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| Czech election: Tight run-off between Zeman and Drahos | Czech election: Tight run-off between Zeman and Drahos |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Czechs are going to the polls in 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. | 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. |
| A second day of voting began on Saturday morning. | |
| Voting will end at 13:00GMT, with the result expected a few hours later. | Voting will end at 13:00GMT, with the result expected a few hours later. |
| Voting on Friday, Mr Zeman said Mr Drahos lacked experience. | Voting on Friday, Mr Zeman said Mr Drahos lacked experience. |
| "My opponent is someone who has not yet practised politics," he said. | "My opponent is someone who has not yet practised politics," he said. |
| Meanwhile Mr Drahos thanked his supporters, saying their "energy will not be thwarted, whatever the outcome", AFP reported. | Meanwhile Mr Drahos thanked his supporters, saying their "energy will not be thwarted, whatever the outcome", AFP reported. |
| 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. |
| Mr Zeman's current presidency does not end until March, so he plans to reappoint Mr Babis next month. | Mr Zeman's current presidency does not end until March, so he plans to reappoint Mr Babis next month. |
| 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 |