Czechs Vote on Whether Polarizing President Gets Second Term
- Incumbent likely to win first round, face challenger in runoff
- Zeman’s top challengers emphasize pro-EU message in campaign
Czech President Milos Zeman
Photographer: Martin Divisek/BloombergCzechs are voting in a presidential election to decide whether to give a second mandate to incumbent Milos Zeman, a frequent critic of European Union policies and a supporter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Opinion polls show Zeman winning the most votes in the first round of voting but too few to avoid a Jan. 26-27 runoff with one of his eight challengers. Among them, Jiri Drahos is the most likely candidate to advance. A 68-year-old chemistry professor and former chief of the academy of science, Drahos is pledging to improve ties with the EU and return "dignity" to the presidential post -- a campaign jab against Zeman who has polarized the political landscape. Polling stations opened at 2 p.m. and will close at 10 p.m. Friday. Voting will last from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday.