Fiala, like everyone else at the ceremony, was wearing a respirator as she signed the official document in front of Zeman, who was seated inside a box specially made for the occasion.
Soon after the results were announced, both coalitions signed a memorandum to form a government to oust the current populist Prime Minister Lady Babis from power.
Just a day after the election, 77-year-old Zeman was taken to hospital, where he spent several weeks in intensive care for liver and other serious health problems.
One of the president’s main constitutional roles is to choose the next prime minister to form the government, so Zeman’s hospitalization has led to a political deadlock in the country.
Zaman was released from the hospital on Thursday morning after 46 days, only to be sent back later in the evening after testing positive for Covid-19.
After showing no symptoms of Covid, he was released again on Saturday, but with the requirement that he remain in quarantine.
During the ceremony, Zeman and Fiala spoke to each other using microphones. Zeman said he would next meet in person with Fiala’s potential cabinet members, adding that he wanted to complete the process by December 13.
Until a new government is formed and a vote of confidence in the lower house of the Czech parliament takes place, Babis and his government remain in power.
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