Retired General Petr Pavel has been elected as the President of the Czech Republic, in a landslide victory over his rival, billionaire Andrej Babis.

Pavel, a pro-western candidate, won the two-day runoff vote with nearly 67% of the vote, according to the Czech Statistical Office.

The election marks a major shift in the Czech political landscape, as Pavel ran on a platform of anti-corruption and government transparency. He has also promised to bring greater economic stability and greater public investment in the country.

Pavel, who retired from the army in 2017, had served as Defense Minister under the previous Czech government. He has been praised for his strong leadership skills and his commitment to promoting democracy.

The election was closely watched by the international community, as it was seen as a test of the country’s commitment to democracy and open elections.

The results of the election have been welcomed by the European Union, which has praised Pavel’s commitment to democracy and his plans to bring greater economic stability and investment to the Czech Republic.

This is a historic moment for the Czech Republic, as Pavel’s victory marks the first time a retired general has been elected president.