Pavel returned from Morocco and voted in Černouček

09.10.2026 17:01 HotInfo

President Petr Pavel unexpectedly interrupted his private vacation in Morocco on Friday to take part in the municipal elections. Shortly after returning to the Czech Republic, he headed straight to the polling station in the village of Černouček in the Litoměřice region, where he cast his vote. STVR (Minúta po minúte) ↗

Pavel apologized for his original decision not to participate in the elections and admitted that it was an error of judgment. "We all make mistakes, even presidents," he said during a brief conversation with journalists. He cast his vote accompanied by security services and then prepared to return to Morocco. denikn.cz ↗

According to published information, he flew back to Casablanca on a private Hawker 900XP aircraft belonging to the Moroccan company Sarah Airways. He thus returned to the Czech Republic only for the time necessary to take part in the elections. He is continuing his vacation in Africa with friends during a motorcycle expedition. idnes.cz ↗

The president's turnaround prompted mostly positive reactions among politicians. Some representatives of both the coalition and the opposition praised his participation as the right decision and a gesture toward voters. However, critical remarks also emerged regarding the fact that he only went to vote after public pressure. novinky.cz ↗

Pavel's return concluded a several-day dispute over his planned non-participation. Further debate may now focus on the political and communication consequences of the original decision, as well as on whether the president's move will help restore public trust. ihned.cz ↗