His betting odds were 1:1.8, while his main rival Sobotka had 1:2.5 odds. Klára Sovová was considered the third strongest candidate, with odds of 1:5. Sobotka was elected as Senator, to serve the rest of Hlavatý's term. Sobotka stated that he plans to focus on regional development. Hlavatý said he had congratulated Sobotka, and suggested that people had most likely decided that businessmen don't belong in politics. Hlavatý decided to leave politics after his defeat. Political scientist Jiří Štefek stated that Hlavatý's defeat was caused by disappointment with Andrej Babiš, and the other parties' support for Sobotka.