The Czech presidency is a largely ceremonial post, though the president plays an important role in foreign policy and government formation, according to Sean Hanley, an analyst at University College London.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Refusing to appoint Commissioner Topolanek or Commissioner Vondra, or re-appoint Commissioner Spidla (to cite the three names regarded as favourites for the post of the next Czech commissioner), would smack of collective punishment.

ECONOMIST: European politics

As president, he will represent the Czech Republic abroad and appoint candidates to the constitutional court and the central bank, but the post does not carry much day-to-day power.

BBC: Czech election: Milos Zeman wins presidential poll