Former general defeats billionaire in race to be president of Czech Republic

Former general Petr Pavel emerged triumphant after the first round of voting in the race to be president of the Czech Republic (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Retired army general Petr Pavel narrowly defeated populist billionaire Andrej Babis in the first round of the Czech presidential election to set up a run-off vote between the political newcomer and the former prime minister.

Mr Pavel and Mr Babis advanced to a second round of voting because none of the eight candidates seeking the country’s largely ceremonial presidency received a majority of votes in the initial round, which was held on Friday and Saturday.