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Czech election: Tight run-off between Zeman and Drahos Czech election: Zeman beats Drahos to win second term
(about 7 hours 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. Czech President Milos Zeman has won a second five-year term in office following a tight run-off vote against rival Jiri Drahos.
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. Mr Zeman, a pro-Russia and strident opponent of immigration, took 52% of the vote, narrowly beating Mr Drahos, a pro-EU academic with no prior political experience, Czech television reports.
Polls suggest that 10% of voters are still undecided. Saturday's ballot was the second round for the presidential candidates.
A second day of voting began on Saturday morning. In the first round, Mr Zeman had 38.6% of the vote while Mr Drahos won 26.6%.
Voting will end at 13:00GMT, with the result expected a few hours later. Casting his vote 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 news agency 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.
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, 73Milos Zeman, 73
Jiri Drahos, 68Jiri Drahos, 68