View source for Miloš Zeman

{{short description|President of the Czech Republic from 2013 to 2023}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Miloš Zeman
| image               = Miloš Zeman 2022.jpg
| caption             = Zeman in 2022
| office              = 3rd [[President of the Czech Republic]]
| primeminister       = [[Petr Nečas]]<br />[[Jiří Rusnok]]<br />[[Bohuslav Sobotka]]<br />[[Andrej Babiš]]<br />[[Petr Fiala]]
| term_start          = 8 March 2013
| term_end            = 8 March 2023
| predecessor         = [[Václav Klaus]]
| successor           = [[Petr Pavel]]
| office1             = [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]]
| president1          = [[Václav Havel]]
| term_start1         = 17 July 1998
| term_end1           = 15 July 2002
| predecessor1        = [[Josef Tošovský]]
| successor1          = [[Vladimír Špidla]]
| office2             = [[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]]
| term_start2         = 27 June 1996
| term_end2           = 17 July 1998
| predecessor2        = [[Milan Uhde]]
| successor2          = [[Václav Klaus]]
| office3             = Leader of the [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]]
| term_start3         = 28 February 1993
| term_end3           = 7 April 2001
| predecessor3        = [[Jiří Horák]]
| successor3          = [[Vladimír Špidla]]
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1944|9|28}}
| birth_place         = [[Kolín]], [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia]]<br />(now [[Czech Republic]])
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| height              = 1.87 m
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Blanka Zemanová|1971|1978|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Ivana Zemanová|Ivana Bednarčíková]]|1993}}
}}
| children            = 2
| party               = [[Communist Party of Czechoslovakia|Communist Party]] <br />(1968–1970)<br />[[Civic Forum]] <br />(1990–1991)<br />[[Civic Movement]] <br />(1991–1992)<br />[[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]] <br />(1992–2007)<br />[[Independent politician|Independent]]<br />(2007–2009, 1970–1990)<br />[[Party of Civic Rights]] <br />(2009–2022)
| alma_mater          = [[University of Economics, Prague]]
| website             = {{url|zemanmilos.cz|Official website}}
| signature           = Miloš Zeman Signature.svg
}}
'''Miloš Zeman''' ({{IPA|cs|ˈmɪloʃ ˈzɛman|lang|audio=Cs-Milos Zeman.ogg}}; born 28 September 1944) is a Czech politician who served as the third president of the Czech Republic from 2013 to 2023. He also previously served as the [[prime minister of the Czech Republic]] from 1998 to 2002. As leader of the [[Czech Social Democratic Party]] from 1993 to 2001, he is credited with the revival of the party into one of the country's major political forces. Zeman briefly served as the [[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]] from 1996 to 1998.

Born in [[Kolín]] to a modest family, Zeman joined the [[Communist Party of Czechoslovakia]] in 1968, but was expelled two years later due to his opposition to the [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia|Warsaw Pact invasion]]. Following the [[Velvet Revolution]] in 1989, he joined the [[Czech Social Democratic Party]], which he led into the [[1996 Czech legislative election|1996 election]].

Zeman became [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister]] following the [[1998 Czech legislative election|1998 legislative election]] after striking a [[Opposition agreement|controversial pact]] with his long-time rival [[Václav Klaus]], which was heavily criticized by President [[Václav Havel]], the media and opposition for weakening the system of [[Separation of powers|checks and balances]]. His government continued the [[privatization]] of publicly owned industries and established new [[Regions of the Czech Republic|administrative regions]]. Zeman's cabinet also attempted to change the electoral system to [[first-past-the-post voting]], which was struck down by the [[Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic|Constitutional Court]]. Under his leadership, the Czech Republic joined [[NATO]] in 1999. Zeman was the last leader to vote in favor of the [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|1999 bombing of Yugoslavia]], effectively green-lighting the operation. He ran for president in [[2003 Czech presidential election|2003]] but was eliminated after his own party members did not vote for him. 

In 2013, Zeman was [[2013 Czech presidential election|elected]] president of the Czech Republic, becoming the first directly elected president in the nation's history; his predecessors were elected by the [[Parliament of the Czech Republic|Parliament]]. In 2018, he was [[2018 Czech presidential election|re-elected]] for a second term. His presidency was marked by deepening polarization and political discontent. Zeman has been a subject of widespread criticism and source of controversy. He was widely regarded as having pursued favourable policies towards Russia and China, while frequently clashing with traditional allies in the European Union and [[NATO]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-08 |title=Czech President Milos Zeman leaves, opponents celebrate |url=https://apnews.com/article/czech-president-milos-zeman-32bc8395516a9eff2723f3f5d57b1620 |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-10-11 |title=Milos Zeman: The Czech leader proud to be politically incorrect|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58875261 |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=Czech President Milos Zeman: a populist tragedy of our times |url=https://www.intellinews.com/czech-president-milos-zeman-a-populist-tragedy-of-our-times-272438/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=intellinews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Czech Republic's new friends |date=31 January 2018 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/is-the-czech-republic-moving-closer-to-china-and-russia/a-42392040 |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=DW }}</ref> However, some of his supporters contest this characterization, and Zeman subsequently strongly opposed the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="award" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> During his presidency, many of his high-level staff and associates were targets of investigations for mishandling [[classified information]], corruption and fraud, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plevák |first=Ondřej |date=2022-04-08 |title=Czech Republic finds instances of suspicious document shredding |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/czech-republic-finds-instances-of-suspicious-document-shredding/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=euractiv.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-31 |title=President Zeman Accuses BIS of Wiretapping |url=https://visegradinsight.eu/president-zeman-accuses-bis-of-wiretapping/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Visegrad Insight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pokorná |first=Zdislava |date=2023-01-20 |title=Zeman chtěl zastavit vyšetřování hradních kauz. Fiala abolici odmítl podepsat |url=https://denikn.cz/1059665/zeman-chtel-zastavit-vysetrovani-hradnich-kauz-fiala-abolici-odmitl-podepsat/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Deník N |language=cs}}</ref> Zeman left office in 2023 and was succeeded by [[Petr Pavel]].

==Early years==
Zeman was born in [[Kolín]].<ref name="novinky"/> His parents divorced when he was two years old and he was raised by his mother, who was a teacher.<ref name="novinky"/><ref name="horakova">{{cite news |last1=Horáková |first1=Pavla |title=Milos Zeman - Outgoing Prime Minister |url=https://www.radio.cz/en/section/czechstoday/milos-zeman-outgoing-prime-minister |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=Radio Prague |date=19 June 2002}}</ref> He studied at a high school in Kolín, then from 1965 at the [[University of Economics, Prague|University of Economics in Prague]], graduating in 1969.<ref name="novinky">{{cite web |url= https://www.novinky.cz/tag/milos-zeman-19093 |title=Miloš Zeman |website=novinky.cz |language=cs |access-date=27 January 2013}}</ref>

Zeman joined the [[Communist Party of Czechoslovakia]] in 1968, during the [[Prague Spring]],<ref name="horakova"/> but was expelled in 1970 due to his opposition to the [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia]].<ref name="horakova"/><ref name = MF >{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/on-line-chat-milos-zeman-0sh-/domaci.aspx?c=A130102_150857_domaci_jw|title=Neuděloval bych ani milosti, ani amnestie, napsal čtenářům Zeman |last=Wirnitzer |first=Jan |date=3 January 2013 |work=[[Mladá fronta DNES]] |language=cs |access-date=27 January 2013 |quotation=Miloš Zeman byl členem KSČ v letech 1968&ndash;1970. "Ještě krátce po okupaci byla naděje, že demokratizační proces v tehdejším Československu bude pokračovat. Tato naděje vyhasla až právě v roce 1970," vysvětlil to politik, '''kterého vyloučili právě pro nesouhlas s okupací'''.}}</ref> He was dismissed from his job and spent more than ten years working for the sports organization Sportpropag (1971–84).<ref name="mladiMZ">{{cite web |first=Marcela |last=Jurková |url= http://zpravy.ihned.cz/politika/c1-59177640-zeman-kandidat-prezident |title=Profil mladého Zemana: Inteligentní samotář, který se vždy rád poslouchal |trans-title=Profile of the young Zeman: an intelligent loner, who always liked to listen |work=Hospodářské noviny |access-date=4 May 2017 |date=24 January 2013}}</ref> From 1984, he worked at the company Agrodat, but he lost his job again in 1989, as a result of a critical article he had written in ''Technický magazín'' in August 1989, entitled "Prognostika a přestavba" (Forecasting and Perestroika).<ref name="novinky"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/clanek.phtml?id=653326 |title=Byl mužem revoluce. 20 let poté Zemana nikam nepozvali |date=18 November 2009 |publisher=Aktuálně.cz |language=cs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://milos.chytrak.cz/1989/zeman-tm.php |first=Miloš |last=Zeman |title=Prognostika a přestavba |work=Technický magazín |date=August 1989 |access-date=24 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206065008/http://milos.chytrak.cz/1989/zeman-tm.php |archive-date=6 February 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Political activities before presidency==
In summer 1989, he appeared on [[Czechoslovak Television]] criticising the poor state of the Czechoslovak economy. His speech caused a scandal, but his views helped him join the leaders of the [[Civic Forum]] a few months later, during the [[Velvet Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/exkluzivne-na-ct24/62717-jisty-prognostik-si-dovolil-kritizovat-komunisticke-hospodarstvi/ |title="Jistý prognostik" si dovolil kritizovat komunistické hospodářství |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=[[Česká televize]] |language=cs |access-date=27 January 2013}}</ref>

In 1990 Zeman became a member of the House of the Nations of the Czechoslovak [[Federal Assembly (Czechoslovakia)|Federal Assembly]]. In 1992, he ran successfully for the House of the People of the Federal Assembly, already as a member of the [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Czechoslovak Social Democracy]] (ČSSD), which he joined the same year. In 1993, he was elected chairman of the party,<ref name="novinky"/> and in the following years he transformed it into one of the country's major parties.

The success of ČSSD in the [[1996 Czech legislative election|1996 legislative election]] allowed him to prevent his rival [[Václav Klaus]] and his [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (ODS) from forming a [[majority government]]. Zeman became the [[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]] and held this post until the [[1998 Czech legislative election|early election in 1998]].

In 1998, ČSSD won the election and Zeman became [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister]] of a [[minority government]], which he led for the next four years. In April 2001, he was replaced as leader by [[Vladimír Špidla]].<ref name="novinky"/> Zeman then retired and moved to live in the countryside in the [[Vysočina Region]]. He won [[Czech Social Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2002|a presidential primary in 2002]] to become the ČSSD nominee for president, but lost the [[2003 Czech presidential election|2003 presidential election]] to [[Václav Klaus]], due to party disunity. Zeman became an outspoken critic of his former party's leaders. He left ČSSD on 21 March 2007, due to conflicts with the party leader and chairman, [[Jiří Paroubek]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.ihned.cz/cesko/c1-20717420-zeman-ukoncil-clenstvi-v-cssd-kvuli-kauze-altner |title=Zeman ukončil členství v ČSSD kvůli kauze Altner |date=21 March 2007 |work=[[Hospodářské noviny]] |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref>

In October 2009, he founded a new party, [[Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lidovky.cz/zeman-miri-zpatky-do-politiky-ve-volbach-nastoupi-proti-paroubkovi-114-/zpravy-domov.aspx?c=A091231_105142_ln_domov_tai |title=Zeman míří zpátky do politiky. Ve volbách nastoupí proti Paroubkovi |date=31 December 2009 |work=[[Lidové noviny]] |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref> The party did not win any seats in the [[2010 Czech legislative election|2010]], [[2013 Czech legislative election|2013]] or [[2017 Czech legislative election|2017]] legislative elections.

==Presidency (2013–2023)==
{{See also|2013 Czech presidential election||2018 Czech presidential election}}
In February 2012 Miloš Zeman announced his return to politics and intention to run in the [[2013 Czech presidential election|first direct presidential election in the Czech Republic]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/politika/clanek.phtml?id=733055 |title=Miloš Zeman: Sežeňte podpisy a pokusím se znovu o Hrad |date=14 February 2012 |publisher=aktuálně.cz |language=cs |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref> Polls indicated that he was one of the two strongest candidates in the election, alongside [[Jan Fischer (politician)|Jan Fischer]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/fischer-zeman-favourites-of-czech-presidential-election-poll/833014 |title=Fischer, Zeman favourites of Czech presidential election – poll |date=27 August 2012 |publisher=[[ČTK]] |access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> Zeman narrowly won the first round of the elections and progressed to the second round to face [[Karel Schwarzenberg]], winning by a clearer margin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wirnitzer |first=Jan |title=Rozhodnuto. Zeman vyhrál, nezmění to už ani velká města |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/volba-prezidenta-0ej-/domaci.aspx?c=A130126_130102_domaci_jw |work=Mladá fronta DNES |date=26 January 2013 |access-date=26 January 2013}}</ref> His term began in March 2013.
[[File:Miloš Zeman and Bohumil Fišer, Brno, 2008 (5) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Zeman drinking wine and smoking at a public appearance in 2008]]
[[File:Miloš Zeman Senate of Poland.JPG|thumb|Zeman in the [[Senate of Poland]], 24 May 2013]]Zeman's alleged excessive alcohol consumption became a subject of public discussion and media attention on several occasions. Many Czechs believed he was drunk during his appearances at [[Czech TV]] headquarters, shortly after his victory in the 2013 presidential election, and during the exhibition of the [[Bohemian Crown Jewels]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/13/video-of-czech-president-staggering-through-ceremony-has-many-wondering-if-he-was-drunk/ |title=Video of Czech president staggering through ceremony has many wondering if he was drunk |last=Fisher |first=Max |date=13 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=28 May 2013}}</ref>

In May 2013, Zeman refused to grant a tenured professorship to [[literary historian]] [[Martin C. Putna]], due to Putna's appearance at 2011 Prague [[Pride parade|Gay Pride]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/469206/20130520/zeman-putna-czech-gay-university.htm |title=Czech Gay Pride Row Flares over President Milos Zeman's Snub of University Appointment |last=Bacchi |first=Umberto |date=20 May 2013 |work=[[International Business Times]] |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>

In June 2013, the [[Petr Nečas' Cabinet|coalition government]] led by [[Petr Nečas]] collapsed due to a [[2013 Czech political corruption scandal|corruption and spying scandal]]. Zeman, ignoring the political balance of power in the [[Czech Parliament]], appointed his friend and long-term ally [[Jiří Rusnok]] as [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister]], and tasked him with forming a [[Jiří Rusnok's Cabinet|new government]]. This was described in parts of the Czech and foreign media as a political power grab, undermining [[parliamentary democracy]] and expanding his powers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-zeman-idUSBRE9670NT20130708 |title=Czech president angers parties with power grab |last=Lopatka |first=Jan |date=8 July 2013 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=22 July 2013 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924182754/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/08/us-czech-zeman-idUSBRE9670NT20130708 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23258228|title=Jiri Rusnok, new Czech PM, faces instant opposition |last=Cameron |first=Rob |date=10 July 2013 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/world/europe/czech-president-swears-in-government-led-by-ally.html?ref=miloszeman&_r=0 |title=Czech Leader Swears in Interim Government |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |date=10 July 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2013/06/czech-politics-2 |title=Zeman's coup |date=26 June 2013 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> On 10 July, during the appointment of Rusnok's cabinet, Zeman advised the new cabinet members not to "let yourself get annoyed by media criticism from jealous fools who have never in their lives done anything useful".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lidovky.cz/nenechte-se-otravit-zavistivymi-hlupaky-popral-zeman-nove-vlade-ph5-/zpravy-domov.aspx?c=A130710_114000_ln_domov_khu |title=Nenechte se otrávit závistivými hlupáky, popřál Zeman nové vládě |date=10 July 2013 |work=Lidové noviny |language=cs |access-date=22 July 2013}} (''"Nenechte se otrávit mediální kritikou závistivých hlupáků, kteří nikdy nic sami nedokázali"'')</ref> Rusnok's government was short-lived, and resigned after losing a vote of confidence.

Zeman played an important role in a scandal that occurred in October 2013, shortly after the [[2013 Czech legislative election|Czech legislative election]]. ČSSD First Deputy Chairman [[Michal Hašek]] and his allies in the party called for chairman [[Bohuslav Sobotka]] to resign following the party's poor election result, and excluded him from the team negotiating the next government. However, it subsequently emerged that Hašek and his allies had attended a secret post-election meeting with Zeman, where they were rumoured to have negotiated a 'coup' in ČSSD. Hašek initially denied the accusations, stating on [[Česká televize|Czech Television]] that "there was no meeting". However, his allies (deputies [[Milan Chovanec]], [[Zdeněk Škromach]], Jeroným Tejc, and Jiří Zimola) later admitted that the meeting took place. The event sparked public protests in the country and eventually led to Hašek apologising and resigning his position in the party.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/sobotka-s-rival-hasek-leaves-czech-social-democrat-leadership/1005734 |title=Sobotka's rival Hasek leaves Czech Social Democrat leadership |date=8 November 2013 |work=[[ČTK]] |publisher=České noviny |access-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> Zeman denied having initiated the meeting. His [[Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci]] (SPOZ) received 1.5% of the vote in the election, winning no seats.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.volby.cz/pls/ps2013/ps2?xjazyk=CZ |title=Celkové výsledky hlasování - volby.cz |website=volby.cz|language=cs}}</ref>
[[File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind inspecting the Guard of Honour, during the ceremonial welcome, at 1st Courtyard, in Prague, Czech Republic.JPG|thumb|Zeman with Indian President [[Ram Nath Kovind]] on 7 September 2018]]
On 6 April 2014, in the wake of the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Crimea]], Zeman called for strong action to be taken, possibly including sending [[NATO]] forces into Ukraine, if Russia tried to annex the eastern part of the country. Speaking on a radio show he said that, "The moment Russia decides to widen its territorial expansion to the eastern part of Ukraine, that is where the fun ends. There I would plead not only for the strictest EU [[Economic sanctions|sanctions]], but even for military readiness of the [[North Atlantic Alliance]], like for example NATO forces entering Ukrainian territory." The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999, when Zeman was prime minister. In the Czech constitutional system it is the government that has the main responsibility for foreign policy, although the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The [[Czech Social Democratic Party|ČSSD]] government of [[Bohuslav Sobotka]] resisted strong EU sanctions against Russia after the annexation, because of the negative economic impact such sanctions would have had on the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-czech-idUSBREA350LY20140406 |title=Czech leader says NATO could offer troops to Ukraine if Russia goes beyond Crimea |date=6 April 2014 |work=Reuters |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924195551/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/06/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-czech-idUSBREA350LY20140406 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Demonstrace za slušné Česko – demise Andreje Babiše 2.jpg|thumb|Protest against Zeman in [[Prague]], 17 November 2018]] 
In November 2014, on the 25th anniversary of the 1989 [[Velvet Revolution]] against communist rule, protests took place calling for Zeman's resignation. Protesters argued that Zeman had betrayed the legacy of [[Václav Havel]], who helped Czechoslovakia and then Czech Republic become a champion of [[human rights]], by being too sympathetic to [[The Economist Democracy Index#List by country|authoritarian regimes]] and too close to [[Human rights in Russia|Russia]] and [[Human rights in China|China]]. They carried football-style [[Penalty card#Red card|red penalty cards]] as a warning of [[Ejection (sports)|ejection]] to Zeman and threw eggs at him.<ref name="BBC20141117">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30086495 |title=Czech president pelted with eggs on revolution anniversary |work=BBC News |date=17 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dw.com/en/czechs-honor-velvet-revolution-tell-president-zeman-to-resign/a-18069749 |title=Czechs honor Velvet Revolution, tell President Zeman to resign |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=17 November 2014 }}</ref>

An opinion poll conducted by the CVVM agency in March 2016 reported that 62% of Czechs trusted President Miloš Zeman,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.praguemonitor.com/2016/03/30/poll-zeman-trusted-record-62-czechs |title=Poll: Zeman trusted by record 62% of Czechs |work=Prague Daily Monitor |date=30 March 2016 }}</ref> up from 55% in September 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/poll-55-percent-express-trust-in-president |title=Poll: 55 percent express trust in president |publisher=[[Radio Prague]] |date=25 September 2015 }}</ref> By December 2016, his approval rating had fallen to 48% following a series of scandals, with around 49% of those surveyed stating that they didn't trust him.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/trust-in-president-falls-amid-series-of-scandals |title=Trust in president falls amid series of scandals |first=Jan |last=Velinger |publisher=Radio Prague |date=6 December 2016 |access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>

On 9 March 2017, during a meeting with his supporters, Zeman announced his intention to run again for the presidency,<ref>{{cite web |title=Budu znovu kandidovat, oznámil Zeman svým věrným na Hradě |url= https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/431678-budu-znovu-kandidovat-oznamil-zeman-svym-vernym-na-hrade.html |website=Novinky.cz |access-date=9 March 2017 |language=cs}}</ref> confirming his decision the next day in a press conference. He said that he had been persuaded by the support of the people. He stated that he did not think he was the favourite in the election, and that he would not run a political campaign, attack his rivals, or participate in debates.<ref>{{cite web |title=Necítím se jako favorit, řekl Zeman při oznámení kandidatury |url= https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/431710-necitim-se-jako-favorit-rekl-zeman-pri-oznameni-kandidatury.html |website=Novinky.cz |access-date=10 March 2017 |language=cs}}</ref> He also announced that he would participate in a television programme called ''A week with the President''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Přesvědčila mě podpora lidí, řekl Zeman. Debatám s protivníky se vyhne |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/zeman-kandidatura-prima-volba-prezidenta-2018-fe9-/domaci.aspx?c=A170310_095350_domaci_hro |website=iDNES.cz |access-date=10 March 2017 |date=10 March 2017|language=cs}}</ref>

On 26 March 2017, during a radio interview, Zeman stated that someone had placed [[child pornography]] onto a computer in the official residence. Zeman claimed that he had called "IT guys", who had found out that the hackers were from [[Alabama]] in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.seznam.cz/zpravy/clanek/prezident-zeman-nasel-detske-porno-ve-svem-pocitaci-jak-se-to-mohlo-stat-29418 |title= Prezident Zeman našel dětské porno ve svém počítači. Jak se to mohlo stát? |language= cs |access-date= 4 April 2017 |archive-date= 5 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073546/https://www.seznam.cz/zpravy/clanek/prezident-zeman-nasel-detske-porno-ve-svem-pocitaci-jak-se-to-mohlo-stat-29418 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Later, Zeman's spokesman added that "the President, like every night, googled his own name on the internet and one of the pages contained child pornography".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/zahada-porna-v-prezidentove-pocitaci-milos-zeman-si-googlova/r~989c992e187511e7a4bd0025900fea04/ |title=Zeman si jako každý večer hledal "Miloš Zeman", vysvětluje Hrad pornografii v prezidentově počítači |date=3 April 2017 |language=cs}}</ref> According to police, there was no evidence of a hacking attack on Zeman's computer.<ref name="pdm050417">{{cite news |title=No unlawful conduct in attack on Zeman's computer, police say |url= http://praguemonitor.com/2017/04/04/no-unlawful-conduct-attack-zemans-computer-police-say |access-date=5 April 2017 |work=Prague Daily Monitor |date=3 April 2017}}</ref>

Zeman decided to run for a second term and stood in the [[2018 Czech presidential election|presidential elections in 2018]]. Observers compared the election to other elections such as the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 United States]] and [[2017 French presidential election|2017 French]] presidential elections, which saw a [[Liberal internationalism|liberal internationalist]] and a [[right-wing populist]] running against each other.<ref name="Prague'sTurn"/><ref>{{cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Sheena |title=Why the Czech Presidential Election is One to Watch |url= https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/26/europe/why-czech-presidential-election-matters-intl/index.html |date=26 January 2018 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Czech Presidential Election Headed for Tight Run-Off Vote -Poll |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-election-president-poll/czech-presidential-election-headed-for-tight-run-off-vote-poll-idUSKBN1FA0P2 |date=21 January 2018 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=27 January 2018 |quote=The Jan. 26-27 second round echoes other elections in the past two years across the European Union as well as U.S. President Donald Trump’s battle with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the White House in 2016.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=Rob |title=Czech Election: Milos Zeman Wins the Battle of Ideas |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42848835 |date=27 January 2018 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> Zeman won the election with 51.37% in the second round.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/zeman-posbiral-pro-opetovnou-kandidaturu-na-prezidenta-uz-59/r~936aa014827d11e7b1a4002590604f2e/ |title=Zeman může znovu kandidovat. Jeho tým posbíral už přes 59 tisíc podpisů |work=Aktuálně.cz |language=cs |date=16 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://volby.idnes.cz/prezidentske-volby-2018.aspx?k=vysledky-druhe-kolo&t=8&o=7&kandidat=milos-zeman |title=Výsledky Miloše Zemana |publisher=Idnes.cz |date=27 January 2018 |access-date=27 January 2018|language=cs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/27/czech-president-milos-zeman-wins-second-term |title=Czech president Miloš Zeman wins second five-year term |author=Associated Press in Prague |date=27 January 2018 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref>

On 25 July 2019, the [[Senate of the Czech Republic|Senate]], for the first time in the history of the Czech Republic, approved and delivered to the [[Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]] articles of [[impeachment]] against President Zeman, related to eight instances where he had allegedly acted in breach of the [[Constitution of the Czech Republic|constitution]], including naming and dismissing cabinet ministers, interference in court cases, and acting against the [[Foreign relations of the Czech Republic|foreign interests of the Czech government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radio.cz/cz/rubrika/udalosti/navrh-ustavni-zaloby-na-prezidenta-prosel-v-senatu-o-tri-hlasy-na-rade-je-nyni-snemovna|title=Návrh ústavní žaloby na prezidenta prošel v Senátu o tři hlasy. Na řadě je nyní Sněmovna|website=Radio Prague International|date=25 July 2019|language=cs|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref> The Chamber of Deputies rejected indicting Zeman on 26 September 2019 with only 58 MPs voting for indictment out of 120 votes needed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/ustavni-zaloba-na-prezidenta-milos-zeman-snemovna_1909261015_zit|title=Pro 58, proti 62. Poslanci podle očekávání odmítli ústavní žalobu na prezidenta Zemana|website=iROZHLAS|date=26 September 2019 |language=cs|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref>

On 10 October 2021, the day after the [[2021 Czech legislative election]], Zeman was hospitalized, throwing the timeline for the start of government formation talks into doubt.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-10-10|title=Czech election: Milos Zeman in intensive care after vote|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58863671|access-date=2021-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Czech Republic in post-vote limbo after president takes sick|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/11/czech-republic-in-post-vote-limbo-with-president-gravely-ill|access-date=2021-10-11|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> After eight days with almost no details about Zeman's health condition from his spokesperson [[Jiří Ovčáček]] nor the head of the president's office Vratislav Mynář, [[President of the Senate of the Czech Republic|Senate President]] [[Miloš Vystrčil]] said at a press conference that he had received an update from the Central Military Hospital (UVN) and the President's chief physician Miroslav Zavoral that Zeman was "currently unable to perform any work duties due to health reasons".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-10-18|title=Czech lawmakers may strip hospitalized president of powers to end deadlock|work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/18/europe/czech-president-powers-election-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-10-18|title=Senate chair: Czech president unable to fulfil his duties|work=Radio Prague International|url=https://english.radio.cz/senate-chair-czech-president-unable-fulfil-his-duties-8731614|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> On 25 November Zeman was discharged from the hospital after his condition improved. The hospital said it would have preferred Zeman to remain hospitalized, but accepted his decision.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-10-25|title=Czech President Milos Zeman discharged from hospital|work=AP|url=https://apnews.com/article/health-europe-elections-prague-milos-zeman-7248c1298459578829ecee932ca88626|access-date=2021-11-25}}</ref> However, on the same day, he tested positive for [[COVID-19]] and thus returned to the hospital for two more days.<ref>{{cite web |title=Czech President Zeman returns to hospital after positive COVID test| url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/czech-president-zeman-released-hospital-2021-11-25/|work=Reuters |date=25 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=COVID-hit Czech President Milos Zeman discharged from hospital|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/27/covid-hit-czech-president-milos-zeman-discharged-from-hospital|work=aljazeera.com|date=27 November 2021|access-date=2023-01-16}}</ref>

On 19 October 2022, Zeman announced he would retire from politics at the end of his second term, in March 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Czech president announces retreat from politics|url=https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/zeman-announces-retreat-from-politics|work=expats.cz|date=19 October 2022|access-date=2023-01-16}}</ref>

==Post-presidency==
On 19 April 2023, Zeman opened a new office on Jaselská street in [[Prague 6]], rented from the [[Archbishop of Prague|Prague Archbishopric]]. He said he expects to welcome visitors once a week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Miloš Zeman otevřel svoji novou kancelář v Jaselské ulici. Pracovat bude jeden den v týdnu| url=https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/milos-zeman-nova-kancelar-jaselska-ulice-byvaly-prezident-renta-duchod_2304191340_ava|website=[[Czech Radio]]|language=cs|date=19 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|agency=[[Czech News Agency]]}}</ref> 

Speaking as a guest at the [[2024 Freedom and Direct Democracy leadership election|Freedom and Direct Democracy leadership election in April 2024]], Zeman stated his wish for the next Czech governing coalition to be composed of [[ANO 2011]] and [[Freedom and Direct Democracy]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Danda|first=Oldřich|title=Zeman: Jako občan si přeji vládu Babiše a Okamury| url=https://www.novinky.cz/clanek/domaci-zeman-jako-obcan-si-preji-vladu-babise-a-okamury-40467739|website=[[Novinky.cz]]|language=cs|date=13 April 2024|access-date=14 April 2024|publisher=Borgis}}</ref>

==Political views==
Zeman was considered a [[centre-left]] politician during his premiership and term as leader of the Social Democrats, but as president he began to be associated with [[far-right]] [[anti-immigration]] policies in response to the [[European migrant crisis]].<ref name="MullerHovet2018">{{cite web |last1=Muller |first1=Robert |last2=Hovet |first2=Jason |title=Czech President Zeman Re-Elected With Anti-Immigration Message |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-election-president/czech-president-zeman-re-elected-with-anti-immigration-message-idUSKBN1FG00C |date=26 January 2018 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> ''[[The Guardian]]'' described Zeman as "left-of-centre" in the run-up to the 2013 presidential election,<ref>{{cite news |title=Vladimir Franz: tattooed composer polling strongly in the Czech elections |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/09/vladimir-franz-tattooed-czech-elections |access-date=16 November 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=9 Jan 2013}}</ref> but as "far-right" and a [[populism|populist]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tait |first=Robert |title=Czech Republic Re-Elects Far-Right President Miloš Zeman |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/27/czech-republic-far-right-president-reelected |date=27 January 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' described him as a "right-wing populist" in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Janicek |first1=Karel |title=Czech election result: Right-wing populist incumbent Milos Zeman narrowly defeats scientist Jiri Drahos |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/czech-republic-election-president-milos-zeman-jiri-drahos-result-latest-vote-a8181216.html |access-date=2 June 2022 |agency=The Independent |date=27 January 2018 }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Zeman as a "populist leftist" in 2016.<ref name=BilefskyInfluential>{{cite news |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |title=Czech Man Is Charged With Attempted Terrorism |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/world/europe/czech-man-attempted-terrorism.html?ref=world |access-date=3 August 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 August 2016}}</ref> Other outlets have simply labeled Zeman a populist.<ref name="Prague'sTurn">{{cite web |last=Mortkowitz |first=Siegfried |title=Prague's Turn for Populist Vs. Liberal Showdown |url= https://www.politico.eu/article/milos-zeman-jiri-drahos-czech-election-prague-turn-for-populist-vs-liberal-showdown/ |date=26 January 2018 |publisher=[[Politico]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="IrishTimes2018">{{cite news |title=Populist Miloš Zeman Wins Czech Presidential Election |url= https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/populist-milo%C5%A1-zeman-wins-czech-presidential-election-1.3371064 |date=27 January 2018 |publisher=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |title=Czech Republic Re-elects Milos Zeman, Populist Leader and Foe of Migrants |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/27/world/europe/czech-election-milos-zeman.html |date=27 January 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> He has been compared to former United States president [[Donald Trump]] by Western press, and [[List of Donald Trump presidential campaign endorsements, 2016#International political figures|endorsed]] Trump's [[2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign|2016 presidential campaign]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Janda |first=Jakob |title=Are Czechs about to reelect the Trumpiest president in Europe? |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/democracy-post/wp/2018/01/23/are-czechs-about-to-reelect-the-trumpiest-president-in-europe/ |date=23 January 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Muller |first=Robert |title=Trump's Czech Admirer Zeman Weighs Presidential Re-Election Bid |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-zeman/trumps-czech-admirer-zeman-weighs-presidential-re-election-bid-idUSKBN16E1VO |date=7 March 2017 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shaw |first=Adam |title=Pro-Trump Czech President Who Warned of 'Organized Invasion' of Migrants Wins Re-Election |url= https://www.foxnews.com/world/pro-trump-czech-president-who-warned-of-organized-invasion-of-migrants-wins-re-election/ |date=27 January 2018 |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="HowEuroTrump">{{cite web |last=Mortkowitz |first=Siegfried |title=How (the European) Trump Won a Second Term |url= https://www.politico.eu/article/milos-zeman-czech-republic-how-the-european-donald-trump-won-a-second-term/ |date=28 January 2018 |publisher=[[Politico]] |access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> and endorsed him once again in [[Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign|2024]].

===China===
[[File:2016 Czech Demonstration Against Communist party China & its dictator in Prague with National Flags of TAIWAN & Tibet 反中示威與臺灣&圖博國旗在捷克.jpg|thumb|2016 demonstration against Zeman and China in Prague with picture of late President [[Václav Havel]] and Tibetan religious leader [[14th Dalai Lama]] with flags of [[Tibet]] and [[Taiwan]]]]
In 2014, he attracted criticism when he said he wished to learn how China had "stabilized" its society.<ref name="BBC20141117"/> In 2016 he invited Chinese president [[Xi Jinping]] on a state visit, which sparked a wave of protest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tibetanreview.net/with-tibetan-flags-opposition-leaders-lead-czech-protest-against-visiting-chinese-president-xi/ |title=With Tibetan flags, opposition leaders lead Czech protest against visiting Chinese President Xi|publisher=Tibetan Review|date=2016-03-31}}</ref> He labeled [[Tibetan independence movement|pro-Tibet]] protestors "mentally impaired individuals" and used police to prevent protesters from reaching Prague Castle. Police also entered a building of the [[Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague|Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts]] (FAMU) to remove a Tibetan flag which had been hung out of a window.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lhasadaily.com/opinion/25-views-analysis/886-tibet-symbolism-and-the-czech-republic|title=Tibet, symbolism and the Czech Republic|publisher=Tibet Digital Times|date=2016-04-28}}</ref> [[Finance Minister of the Czech Republic|Finance Minister]] [[Miroslav Kalousek]] accused Zeman of "bootlicking authoritarian and unfree regimes".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/protests-as-china-s-xi-arrives-in-prague/article/461339|title=Protests as China's Xi arrives in Prague|publisher=Digital Journal|date=2016-03-28}}</ref> Those actions were seen by critics as a contravention of Czech society's [[freedom of expression]], and protests were held by at least 50 members of the two chambers of the [[Parliament of the Czech Republic|Parliament]], opposition leaders and [[civil society]] groups as well as hundreds of supporters of [[Taiwan]], [[Tibet]], and Turkic [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] separatists in [[Xinjiang]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/fifty-legislators-meet-with-the-dalai-lama-in-the-czech-senate-criticize-statement-by-high-officials|title=Fifty legislators meet with the Dalai Lama in the Czech Senate, criticize statement by high officials|publisher=[[:cs:ROMEA|ROMEA]]|date=2016-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/04/01/czech-opposition-party-leader-flags-up-tibet-during-chinese-leaders-visit/|title=Czech opposition party leader flags up Tibet during Chinese leader's visit|publisher=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|date= 2016-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/international/4945-hundreds-of-supporters-protest-xis-czech-visit-call-for-free-tibet|title=Hundreds of supporters protest Xi's Czech visit, call for free Tibet|publisher=[[Tibet Post International]]|date=2016-03-30}}</ref>

Zeman appointed [[Ye Jianming]], the founder and chairman of [[CEFC China Energy]], as his economic adviser.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cefc-china/chinas-cefc-has-big-ambitions-but-little-known-about-ownership-funding-idUSKBN14X0B5|title=China's CEFC has big ambitions, but little known about ownership, funding|publisher=Reuters|date=13 January 2017}}</ref> The company is linked to the [[People's Liberation Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e3f8cbd2-983f-11e7-a652-cde3f882dd7b|title=Opaque Chinese oil group makes clear gains in former Soviet bloc|publisher=Financial Times|date=13 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2072726/whos-39-year-old-paying-hk14-billion-three-office-floors|title=Who's that 39-year-old paying HK$1.4 billion for three office floors?|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=21 February 2017}}</ref> CEFC China Energy acquired multiple assets in the Czech Republic, including travel agencies and media companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/czech-china-cefc/update-1-chinas-cefc-adds-to-czech-buying-spree-with-airline-brewery-deals-idUSL5N11B05120150905|title=China's CEFC adds to Czech buying spree with airline, brewery deals|publisher=Reuters|date=5 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jtfg-cefc/chinas-cefc-hits-regulatory-hurdle-in-pursuit-of-czech-jtfg-stake-source-idUSKBN1ES1S5|title=China's CEFC hits regulatory hurdle in pursuit of Czech JTFG stake: source|publisher=Reuters|date=3 January 2018}}</ref>

===Gun control===
{{see also|Gun laws in the Czech Republic}}

In 2016, following a number of terror attacks around Europe, Zeman joined a number of other Czech politicians and security professionals in urging the 240,000 gun owners in the country with concealed carry licences to carry their firearms, in order to be able to contribute to the protection of [[soft target]]s. Zeman's wife also obtained a concealed carry license and a revolver.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.blesk.cz/clanek/zpravy-politika/410026/ivana-zemanova-uz-ma-revolver-prezident-vyzval-cechy-ke-zbrojeni-proti-teroru.html |title=Ivana Zemanová už má revolver. Prezident vyzval Čechy ke zbrojení proti teroru [Ivana Zeman obtained a revolver. President calls Czechs to arm themselves against terrorism] |publisher=Blesk.cz |language=cs |date=31 July 2016 |access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>

===European Union===
{{See also|Euroscepticism in the Czech Republic}}
Zeman has expressed both supportive and critical positions regarding the [[European Union]]. As prime minister, he helped bring the Czech Republic into the EU,<ref name="RFERL">{{cite web |title=Czechs Reelect Populist, Russia-Friendly President In Tight Race |url= https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-zeman-wins-reelection-drahos/29001912.html |date=28 January 2018 |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> and he has described himself as a "federalist" who supports EU membership.<ref name="MullerHovet2018"/><ref name="3April2013Reuters">{{cite web |title=Czech President Raises EU Flag to Signal Change from Klaus Era |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-czech/czech-president-raises-eu-flag-to-signal-change-from-klaus-era-idUSBRE9320DK20130403 |date=3 April 2013 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=29 January 2018}}</ref> Before becoming president, he promised to fly the [[flag of Europe]] at [[Prague Castle]],<ref>{{cite news |author=B.C. |title=What Kind of President will Miloš Zeman Be? |url= https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2013/02/czech-politics |date=13 February 2013 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> something that Zeman's predecessor, [[Václav Klaus]], refused to do; he did so shortly after taking office.<ref name="3April2013Reuters"/><ref name="Richter2013">{{cite web |last=Richter |first=Jan |title=President Zeman Hoists EU Flag at Prague Castle |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/president-zeman-hoists-eu-flag-at-prague-castle |date=3 April 2013 |publisher=[[Czech Radio]] |access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Janicek2013">{{cite news |last=Janicek |first=Karel |title=EU Flag Flies Over Prague Castle, Not All Happy |url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/eu-flag-flies-over-prague-castle-not-all-happy/ |date=4 April 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]] |access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> On the same day, Zeman ratified the [[Treaty Establishing the European Stability Mechanism]], which Klaus had also refused to do, making the Czech Republic the last country to do so.<ref name="Richter2013"/><ref name="Janicek2013"/> In June 2017, Zeman stated that Czech people are "irrationally afraid" of adopting the Euro as the Czech Republic's currency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zeman Says Czechs are Irrationally Afraid of Euro Adoption |url=http://praguemonitor.com/2017/06/23/zeman-says-czechs-are-irrationally-afraid-euro-adoption |date=23 June 2017 |work=[[Prague Daily Monitor]] |access-date=29 January 2018 |archive-date=29 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129185753/http://praguemonitor.com/2017/06/23/zeman-says-czechs-are-irrationally-afraid-euro-adoption |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Despite his pro-EU statements and actions, Zeman supports holding a referendum on Czech EU membership similar to the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|Brexit referendum]] held in the [[United Kingdom]] in 2016.<ref name="MullerHovet2018"/><ref name="Czexit">{{cite news |last=John |first=Tara |title=Is 'Czexit' Next? President of Czech Republic Calls for EU Referendum |url= https://time.com/4391005/czexit-milos-zeman-referendum-nato-eu-czech/ |date=1 July 2016 |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> He also has been labelled a [[Euroscepticism|Eurosceptic]] and opposes the EU's migrant quotas.<ref name="Prague'sTurn"/><ref name="IrishTimes2018"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Day |first=Matthew |title=Pro-Russia Czech President Milos Zeman Wins Second Term |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/27/pro-russia-czech-president-milos-zemen-wins-second-term/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/27/pro-russia-czech-president-milos-zemen-wins-second-term/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=27 January 2018 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Some of his critics have accused him of having pro-Russia leanings, favouring it over the EU.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santora |first1=Marc |last2=de Goeij |first2=Hana |title=In Czech Election, a Choice Between Leaning East or West |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/14/world/europe/czech-election-populism-milos-zeman.html |date=14 January 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref>

===Environment and climate change===
Like his predecessor and former opponent [[Václav Klaus]], Zeman is a [[climate change denier]]. He has said that in his opinion, human activity probably cannot influence global warming.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/klaus-o-globalnim-oteplovani-dis-/domaci.aspx?c=A120821_151609_zahranicni_jw |title=Fanatici, sepsul Klaus "oteplovače". A dočkal se uznání od klimatologa |last=Wirnitzer |first=Jan |date=22 August 2012 |work=[[Mladá fronta DNES]] |language=cs |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>

When the environmental movement [[Hnutí DUHA]] tried to protect a national park from illegal logging, Zeman said he would treat them in a "good old medieval way: burn them, piss on them and salt them".<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/15/milos-zeman-czech-republic-president-populists-post-communist |last=Patočka |first=Jakub |title=Miloš Zeman makes Nigel Farage look like a nice guy. It's even worse than that |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 September 2016 |access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref>

===Israel===
[[File:Reuven Rivlin in a state dinner in honor of President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman and his wife. November 2018 (Rivlin-Zeman2).jpg|thumb|Zeman and Israeli President [[Reuven Rivlin]] in a state dinner in honor of Zeman, [[Jerusalem]], Israel, 26 November 2018]] 
{{See also|Czech Republic–Israel relations}}
Zeman is a long-standing supporter of the State of [[Israel]].<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://zpravy.e15.cz/milos-zeman-volby-2018 |title=Volby 2018: Miloš Zeman, kandidát na prezidenta|work=Zprávy E15.cz |access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref> Zeman was one of the most prominent international leaders to support the [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital|U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital]] under President [[Donald Trump]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Adam |title=Who supports Trump on Jerusalem? Europe's anti-Islam politicians. |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/11/who-supports-trump-on-jerusalem-europes-anti-islam-politicians/ |date=11 December 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> and he voiced support for following the US in moving its Israeli embassy to [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Landau |first=Noa |title=Czech Republic Wants to Move Embassy to Jerusalem, 'Truly Happy' With Trump's Declaration |url= https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/czech-republic-wants-to-move-embassy-to-jerusalem-truly-happy-with-trump-s-declaration-1.5628122 |date=8 December 2017 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> He criticized the EU's position on Jerusalem, calling its member states "cowards" and stating that they "are doing all they can so a pro-Palestinian terrorist movement can have supremacy over a pro-Israeli movement."<ref>{{cite news |last=Lazaroff |first=Tovah |title=EU's Anti-Israel Stance on Jerusalem is 'Cowardice,' Czech President Says |url= http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/EUs-anti-Israel-stance-on-Jerusalem-is-cowardice-Czech-president-says-517577 |date=10 December 2017 |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Czech Leader Slams EU 'Cowards' on Jerusalem Stance |url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/czech-leader-slams-eu-cowards-on-jerusalem-stance/ |date=10 December 2017 |newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]] |access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref>

Zeman ordered the [[Flag of Israel|Israeli flag]] to fly at the [[Prague Castle]] to show support for Israel amid the [[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/czech-republic-flies-israeli-flag-over-prague-castle-support-nation-amid-palestinian-clashes-1591636?amp=1|title=Czech Republic flies Israeli flag over Prague Castle in support of nation amid Palestinian clashes|website=[[Newsweek]]|date=14 May 2021}}</ref>

===LGBTQ===
In June 2021, Zeman described transgender people as "disgusting" in a TV interview, and said that Pride protests were minorities trying to put themselves on a superior footing to others. He also said that if he were younger, he would organize a counter-demonstration of heterosexuals. He also said during the interview that he supported recent laws passed in [[Hungary]] banning the mention of LGBTQ issues in the education system.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-06-28|title=Milos Zeman: Czech president calls transgender people 'disgusting'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57635373|access-date=2021-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Czech President Milos Zeman says transgender people 'disgust' him in interview|date=28 June 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/06/28/czech-republic-president-milos-zeman-transgender-ctw-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn|access-date=2021-08-14}}</ref>

===Kosovo===
Zeman is opposed to having a Czech embassy in [[Republic of Kosovo|Kosovo]]. He said that he is against the [[recognition of Kosovo]], and has described it as a "[[terror regime]] financed by the illegal drug trade".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/zeman-by-jmenoval-vladu-oprenou-o-kscm-dhk-/domaci.aspx?c=A121104_133347_domaci_zt |title=Zeman: Vládu s podílem KSČM jmenuji, přejí-li si to voliči |language=cs |date=4 November 2012 |work=Mladá fronta DNES}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/364191/Zeman-Kosovo-teroristicki-rezim |title=Zeman: Kosovo teroristički režim |language=sr |date=23 January 2013 |publisher=Blic}}</ref> Whilst visiting [[Belgrade]] in 2014, he stated his opposition to the formation of an independent Kosovan army, equating it to the [[Kosovo Liberation Army]] (KLA). He commented on the history of terrorist acts committed by the KLA, and noted that its disbanding was a component of the peace agreements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kosovo army would be rearmed KLA – Czech president |url= http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2014&mm=04&dd=03&nav_id=89869 |access-date=21 March 2015 |agency=Beta |publisher=B92 |date=3 April 2014}}</ref> During the same visit, he said he hoped [[Serbia]] would join the [[European Union]] soon.<ref name=Belehrad2014>{{cite news |title=Zeman: Doufám, že se vstupu Srbska do EU dožiju |url= http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/svet/268165-zeman-doufam-ze-se-vstupu-srbska-do-eu-doziju/ |access-date=21 March 2015 |publisher=Česká Televize |date=1 April 2014 |language=cs}}</ref>

===Middle East and views on Islam===
Zeman has expressed concern about the growth of [[Islamic terrorism]] and of [[ISIL]].<ref name=BilefskyInfluential/> In June 2011, Zeman said, referring to Islam, "The enemy is the anti-civilization spreading from North Africa to Indonesia. Two billion people live in it and it is financed partly from oil sales and partly from drug sales." He likened Muslims who believe in the [[Qur'an]] to followers of [[Nazism]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/145596 |title=Former Czech Leader Charged for Calling Islam an Enemy |first=Tzvi |last=Ben Gedalyahu |publisher=Arutz Sheva |date=11 July 2011 |access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref>

Zeman called for unified armed operation against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] (ISIL) led by the [[United Nations Security Council|U.N. Security Council]]. In June 2015, Zeman commented that: "If European countries accept a wave of migrants, there will be terrorist groups among them, of which also a Libyan minister has warned. By accepting the migrants, we strongly facilitate Islamic State’s expansion to Europe."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/48577-zeman-accepting-refugees-plays-into-is-hands |title=Zeman: Accepting refugees plays into Islamic State's hands |work=The Prague Post |date=28 June 2015 }}</ref> Zeman described the [[European migrant crisis|Middle Eastern refugees arriving in Europe]] as an "organized invasion".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://news.yahoo.com/czech-leader-calls-migrant-wave-europe-organised-invasion-193015933.html |title=Czech leader calls migrant wave in Europe an 'organised invasion'|work=Yahoo News|date=27 December 2015|access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> In September 2015, Zeman rejected the [[European Union]]'s proposal of [[European migrant crisis#Relocation and resettlement of asylum seekers|compulsory migrant quotas]], saying, "Only the future will show that this was a big mistake".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.praguepost.com/eu-news/49894-president-pm-opposition-reject-latest-eu-refugee-quotas |title=President, PM, opposition reject latest EU refugee quotas |work=The Prague Post |date=22 September 2015 }}</ref>

Zeman said that [[Turkey]] should not be in the European Union and criticised Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Erdoğan]]'s anti-European rhetoric.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zeman says Erdogan's words show Turkey has no place in EU |url=http://praguemonitor.com/2017/03/23/zeman-says-erdogans-words-show-turkey-has-no-place-eu |work=Prague Daily Monitor |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=27 August 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804010544/http://praguemonitor.com/2017/03/23/zeman-says-erdogans-words-show-turkey-has-no-place-eu |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also accused Turkey of allying with [[ISIL]] in its fight against Syrian Kurds.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey condemns Czech president accusation it is ally of IS |url=https://www.apnews.com/446c5495ec8341c2bba2c0705829d5f7 |work=Associated Press |date=20 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey foreign ministry denounces claims of President Miloš Zeman |url=https://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/turkey-foreign-ministry-denounces-claims-of-president-milos-zeman |work=Radio Prague |date=21 March 2019}}</ref>

===United States and NATO===
 
Zeman, who played a role in the Czech Republic's accession to NATO,<ref name="RFERL"/> has called for a referendum on NATO membership, though he supports remaining in the organization.<ref name="Czexit"/> In November 2012, during a speech at the [[University of Economics, Prague]], Zeman explained his dislike for [[Madeleine Albright]], former [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]]. Zeman stated that Albright had promised that there would be no bombardment of civilians during the 1999 [[NATO bombing of Serbia]]. "And Madeleine Albright made a promise, and Madeleine Albright didn't keep the promise. Since then, I don't like her."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.parlamentnilisty.cz/arena/monitor/Zeman-Madlenka-Albrightova-to-slibila-a-nedodrzela-Nemam-ji-rad-252009 |title=Zeman: Madlenka Albrightová to slíbila a nedodržela. Nemám ji rád |language=cs |date=1 November 2012 |publisher= Parlamentní Listy}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2016}}
[[File:Secretary Pompeo Meets with Czech President Zeman (50220105697).jpg|thumb|Zeman with U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] on 12 August 2020]]

In March 2015, Zeman criticised protests against the US Army's military convoy (called the "[[Operation Dragoon Ride|Dragoon Ride]]") crossing the Czech Republic following NATO exercises in Poland and the Baltic states:<ref>{{cite news |title=Zeman: US convoy troops are no occupation army |url= http://www.praguemonitor.com/2015/03/25/zeman-us-convoy-troops-are-no-occupation-army |access-date=5 April 2015 |newspaper=Prague Daily Monitor |date=25 March 2015}}</ref>
{{quote|"In the past months I have been fighting anti-Russian fools, but most recently I have had to fight anti-American fools as well, since fools are evenly spread on both sides. ... I disagree with the U.S. troops being labelled an occupation army for one simple reason. We experienced occupation twice last century [1939 and 1968] and we know what it looks like."|Miloš Zeman}}
On 18 May 2021, during a visit by the president of Serbia, [[Aleksandar Vučić]], Zeman apologized to Serbia for the 1999 NATO bombing, describing it as a "mistake and worse than a crime".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zeman se izvinio Srbiji za NATO bombardovanje 1999. godine - Politika - Dnevni list Danas|date=18 May 2021 |url=https://www.danas.rs/politika/vucic-u-ceskoj-prva-poseta-zemanu-od-izbijanja-pandemije/|access-date=2021-05-18|language=sr}}</ref>

===Poland=== 
{{See also|Czech Republic–Poland relations}} 
[[File:Wizyta prezytenta Republiki Czeskiej w KPRM (28144292248).jpg|thumb|Zeman with Polish Prime Minister [[Mateusz Morawiecki]] in Warsaw, on 10 May 2018]]
In March 2016, Zeman defended [[Poland]]'s newly elected [[Law and Justice]] government, saying: “I expressed the view that the Polish government, which was created as a result of free elections, has every right to carry out activities for which it received a mandate in these elections. It should not be subject to moralising or criticism from the European Union, which should finally focus on its primary task – to protect the external borders of the Union.”<ref>"[http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/244795,Other-countries-should-not-interfere-with-our-internal-issues-Polish-president Other countries should not interfere with our internal issues: Polish president]". Radio Poland. 15 March 2016.</ref><ref>"[http://lodzpost.com/polishnews/president-duda-other-countries-should-not-interfere-with-our-internal-affairs/ President Duda: Other countries should not interfere with our internal affairs]". Łódź Post.</ref>

===Russia=== 
{{See also|Czech Republic–Russia relations}}
[[File:Встреча Владимира Путина с Президентом Чехии Милошем Земаном 5.jpg|thumb|Zeman meets with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in Moscow on 8 May 2015]]
Zeman described the [[war in Donbas]] as "a civil war between two groups of Ukrainian citizens" with foreign support,<ref name=AFP141117/> and compared it to the [[Spanish Civil War]].<ref>"[http://zpravy.idnes.cz/zeman-prirovnal-ukrajinskou-krizi-k-obcanske-valce-ve-spanelsku-px6-/zahranicni.aspx?c=A141009_165206_zahranicni_mlb Na Ukrajině je občanská válka jako v 30. letech ve Španělsku, řekl Zeman]" (in Czech). ''iDNES.cz.'' 9 October 2014.</ref> Regarding the [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]], he noted that the [[Kosovo precedent]] was used as an argument for the separation of Crimea from Ukraine.<ref name=Belehrad2014/>

Zeman announced that he intended to visit Moscow for the 2015 [[Victory Day (9 May)|Victory Day]] celebrations and the 70th anniversary of the liberation from [[Nazi Germany]]. He said that he was not going to look at military equipment, but rather to honour the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives. He described his visit to Moscow as an "expression of thankfulness that we in this country don't have to speak German, if we would have become submissive collaborators of Aryan origin", and that "we don't have to say ''Heil [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]]'', ''Heil [[Heinrich Himmler|Himmler]]'', ''Heil [[Hermann Göring|Göring]]'', and eventually ''Heil [[Reinhard Heydrich|Heydrich]]'', that would have been particularly interesting".<ref>{{cite news |title=Díky Moskvě nemusíme říkat Heil Hitler, hájí účast na přehlídce Zeman |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/diky-moskve-tu-nemusime-mluvit-nemecky-haji-ucast-na-prehlidce-zeman-1iu-/domaci.aspx?c=A150329_192238_domaci_kha |access-date=31 March 2015 |agency=ČTK |work=Mladá fronta DNES |date=29 March 2015 |language=cs}}</ref> Most other EU leaders declared that they would not attend the events due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32668511 |title=Russia stages massive WW2 parade despite Western boycott |date=9 May 2015 |access-date=4 May 2017 |website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Zeman jede na Putinovu vojenskou přehlídku. Je jediný z Evropské unie |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/zeman-je-jediny-kdo-navstivi-vojenskou-prehlidku-v-moskve-pnn-/zahranicni.aspx?c=A150312_200803_zahranicni_kha |access-date=31 March 2015 |agency=ČTK |work=Mladá fronta DNES |date=31 March 2015|language=cs}}</ref> [[United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic|U.S. ambassador]] [[Andrew H. Schapiro]] criticized the decision, saying that it would "be awkward" if Zeman was the only politician from the EU at the ceremony. Zeman responded by banning him from the [[Prague Castle]].<ref name=BBC_Schapiro>{{cite news |title=US ambassador barred from Prague Castle by Czech president |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32189757 |access-date=5 April 2015 |publisher=BBC |date=5 April 2015}}</ref>{{quote|"I cannot imagine that the Czech ambassador in Washington would advise the US president where he should travel. And I will not allow any ambassador to have a say in my foreign travel plans."|Miloš Zeman}}

The ban was later lifted by Zeman's office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.rozhlas.cz/zpravy/politika/_zprava/1475427 |title=Zavřené dveře pro velvyslance USA platily pro konkrétní schůzku, říká Kmoníček |date=7 April 2015 |publisher=[[Czech Radio]] |language=cs |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417120854/http://m.rozhlas.cz/zpravy/politika/_zprava/1475427 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{when|date=May 2022}}

In December 2019, Zeman criticised Russian protests against the Czech decision to recognise the anniversary of the Soviet-led [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia]] in 1968 as a day commemorating the victims, describing it as "absolute insolence".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/czech-leader-slams-russias-insolence-over-1968-1312026|title=Czech leader slams Russia's 'insolence' over 1968|work=CNA|date=28 December 2019|access-date=October 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/president-zeman-considering-cancelling-visit-to-russia-over-insolent-statement-from-moscow|title=President Zeman considering cancelling visit to Russia over "insolent" statement from Moscow|work=Radio Prague International|date=28 December 2019|access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref>

In April 2021, Zeman cast doubt on Russia's involvement in the [[2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions]], suggesting that the deadly blast could have been caused accidentally due to the mishandling of explosives, and that there was no conclusive evidence to accuse Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2021-04-26|title=Czech president 'casts doubt over' Russian involvement in deadly blast|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/26/czech-president-casts-doubt-over-russian-involvement-in-deadly-blast|access-date=2021-05-06|website=[[Euronews]]}}</ref> In response, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in [[Prague]] on 29 April 2021, calling Zeman "a servant" of Russia, and demanding he be tried for treason.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-29|title=Czech Protesters Ask Senate to Charge President Milos Zeman With Treason Over Support for Russia|url=https://www.newsweek.com/czech-protesters-ask-senate-charge-president-milos-zeman-treason-over-support-russia-1587590|access-date=2021-05-06|website=[[Newsweek]]|first=Natalie|last=Colarossi}}</ref>

In response to the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Zeman called for Russia to be cut off from [[SWIFT]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/czech-president-russia-cut-off-102059014.html|title=Czech president: Russia should be cut off from SWIFT|website=Yahoo.com|agency=Reuters|access-date=2022-02-24}}</ref> He condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and called for tough sanctions to isolate "the madman" Putin.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Zeman: Russian invasion of Ukraine "crime against peace" |url=https://english.radio.cz/zeman-russian-invasion-ukraine-crime-against-peace-8742934 |work=Czech Radio |date=24 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="award">{{cite news |title=Czech president to award state honour to Ukraine's president |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/czech-president-award-state-honour-ukraines-president-2022-03-07/ |work=Reuters |date=7 March 2022}}</ref> On 1 March 2022, eight former signatories of [[Charter 77]] including [[Petr Pithart]] and [[Anna Šabatová]] called on Zeman to resign over his previous support for Putin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.radio.cz/charter-signatories-call-zeman-abdicate-over-support-putin-8743500|title=Charter signatories call on Zeman to abdicate over support for Putin|work=Radio Prague International|date=1 March 2022|access-date=2 March 2022}}</ref>

===Ukraine=== 
{{See also|Czech Republic–Ukraine relations}}
In 2015, Zeman, in response to a letter from a group of Czech and Ukrainian historians defending [[Stepan Bandera]], leader of the [[Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists]] (OUN), wrote: "I would like to point out that President Yushchenko declared Bandera a national hero, and a similar declaration in the case of [[Roman Shukhevych]], who became known to have shot thousands of Jews in Lvov in 1941, is now being prepared. I can not congratulate Ukraine on such national heroes."<ref>"[http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/zeman-ukrajine-k-hrdinum-jako-je-bandera-blahoprat-nemohu_329493.html Zeman: Ukrajině k hrdinům, jako je Bandera, blahopřát nemohu]" (in Czech). Týden. 8 January 2015.</ref>

On 7 March 2022, Zeman decided to award Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] with the highest state award of the Czech Republic, the [[Order of the White Lion]], for "his bravery and courage in the face of Russia's invasion".<ref name="award"/>

==Criticism and controversies==
[[File:Němcová Zeman.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Zeman (right) and [[Miroslava Němcová]], former [[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]] (May 2013). In June 2013, the [[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|Civic Democratic Party]] (the leading party of the parliamentary coalition government) nominated her for the post of the [[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister]]; however, Zeman refused to appoint her and instead chose his long-time ally and friend [[Jiří Rusnok]]]]
[[File:Demonstrace Chci si s vami promluvit, pane prezidente na Národní třídě, 2014 (21).JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Czechs showing [[Penalty card#Red card|red cards]] to the President during the protest named "I Want to Talk to You, Mr. President", on 17 November 2014, the 25th anniversary of the [[Velvet Revolution]].]]

In 1996, before the [[1996 Czech legislative election|legislative election]], Zeman met with Czech-Swiss entrepreneur Jan Vízek in the German city of [[Bamberg]]. In the so-called "Bamberg Memorandum", a group of Swiss entrepreneurs allegedly agreed to fund the ČSSD pre-election campaign in exchange for economic influence in the Czech Republic after the election. The investigation ended in 2000, with Vízek convicted of falsification of the memorandum by copying signatures from earlier documents. He later admitted that he had intentionally publicised the case in order to compromise Zeman before the [[1998 Czech legislative election|next elections in 1998]]. Zeman was never charged with any wrongdoing, but the reason for the meetings between Zeman and Vízek in 1996 was never revealed.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/vysetrovatele-v-kauze-bamberg-potvrdili-dva-roky-jasnou-vec-prn-/domaci.aspx?c=A000120152336domaci_jkl |title=Vyšetřovatelé v kauze Bamberg potvrdili dva roky jasnou věc |date=20 January 2000 |work=Mladá fronta DNES |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref>

In 1999, one of Zeman's advisers, Jaroslav Novotný, allegedly blackmailed the director of the state-owned Štiřín Castle, Václav Hrubý. Novotný allegedly pressured him to falsify evidence in order to prove that former Foreign Minister [[Josef Zieleniec]] corrupted journalists.{{clarify|date=February 2017}} The police confirmed the blackmail, but no charges were ever brought.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/spolecnost/clanek.phtml?id=628813|title=Stát chce prodat zámek Štiřín. Cena 100 milionů |last=Slonková |first=Sabina |date=5 February 2009 |publisher=aktuálně.cz |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref>

Zeman has been criticized for his contacts with the powerful Czech lobbyist [[Miroslav Šlouf]], formerly his chief adviser. While Zeman was prime minister, Šlouf maintained contact with the controversial entrepreneur [[František Mrázek]], nicknamed the "Godfather of Czech Organized Crime". Šlouf and Mrázek met and exchanged information at the Office of the Czech Government.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/slouf-financuje-navrat-zemana-do-politiky-odkud-bere-penize-pqr-/domaci.aspx?c=A081007_222844_domaci_abr |title=Šlouf financuje návrat Zemana do politiky. Odkud bere peníze? |last1=Šťastný |first1=Ondřej |last2=Syrovátka |first2=Tomáš |date=8 October 2008 |work=Mladá fronta DNES |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref> Mrázek was assassinated in 2006. In leaked wiretapping records, he nicknames Zeman ''mlha'' ("[[fog]]") and claims that Zeman "could not be bribed, and wanted only a sandwich, three pickles and for people to like him."<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/world/europe/former-prime-minister-is-elected-president-of-czech-republic.html |title=Former Prime Minister Is Elected President of Czech Republic |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |date=26 January 2013 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref> In 2010, Šlouf and Martin Nejedlý, a representative of the Russian oil company [[LUKoil]] in the Czech Republic, were the main donors to his [[Party of Civic Rights – Zemanovci]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/domaci/78210-zemanovu-stranu-sponzoruje-jednatel-z-ruskeho-lukoilu/ |title=Zemanovu stranu sponzoruje jednatel z ruského Lukoilu |date=18 January 2010 |publisher=Česká televize |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref> but Zeman denied that he had any connection with Lukoil.<ref name = "MF" />

In 2002, German chancellor [[Gerhard Schröder]] cancelled an official visit to Prague after Zeman called the ethnic Germans in pre-war Czechoslovakia "Hitler's [[Fifth column]]".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1846915.stm |title=Schroeder snubs Prague |date=28 February 2002 |work=BBC News |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref> Zeman stated that "the Czechs and Slovaks were doing the [[Sudeten Germans]] a favor by [[Expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia|expelling them]], because they granted them their wish to go [[Heim ins Reich]]".<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=pqy-yA8Wr-gC&q=zeman+Heim+ins+reich&pg=PA121 |title=The Myriad Chronicles |date=31 January 2013|publisher=Xlibris Corporation |isbn=9781453505281 }}</ref> Later, Zeman called [[Karel Schwarzenberg]], his rival in the presidential campaign of 2013, a "[[Sudeten Germans|sudeťák]]" (Sudeten German),<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.ihned.cz/politika/c1-59149540-zeman-a-schwarzenberg-se-stretli-v-druhe-televizni-debate-lehci-ton-stridaly-tvrde-utoky |title=Zeman a Schwarzenberg se střetli v druhé televizní debatě. Lehčí tón střídaly tvrdé útoky |date=18 January 2013 |work=[[Hospodářské noviny]] |language=cs |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref> leading the Austrian ''[[Die Presse]]'' to ascribe Zeman's victory to an "unprecedented [[Anti-German sentiment|anti-German]] dirty campaign."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czechs-wasting-chance-to-change-policy-german-handelsblatt/894237 |title=Czechs wasting chance to change policy – German Handelsblatt |date=27 January 2013 |publisher=České noviny |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

On 26 May 2014, during [[Yom Ha'atzmaut|festivities celebrating the independence of Israel]], Zeman said "So let me quote one of their [Islamic] sacred texts to support this statement: "A tree says, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. A stone says, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/zeman-nestastne-citoval-z-muslimske-apokalypsy-fu0-/domaci.aspx?c=A140527_172823_domaci_jp|title=Zeman citoval islámské proroctví. Nešťastné, soudí orientalista |last=Pokorný |first=Jakub |date=27 May 2014 |work=Mladá fronta DNES |language=cs |access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> I would criticize those calling for the killing of Arabs, but I do not know of any movement calling for mass murdering of Arabs. However, I know of one anti-civilization movement calling for the mass murder of Jews."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.reflex.cz/clanek/zpravy/56765/zeman-o-bruselskych-vrazdach-muze-za-to-islam.html |title= Zeman o bruselských vraždách: Může za to islám |last=Stonišová |first=Tereza |date=28 May 2014 |work=[[Reflex (magazine)|Reflex]] |language=cs |access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> When criticized and urged to apologise by the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], his office replied "President Zeman definitely does not intend to apologise. For the president would consider it [[blasphemy]] to apologise for the quotation of a sacred Islamic text."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/39532-zeman-will-not-apologize-for-statements-on-islam |title=Zeman will not apologize for statements on Islam |date=10 June 2014 |publisher=Prague Post|agency=[[Czech News Agency]]|access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160325072824/http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/39532-zeman-will-not-apologize-for-statements-on-islam |archive-date=25 March 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Zeman's comments on the [[Jewish Museum of Belgium shooting]] and "Islamic ideology" in June 2014 caused a diplomatic dispute with [[Saudi Arabia]]. The diplomatic source said: "The Saudis had an exact list of what Zeman said on the issue in the past. The list had several pages. The [Czech] ambassador was in a very unpleasant situation as the protest had never gone so far before."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/39575-czech-envoy-called-on-carpet-over-zeman-s-anti-muslim-words |title=Czech envoy called on carpet over Zeman's anti-Muslim words |work=The Prague Post |date=13 June 2014}}</ref>

On 17 November 2014, the 25th anniversary of the [[Velvet Revolution]], thousands of Czechs took part in a demonstration against Zeman, protesting his pro-Russian stance and vulgar language.<ref name=AFP141117>{{cite news |url= http://www.afp.com/en/news/protesters-give-czech-president-red-card-mark-velvet-revolution |title=Protesters give Czech president red card to mark Velvet Revolution |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |date=17 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141118124759/http://www.afp.com/en/news/protesters-give-czech-president-red-card-mark-velvet-revolution |archive-date=18 November 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=BBC141117/> Eggs were also thrown, with one accidentally hitting the German president, [[Joachim Gauck]]; German officials said it was just a piece of eggshell.<ref name=BBC141117>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30086495 |title=Czech president pelted with eggs on revolution anniversary |publisher=BBC News |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=18 November 2014}}</ref> On the same day, a group of about 60 people held a counter-demonstration in support of president Zeman.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/akce-na-podporu-zemana-prilakala-desitky-lidi_324504.html |title=Akce na podporu Zemana přilákala desítky lidí |date=17 November 2014 |publisher=TÝDEN.cz |language=cs}}</ref>

In September 2017 Zeman suggested that [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] could become a base for [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|Islamic State]], causing a diplomatic row and provoking criticism from President [[Bakir Izetbegović]] and the [[Bosniak]] public.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/bosnian-leader-accuses-zeman-of-islamophobia-over-is-claim |title=Bosnian leader accuses Zeman of islamophobia over IS claim |date=29 August 2017 |publisher=radio.cz}}</ref>

===Lawsuits===
Zeman has a long history of losing lawsuits regarding his public comments. In 1993 Zeman lost his lawsuit over his defamatory statement towards former police officer Milan Hruška. He falsely accused him of lack of intelligence and inadequate education. Zeman was fined, but ignored the court ruling and never apologised.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/milos-zeman-stale-ignoruje-narizeni-soudu-fj2-/domaci.aspx?c=A000909194530domaci_has |title=Miloš Zeman stále ignoruje nařízení soudů |language=cs |date=9 September 2000 |access-date=20 March 2016|website=[[iDNES.cz]]|publisher=[[Mafra (company)|Mafra]]}}</ref>

In 1997 Zeman accused his party colleague [[Jozef Wagner]] of wanting to join the [[Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia|Communist Party]] after leaving his faction in the Chamber of Deputies. Zeman lost the lawsuit and was ordered to apologise and pay compensation. Zeman initially ignored the ruling, before apologising in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/domaci/skolstvi/at-zeman-dokaze-ze-je-chlap-politici-o-soudem-narizene-omluve_374507.html |title=Ať Zeman dokáže, že je chlap, žádá ministr po verdiktu soudu |language=cs |date=2 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016|website=Týden}}</ref> In 2000, Prague City court ordered Zeman to apologise to politician [[Miroslav Macek]] after he described him as a "thief".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/zeman-se-musi-mackovi-omluvit-dkp-/domaci.aspx?c=A000504113057domaci_jkl|title=Zeman se musí Mackovi omluvit |language=cs |date=4 May 2000 |access-date=20 March 2016|website=[[iDNES.cz]]|publisher=[[Mafra (company)|Mafra]]}}</ref> In 2007, Prague City court ruled that Zeman had unlawfully accused journalist Ivan Brezina of corruption. Zeman was ordered to publicly apologise by means of a newspaper article and pay 50,000 CZK in damages.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.respekt.cz/last-week/last-week-16-2007 |title=LAST WEEK 16/2007 |date=16 March 2007 |work=[[Respekt]] |access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref>

On 19 February 2012, the [[Supreme Administrative Court of the Czech Republic|Supreme Administrative Court]] ruled that Zeman's campaign team had lied during the presidential campaign. According to the court ruling, this did not affect the outcome of the elections.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://zpravy.aktualne.cz/court-zeman-campaign-lied-but-vote-outcome-unaffected/r~i:article:771831/|title=Court: Zeman campaign lied, but vote outcome unaffected |date=19 February 2013 |access-date=20 March 2016|website=Aktuálně.cz}}</ref>

On 2 March 2016, The Prague 1 District Court ruled that Zeman had falsely accused well-known journalist [[Ferdinand Peroutka]] of comments that appeared to be positive about [[Adolf Hitler]]. According to the preliminary judgement the Office of the President had to publicly apologise to Terezie Kaslová, Peroutka's descendant.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.rozhlas.cz/zpravy/politika/_zprava/hrad-se-musi-omluvit-za-vyroky-prezidenta-na-adresu-ferdinanda-peroutky--1589505 |title=Hrad se musí omluvit za výroky Zemana o Peroutkovi, chystá odvolání |language=cs |date=2 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016|website=[[Czech Radio]]}}</ref> After the final appeal failed, the president's office announced on 23 September that it would appeal in the [[Supreme Court of the Czech Republic|Supreme Court]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/castle-refuses-apology-in-peroutka-case-citing-fear-of-flood-of-lawsuits |title=Castle refuses apology in Peroutka case citing fear of flood of lawsuits |date=23 September 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016|website=[[Czech Radio]]}}</ref> Zeman said that he was not suffering from [[senile dementia]] and insisted that the article existed.<ref>{{cite web |title="Nejsem senilní." Peroutka článek o Hitlerovi napsal, trvá na svém Zeman |url= https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/peroutka-clanek-o-hitlerovi-napsal-trva-na-svem-zeman-nejsem/r~3dc7ff82e39411e5ae64002590604f2e/ |website=Aktuálně.cz |access-date=15 November 2017 |language=cs |date=6 March 2016}}</ref> His spokesperson Jiří Ovčáček has been looking for it since February 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kottová |first=Anna |title=Dva roky kauzy Peroutka. Článek Hitler je gentleman jsem četl, trvá na svém Zeman |url= https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/dva-roky-kauzy-peroutka-clanek-hitler-je-gentleman-jsem-cetl-trva-na-svem-zeman_201701271506_akottova2 |website=[[Czech Radio]] |access-date=15 November 2017 |language=cs |date=27 January 2017}}</ref> The office was fined 100,000 Kč in October 2016 for failing to apologise. However, the Supreme Court stated on 28 October 2016 that the apology would not be necessary until the court had ruled on the Office's appeal.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/bulletin/daily-news-summary-2016-10-28 |title=Daily News Summary - Office of the President need not apologize for Peroutka comments for the time being |date=28 October 2016 |access-date=1 January 2017|website=[[Czech Radio]]}}</ref>

On 1 April 2024, [[Supreme Court of the Czech Republic]] ruled that Zeman in November 2017 had falsely informed about his former adviser Zdeňek Šarapatka of being fired for incompetence and was ordered to apologise.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nohl|first=Radek|url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-kauzy-zeman-se-musi-omluvit-za-pomlouvacny-vyrok-potvrdil-nejvyssi-soud-248774|title=Zeman se musí omluvit za pomlouvačný výrok, potvrdil Nejvyšší soud|date=1 April 2024 |access-date=18 April 2024|website=[[Seznam Zprávy]]|language=cs}}</ref> On 17 April 2024, Šarapatka received a letter with Zeman's apology for his defamatory statement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nohl|first=Radek|url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-kauzy-prisla-zprava-od-zemana-omlouvam-se-za-dehonestujici-vyrok-napsal-250065|title=Přišla zpráva od Zemana. Omlouvám se za dehonestující výrok, napsal|date=17 April 2024 |access-date=18 April 2024|website=[[Seznam Zprávy]]|language=cs}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Katerina zemanova (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Kateřina Zemanová, Miloš Zeman's daughter]]
In the 1970s, Zeman was married to Blanka Zemanová; the couple divorced in 1978.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.blesk.cz/clanek/zpravy-politika/182021/nasli-jsme-utajovanou-prvni-manzelku-milose-zemana.html |title=Našli jsme utajovanou první manželku Miloše Zemana! |last=Pospíšilová |first=Eva |date=25 September 2012 |work=[[Blesk]] |language=cs |access-date=27 January 2013}}</ref> In 1993, he married his assistant Ivana Bednarčíková<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lidovky.cz/ivana-zemanova-zena-ve-stinu-sveho-muze-fcs-/lide.asp?c=A120126_184856_lide_rka |title=Ivana Zemanová: Hospodyně ve stínu premiéra |last=Zídek |first=Petr |date=26 January 2012 |work=[[Lidové noviny]] |language=cs |access-date=27 January 2013}}</ref> (born 29 April 1965).

He has an adult son named David from his first marriage. His daughter from the second, Kateřina Zemanová (born 1 January 1994), was one of the most visible faces in Zeman's presidential election team. In a post-election speech, Zeman asked her to be his "informal [[First Lady]]", as his wife is reportedly shy and does not like media attention.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://doma.nova.cz/clanek/krasaamoda/katerina-zemanova-nejvetsi-prezidentova-chlouba.html |title=Kateřina Zemanová: Největší prezidentova chlouba |date=26 January 2013 |publisher=[[TV Nova (Czech Republic)|doma.nova.cz]] |language=cs |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-date=28 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128092500/http://doma.nova.cz/clanek/krasaamoda/katerina-zemanova-nejvetsi-prezidentova-chlouba.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> When asked about his religious beliefs, he describes himself as a "tolerant [[atheist]]".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.krestandnes.cz/article/milos-zeman-jsem-tolerantni-ateista/21707.htm|title=Miloš Zeman: Jsem tolerantní ateista |last=Čižmár |first=Rastislav Tercius |date=13 December 2012 |publisher=Křesťan Dnes |language=cs |access-date=31 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130309041451/http://www.krestandnes.cz/article/milos-zeman-jsem-tolerantni-ateista/21707.htm |archive-date=9 March 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/emergingeurope/2013/03/08/czech-president-milos-zeman-casts-himself-as-unifier |title=Czech President Milos Zeman Casts Himself as Unifier |year=2013 |newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]] |first=Sean |last=Carney |quote=At the close of the speech, which focused entirely on domestic issues with no reference to the European Union or foreign affairs, the new Czech leader described himself as a tolerant atheist.}}</ref>

Zeman is a heavy drinker and long-term chain smoker. He only slightly curbed his consumption of alcohol and cigarettes after being diagnosed with diabetes in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Czech president makes unlikely recommendation: smoking safe if you start late |url= http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-president-makes-unlikely-recommendation-smoking-safe-if-you-start-late |work=Radio Prague |date=21 March 2015|accessdate=17 March 2022}}</ref> He is also suffering from [[diabetic neuropathy]] in the feet, which causes him difficulties when walking and sometimes requires him to use a [[wheelchair]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.praguemonitor.com/2017/08/18/report-president-zemans-health-condition-very-good|title=Report: President Zeman's health condition very good|first=Katerina|last=Svobodova|date=18 August 2017|website=Prague Monitor|access-date=25 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026221437/http://www.praguemonitor.com/2017/08/18/report-president-zemans-health-condition-very-good|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2024, he was hospitalized in serious but stable condition and underwent surgery following a blood clot in his leg.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Czech President Milos Zeman is in serious but stable condition after surgery for blood clot |url=https://apnews.com/article/former-czech-president-zeman-surgery-bb387ad7e080d3715423f671b989351f |work=Associated Press |date=15 March 2024 |accessdate=15 March 2024}}</ref> He was discharged in April.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Czech President Milos Zeman released from a hospital after surgery for a blood clot |url=https://apnews.com/article/czech-former-president-zeman-5fa61f4752bcd9af267b088fe14d63ad |work=Associated Press |date=3 April 2024 |accessdate=3 April 2024}}</ref>

==State awards==
=== National ===
* [[File:CZE Rad Bileho Lva 1 tridy BAR.svg|55px]] Former ''ex-officio'' Sovereign of the [[Order of the White Lion]] (8 March 2013 – 8 March 2023)<ref name=mf>{{cite web |url= http://zpravy.idnes.cz/co-se-take-bude-odehravat-pri-zemanove-inauguraci-fbr-/domaci.aspx?c=A130306_133626_domaci_kop |title=Zeman bude skládat slib a v průvodu ponesou ústavu i vyznamenání |last=Kopecký |first=Josef |date=6 March 2013 |work=Mladá fronta DNES |language=cs |access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref>
* [[File:CZE Rad T-G-Masaryka 1tr (1994) BAR.svg|55px]] Former ''ex-officio'' Sovereign of the [[Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk]] (8 March 2013 – 8 March 2023)<ref name=mf/>

=== Foreign ===
*{{flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria]] (2 March 2023)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.echo24.cz/a/H2Dzr/zpravy-domov-von-der-bellen-na-prazskem-hrade-rad-bileho-lva|title=Zeman si s Van der Bellenem vyměnili nejvyšší státní vyznamenání|website=echo24.cz|language=cs|date=2 March 2023}}</ref>
*{{flag|Germany}}: Grand Cross Special Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]] (5 May 2014)
*{{flag|Hungary}}: Grand Cross with Chain of the [[Hungarian Order of Merit]] (3 March 2023)
*{{flag|Israel}}: Recipient of the [[President's Medal (Israel)|President's Medal]] (11 July 2022)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/milos-zeman-herzog-lipavsky-omluva-osn_2207111335_jip|title=Prezident Izraele je na návštěvě Prahy. Zeman se mu omluvil za údajně nedostatečnou podporu v OSN|website=iROZHLAS|language=cs|date=2022-07-11|access-date=2022-07-11}}</ref>
*{{flag|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon with Collar of the [[Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali]] (11 February 2015)<ref>{{cite news |title=Jordan, Czech Republic set to boost ties at all levels |url= http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-czech-republic-set-boost-ties-all-levels |access-date=11 September 2016 |newspaper=The Jordan Times |date=11 Feb 2015}}</ref>
*{{flag|North Macedonia}}: Recipient of the [[Order 8-September]] (9 June 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/svet/v-makedonii-dostal-zeman-nejvyssi-statni-vyznamenani-v-armenii-sud-konaku-114795|title=V Makedonii dostal Zeman nejvyšší státní vyznamenání, v Arménii sud koňaku|language=cs|work=Czech News Agency|publisher=Czech Television|date=9 June 2016|access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref>
*{{flag|Poland}}: Knight of the [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|Order of the White Eagle]] (15 March 2016)
*{{flag|Serbia}}: Second Class of the [[Order of the Republic of Serbia]] (15 February 2020)
*{{flag|Slovakia}}: First Class of the [[Order of the White Double Cross]] (27 May 2014)
*{{flag|Slovenia}}: Recipient of the [[Order for Exceptional Merits (Slovenia)|Order for Exceptional Merits]] (18 February 2016)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.uradni-list.si/1/content?id=125429#!/Ukaz-o-podelitvi-odlikovanja-Republike-Slovenije |title=Uradni list - Vsebina Uradnega lista |website=uradni-list.si}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Miloš Zeman}}
*[http://www.hrad.cz/en/president-of-the-cr/current-president-of-the-cr-milos-zeman/curriculum-vitae.shtml Curriculum Vitae] at the website of the [[Prague Castle]]
*{{C-SPAN|81565}}
*{{IMDb name|1179461}}
*{{NYTtopic|people/z/milos_zeman}}
*[http://www.vlada.cz/cz/clenove-vlady/historie-minulych-vlad/rejstrik-predsedu-vlad/milos-zeman-18021/ Miloš Zeman] at the website of the [[Government of the Czech Republic]] {{in lang|cs}}

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{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jiří Horák]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Czech Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]]|years=1993–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Vladimír Špidla]]}}
{{s-new|party}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Party of Civic Rights]]|years=2010}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Vladimír Hönig]]<br />{{small|Acting}}}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Milan Uhde]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)|President of the Chamber of Deputies]]|years=1996–1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Václav Klaus]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Josef Tošovský]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of the Czech Republic]]|years=1998–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Vladimír Špidla]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Václav Klaus]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Czech Republic]]|years=2013–2023}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Petr Pavel]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Miloš Zeman}}
{{Presidents of the Czech Republic}}
{{CzechPMs}}
{{Zeman Cabinet}}
{{Czech Social Democratic Party|state=collapsed}}
{{Candidates in the Czech presidential election, 2003}}
{{Candidates in the Czech presidential election, 2013}}
{{Candidates in the Czech presidential election, 2018}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zeman, Milos}}
[[Category:Miloš Zeman|*]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Politicians from Kolín]]
[[Category:Anti-Islam sentiment in the Czech Republic]]]
[[Category:Communist Party of Czechoslovakia members]]
[[Category:Civic Forum politicians]]
[[Category:Civic Movement politicians]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Czech Social Democratic Party]]
[[Category:Czech atheists]]
[[Category:Czech critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Czech Social Democratic Party MPs]]
[[Category:Party of Civic Rights politicians]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of the Nations of Czechoslovakia (1986–1990)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of the Nations of Czechoslovakia (1990–1992)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of the People of Czechoslovakia (1992)]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (1996–1998)]]
[[Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (1998–2002)]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2003 Czech presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2013 Czech presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2018 Czech presidential election]]
[[Category:Czech Social Democratic Party presidential candidates]]
[[Category:Czech Social Democratic Party prime ministers]]
[[Category:Prague University of Economics and Business alumni]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali]]
[[Category:Czech wheelchair users]]