In a dramatic turn of events, the Czech presidential race moved to a decisive runoff as the two frontrunners prepared for a second round two weeks later. With the vote count surpassing 99 percent, Pavel, aged 61, held a narrow lead at about 35.25 percent, while former populist prime minister Andrej Babis, aged 68, was close behind at roughly 35.13 percent. The field also featured economist Danuse Nerudova, the sole woman among eight contenders, who captured about 13.9 percent. Voter turnout stood at approximately 68.2 percent, noticeably higher than the 61 percent recorded five years earlier.
Because no candidate achieved an outright majority, the top two vote-getters faced off in a runoff scheduled for two weeks hence. The contest has underscored the strength of the two front-runners and their capacity to mobilize support across a wide spectrum of voters.
Analysts observed that the two leading figures delivered outcomes that exceeded expectations. Babis polled around 26 percent in some surveys, while Pavel posted a stronger showing closer to 29 percent according to the early tallies, widening the gap just enough to intensify the runoff dynamics.
These elections will determine the successor to the current head of state, a former social democrat who has held the presidency for a five-year term. His tenure has been marked by fierce public debate, notably around media relationships and foreign policy alignments, as he navigated a path away from Russia after the invasion of Ukraine last year.
On election day, about 8.4 million Czechs were eligible to vote across two days of polling, with stations operating from early morning until mid-afternoon. The weekend voting window was designed to maximize participation and ensure broad access across urban and rural areas alike.
Pavel, a former head of the Armed Forces, has the distinction of being the first Eastern European general to chair NATO’s Military Committee, the alliance’s top military appointment. His campaign has centered on restoring stability and projecting a steady course for the Czech Republic, including a continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and safeguarding European unity in the face of geopolitical challenges.
With a campaign slogan advocating order and peace, Pavel argued for a pragmatic approach to governance while emphasizing corporate responsibility and resilience. He stressed the need to maintain strong ties with allied nations and to reinforce the country’s role within the European mainstream in defense and foreign policy matters.
Although Pavel did not officially back any single candidate in the first round, he drew significant support from the centre-right coalition and allied parties within the political spectrum, a coalition known for its pro-European stance and emphasis on democratic processes. His stance is often contrasted with Babis’s broader populist appeal, which has attracted a loyal following but also sparked concern among some voters about democratic norms and long-term political stability.
After the results began to be tallied, Babis faced questions about how to attract voters who initially supported Nerudova and other candidates. His supporters include the ANO party, a major force in Czech opposition politics, alongside the outgoing president who has maintained substantial influence in the public conversation. The runup to the runoff has highlighted the polarizing dynamic of Babis’s political profile and the challenge of broadening his appeal beyond his core base.
Meanwhile, Nerudova’s voters represented a potential swing bloc in the second round, with many expressing openness to backing a candidate who could diversify the political landscape while maintaining a pro-European stance. The outcome of the runoff is expected to hinge on which candidate can best translate the third-place support into a broader appeal and persuade undecided voters that their preferred direction for the country is clear and sustainable.
The presidency carries immunity during its five-year term, a factor that has been part of the public discourse as investigations into allegations surrounding Babis continue in parallel with the electoral process. For voters, the interplay between legal scrutiny and political leadership remains a salient theme as the campaign progresses toward the decisive vote in the runoff.
In the final stretch, analysts and campaigning groups emphasized the imperative for voters to consider leadership style, policy priorities, and the credibility of each candidate’s vision for the Czech Republic’s future. The second round is seen not only as a test of personal leadership but also as a judgment on the direction of Czech democratic institutions within a broader European context.