stressed the importance of strengthening the alliance of countries of Central and east Europe: "We can be a player that unites akin partners". It thus highlighted the Czech Republic's integral position in the EU structures, suggesting that it besides take the lead function in a region plagued by authoritarian and populist urges. Pavel besides said to Ukraine: “She showed us that integrity and stubbornness are more crucial than the size of the opponent. (...) By helping Ukraine, we besides aid ourselves.” A week after the oath he visited Poland. He did not neglect to inform our authorities. In an interview with “Gazeta Wyborcza” he called for the government in Warsaw to undertake a more conciliative discussion that would focus on “certain concessions for a greater purpose”.
Green Casper
