The President of the Czech Republic is the head of state and represents the country in diplomatic matters. The president is elected for a five-year term and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The role includes appointing the prime minister, signing laws, and overseeing the armed forces. The president also plays a significant role in the legislative process by proposing laws and can veto legislation passed by the Czech Parliament. The current president, as of October 2023, is Petr Pavel, who took office in March 2023, succeeding Miloš Zeman.