Freedom and peace were never free. It is important to constantly fight for them and protect them. And when necessary, sacrifice a lot for your defense. Like everyone we remember today. The worst thing is not learning from history and repeating the same mistakes.
Petr Pavel (born November 1, 1961) is a Czech president, former army general. He previously served as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, and as the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces from 2012 to 2015.
After the operation in Bosnia, Pavel served in various positions in the Czech Army, including military intelligence and diplomacy. He represented the Czech Republic in several military diplomatic positions in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States.
During the Iraq War, he escorted civilians to safety, claiming that Saddam could use him against invading US forces.
Presidency[]
On 29 June 2022, Pavel announced his intention to run in the 2023 Czech presidential election. He said he wanted to win the election so that the Czech Republic would not have to feel embarrassed by its president. Pavel launched his official campaign on 6 September 2022, saying he wanted to "return order and peace to the Czech Republic", running on a pro-Western, pro-European, and anti-populist platform, the views he consistently represented throughout his senior military management career. On 4 October 2022, he was one of three candidates endorsed by the Spolu electoral alliance (the Civic Democratic Party, KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09). Pavel is planning to make his initial foreign trips to Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine to reassure the Czech Republic's international commitments and express support to Ukraine against the 2022 Russian invasion. Polish president Andrzej Duda and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy were also the first foreign leaders he spoke to as president-elect.
Pavel was inaugurated as president on 9 March 2023. In his inaugural address, he emphasized dignity, respect and decency, and stated that he would like to participate in the creation of a common vision for the Czech Republic. His first presidential trip led to Slovakia where he met President Zuzana Čaputová, Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Speaker of National Council Boris Kollár.
Pavel, given his military experience, suggested Ukraine not to rush into a counteroffensive against the background of the siege in Bakhmut.
Political views[]
Pavel has progressive views on sociocultural issues. He supports same-sex marriage and adoption rights for homosexual people, and confirmed that he would not veto a law allowing the recognition of same-sex unions. Pavel spoke out in favor of active Czech membership in the European Union and NATO, supports the introduction of euthanasia, and rejects the death penalty. In 2019, he argued that rich people should pay higher taxes and supports a stronger redistribution of wealth. He has cited the Scandinavian countries as inspiration. After his election as chairman of NATO's Military Committee in 2014, Pavel criticized political correctness, arguing that it creates an environment in which those in charge are only told what they want to hear. He said that during his tenure as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee he saw many Chiefs of Staff who could not call problems by their name due to political correctness. Following accusations that the Czech Republic would mobilize and get involved directly into the Ukraine war if he won, because of his military background, he said he knew what war was and would do everything he could to keep the country away from conflict.