Czech Republic: historic presidential poll

(Vatican Radio) Official results show former leftist Prime Minister Milos Zeman has won round one of the Czech Republic's first direct presidential elections since the breakup of Czechoslovakia 20 years ago.


Prime Minister Zeman received roughly a quarter of the vote in the first round of the Czech Republic's historic presidential elections, according the Electoral Committee.


This was the first time in the young nation's 20-year history that a Czech president was elected by popular vote. In the past they were chosen by the country's parliament.

As the extend of his victory became clear, Zeman, who is 68, thanked those who trusted him with their ballot and his team. "I want to thank the voters...and my team. Without them, I wouldn't able able to make it," Zeman said.


Zeman will have tough competition from the 75-year-old pro-European Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who was placed second with about 23 percent of the vote.


SECOND ROUND

Both men will face each-other in a run-off round on January 25th and January 26th.


The outcome came as a setback for former Prime Minister Jan Fischer who had hoped to become Europe's first directly elected Jewish president.


Fischer, the son of a Holocaust survivor, had urged voters to choose with their heart.


Speaking at a televised debate he said "Don't be poisoned by the politicians, but make your own choice, adding that this is not about the personality of candidates "but about you and the future of the country."


Another prominent candidate, the 53-year-old opera composer, painter and arts professor Vladimir Franz also didn't make it to the second round.


TO SCARY?

Some voters found him to scary as he is tattooed from head to toe, his face a warrior-like mix of blue, green and red.

Prime Minister Petr Necas was expressed disappointment that another candidate of his centre right party didn't win many votes.


He said the election campaign was overshadowed by controversy over the decision by outgoing President Vaclav Klaus to release some 7,000 prisoners since New Year's day.


Necas defended however his decision not to oppose the president's plans.


"The amnesty issue has harmed the election campaign" he said, adding that the "results are disappointing". But he denied that he harmed the interests of the Czech Republic. "Under the law and the traditions of the country" he had to support the amnesty, the prime minister explained.


The new president will replace the euro-sceptic Vaclav Klaus. While largely a ceremonial role, the president yields political influence at a time when the country faces economic decline and over 9 percent unemployment.


Listen to Stefan Bos' report: