The Czech President is the head of state of the Czech Republic, a position that plays a significant role in the country's political system. The president is elected by popular vote for a term of five years and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The president's responsibilities include representing the nation, signing laws, and appointing key officials, such as the prime minister and judges. The office of the president was established in 1993, following the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia into two independent countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The current president, as of 2023, is Petr Pavel, who took office in March 2023, succeeding Miloš Zeman.