Czech president Zeman in hospital day after election

An ambulance carrying Milos Zeman arrives at the military hospital in Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

Czech president Milos Zeman was rushed to hospital the day after the country held parliamentary elections in which populist prime minister Andrej Babis’ party came a surprise second and Mr Zeman plays a key role in establishing a new government.

The Czech presidency is a largely ceremonial post but the president has the right to choose which political leader can try to form the next government.