In the presidential elections in the Czech Republic, there will be a second round in two weeks between former prime minister Andrej Babiš and former chief of staff Petr Pavel. That was the result of the first round of voting, which ended on Saturday. After counting 85 percent of the polling stations, Babiš was ahead with 36 percent of the vote. Pavel received 34 percent of the vote. The economist received almost 14 percent of the vote.
The final result could be even closer or even reversed, as the polling stations in the bigger cities, which tend to be more skeptical about Babiš, are counted last.
The third favorite of the vote, Danuše Nerudová, finished surprisingly far behind in third place. The economist received almost 14 percent of the vote. As expected, the remaining five candidates remained below ten percent. There was a turnout of about 67 percent.
“Big challenge”
Pavel said in a first reaction that he is looking forward to fighting Babiš in the second round. “It will be a big challenge and I like challenges,” said the former NATO general. The question now is whether voters would believe the former prime minister’s “empty promises” or whether they would want change.
The second round will take place on January 27 and 28
Pavel warned that the election of the billionaire entrepreneur as president risks populism and a “democracy turning away from the pro-Western and European course”. The Czech Republic would end up somewhere on the border between West and East, “which would hurt us a lot,” says Pavel. According to previous studies, the 61-year-old would have a better chance of winning the second round. The second round will take place on January 27 and 28. Incumbent President Miloš Zeman’s term of office ends in early March.
Source: Krone
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