A former NATO general pledging unwavering support for Ukraine will become the next Czech president after securing a convincing victory over a combative former billionaire prime minister.
Petr Pavel, who once served as NATO’s highest-ranking military officer, declared victory after winning 57.9% with 98% of polling districts counted, according to data published by the Czech Statistics Office. Andrej Babis, a chemicals, farming and media magnate known for his clashes with the European Union, had 42.1%.
“I’m confident that what we have in common is much more than the divisions,” Pavel told supporters in Prague on Saturday in a plea for unity.
