The Czech Republic has elected its new president in a two-day runoff election, with retired General Petr Pavel emerging as the victor. Pavel, who was the leader of the Czech army from 2012 to 2017, beat out his rival, billionaire Andrej Babis, in a landslide victory.

The election was widely viewed as a referendum on the ruling populist party, ANO, of which Babis is the leader. Pavel ran as an independent, and his win is seen as a rejection of the party’s policies.

Pavel’s victory was a surprise to many, as the polls had indicated a close race between the two candidates. However, Pavel ultimately won by a wide margin, with 58.6% of the vote.

The election was closely monitored by the international community, as the Czech Republic is a member of the European Union. Pavel has vowed to uphold the country’s commitment to the EU and to maintain a strong relationship with its neighbors.

The result of the election is seen as a victory for democracy in the Czech Republic, as the people have chosen a leader who is willing to stand up for their values. It remains to be seen how Pavel will lead the country in the coming years, but for now the people of the Czech Republic can celebrate the fact that their voices have been heard.