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| Czech election: Tight run-off between Zeman and Drahos | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Czechs have gone to the polls for a tightly contested presidential election run-off, seen as a vote on the Czech Republic's direction. | |
| The election sees pro-Russia and anti-immigration President Milos Zeman seeking a second five-year term against Jiri Drahos, a pro-EU academic with no previous political experience. | |
| Polls suggest that 10% of voters are still undecided. | Polls suggest that 10% of voters are still undecided. |
| Polling stations will be open on Friday and Saturday. | Polling stations will be open on Friday and Saturday. |
| In the first round, Mr Zeman had 38.6% of the vote while Mr Drahos won 26.6%. Most of the defeated candidates have since endorsed Mr Drahos. | In the first round, Mr Zeman had 38.6% of the vote while Mr Drahos won 26.6%. Most of the defeated candidates have since endorsed Mr Drahos. |
| The election has reflected divisions between low-income voters with lower education and those living in rural areas, who tend to vote for Mr Zeman, and wealthier and well-educated residents of bigger cities, who are likely to prefer Mr Drahos, correspondents say. | The election has reflected divisions between low-income voters with lower education and those living in rural areas, who tend to vote for Mr Zeman, and wealthier and well-educated residents of bigger cities, who are likely to prefer Mr Drahos, correspondents say. |
| The post of president is largely ceremonial but hugely influential. It picks, for instance, which politician can form a government. | The post of president is largely ceremonial but hugely influential. It picks, for instance, which politician can form a government. |
| Mr Zeman has promised to give Prime Minister Andrej Babis, a billionaire businessman, a second chance to form a government after his minority cabinet lost a confidence vote in parliament last week. | Mr Zeman has promised to give Prime Minister Andrej Babis, a billionaire businessman, a second chance to form a government after his minority cabinet lost a confidence vote in parliament last week. |
| Who's who in Czech run-off? | Who's who in Czech run-off? |
| Milos Zeman, 73 | Milos Zeman, 73 |
| Jiri Drahos, 68 | Jiri Drahos, 68 |