Czech Presidential Election: Miloš Zeman and Jiří Drahoš Advance to Second Round

On the second day of the Czech presidential elections, results indicate that the election will go to a second round, where current President Miloš Zeman will compete against Jiří Drahoš. Miloš Zeman, the current president of the Czech Republic, pursues anti-immigration and anti-Islamic policies and favors closer ties with Russia and China in foreign policy. In the Czech parliamentary system, the president does not hold much power, but has had a significant influence in the political landscape in past terms. According to the Czech Constitution, the president has the authority to appoint the prime minister, appoint the board of the central bank, appoint judges to the Constitutional Court (with Senate approval), and grant pardons. With over 97% of votes counted, Miloš Zeman leads with 39% of the votes, while Jiří Drahoš will compete against him in the next round with 26.4% of the votes. Nine candidates participated in this election, most of whom have policies similar to Jiří Drahoš. It is likely that the votes for these candidates will be cast for Drahoš in the second round. Mr. Drahoš told his supporters at an amphitheater in Prague that Miloš Zeman and his advisors will have tough days ahead and urged people to come to the polls for his victory. Drahoš has little political experience and is not affiliated with any party in this election. His slogan is 'Truth, Reason, and Competence,' opposing extremism and populism. Drahoš is a chemistry professor and served as the president of the Czech Academy of Sciences from 2009 to 2017. The election results may also impact the formation of a cabinet by billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Speculations suggest that his first attempt to form a minority government in parliament may fail next week. Zeman, who has supported Babiš, has promised to give Babiš another chance to form a cabinet. Babiš currently has an open case related to a decade ago, accused of illegally misappropriating EU funds, which he denies. Miloš Zeman was prime minister from 1998 to 2002 and was considered center-left at that time, but he has gradually adopted anti-EU and nationalist positions. He is a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump. Among the population of 10.6 million in the Czech Republic, most of Zeman's supporters are from outside major cities.