Czechs vote in 2nd round of presidential elections

Former populist Premier Andrej Babis, former Gen. Petr Pavel face off

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Czechs are casting votes Friday to determine their president during the second round of elections.

Billionaire and former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis and former Gen. Petr Pavel are facing off as no candidate received enough votes to claim an absolute majority in the first round two weeks ago.

Babis received 35.65%, while Pavel was close behind with 34.73%, Prague Morning reported, citing results published by the Czech Statistical Office, with 95% of votes counted.

Pavel narrowly defeated Babis in the first round with 35.39% against 35%, according to the Czech Statistics Office.

Economist Danuse Nerudova, the only woman among eight candidates, came a distant third with 13.9%.

To win in the first round an absolute majority was needed, meaning more than half of the ballots.

Kaynak: