Next Czech presidential election

2023 election

At the previous election in January 2023, Petr Pavel was elected for his first term defeating former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.^[2][3] His inauguration was held on 9 March 2023.

Since 2023 election

Fortuna made a list of odds for the 2028 presidential election soon after the 2023 election. Petr Pavel was viewed as front runner. Other potential candidates with a chance to win included Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Minister of Interior Vít Rakušan and President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil.^[4] Petr Pavel said on 6 March 2023 that he might not seek reelection, as he considers it "reasonable that a person remains in such an office for only one term". He added that when there are two presidential terms possible, the president could behave during their first term to be reelected, in order to enjoy their second term.^[5] 2023 presidential candidate Danuše Nerudová confirmed her intention to run on 20 March 2023 stating "I hope that optimism to run again won't leave me in 5 years."^[6]

On 8 March 2024, Pavel suggested for the first time that he might seek reelection. He stated that it would depend on the political and social situation and also on whether he had the support of his family.^[7][8] On 23 January 2026, he said he would run again if he feels he has enough public support and is in a good health condition.^[9]

On 24 January 2026, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš stated that government parties should nominate a joint candidate for the next presidential election. He said that discussion about the candidate should start in early 2027. He also confirmed that he does not plan to run himself. Petr Macinka, leader of Motorists for Themselves, stated that it made sense for government parties to run a joint candidate.^[10] On 30 July 2026, in an interview with Novinky.cz, Macinka stated that the government parties should not nominate a political candidate, but a candidate from civil society without government support.^[11]

Speculative

• Dita Charanzová, politician, former MEP (2014–2024).^[12]
• Pavel Fischer, Senator and candidate in the 2018 and 2023 elections, did not rule out becoming a candidate again when asked, commenting "you will hear from me again."^[13]
• Dominik Hašek, ice hockey player, stated in 2020 that he plans to run for president in 2028.^[14]
• Karel Janeček, mathematician, entrepreneur and 2023 candidate, did not rule out standing.^[15]
• Věra Jourová, former Minister of Regional Development, former Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency and former European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality from 2014 to 2019, stated on 21 February 2025 that she would closely watch who is running if Pavel decides to not run for a second term, which might "ignite a Messiah complex in [her]".^[16]
• Michael Kocáb, composer, singer, political activist and former Minister for Human Rights and Minorities, stated on 5 October 2023 that he intends to run in the next presidential election.^[17]
• Aleš Michl, Governor of the Czech National Bank.^[18]
• Danuše Nerudová, economist, MEP and candidate in the 2023 election, said on 20 March 2023 that she is interested in running.^[6]
• Pavel Novotný [cs], Mayor of Řeporyje, stated that he will seek nomination for the 2028 election.^[19]
• Petr Pavel, the incumbent president, is eligible to run for second term.^[20]
• Alena Schillerová, MP and Minister of Finance, was discussed as a potential ANO 2011 nominee after Prime Minister Babiš stated that "a female president would suit the Czech Republic" and said he considered Schillerová an option.^[21]
• Tomáš Sedláček, economist expressed interest in running.^[22]
• Miroslav Sládek, former presidential nominee and former leader of the Rally for the Republic – Republican Party of Czechoslovakia (SPR–RSČ), co-organised a demonstration held on 9 May 2025 where he started gathering signatures for his presidential nomination. He is supported by Czech Republic in First Place!.^[23]
• Ivana Tykač, businesswoman and philanthropist.^[18]
• Marek Vašut, actor, is the subject of an online petition with more than 6,000 signatures calling for him to run for president. Vašut himself has not commented.^[24]
• Radek Vondráček, MP and former presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, confirmed his interest in running, noting that former Czech President Miloš Zeman advised him to run.^[25] In May 2026, some ANO supporters called for his candidacy on social media.^[26] In August 2026, Libor Vondráček, leader of Svobodní elected to the Chamber of Deputies on SPD-led list, showed his support for the candidacy.^[27]
• Miloš Zeman, former Czech president, is eligible to run for a third non-consecutive term. In August 2026 Zeman admitted that the idea to run tempts him.^[28]

Declined

• Andrej Babiš, MP, Prime Minister and ANO 2011 nominee in the 2023 presidential election, announced on 5 April 2023 that he will not run again.^[29]
• Petr Fiala, former Prime Minister, said that some people had told him to think about running for president.^[30] On 17 January 2026, he announced that he will not run and stated that the incumbent president is doing well in the office.^[31]
• Marek Hilšer, Senator and candidate in the 2018 and 2023 elections, stated after his defeat in 2023 that he doesn't feel like running again, adding that twice is enough.^[32]

First round

Second round

Pavel vs Babiš

Acceptability of candidates