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(ANSA-AFP) - PRAGUE, JAN 27 - Polling stations opened Friday
for the Czech presidential election run-off in which retired
NATO general Petr Pavel is expected to beat billionaire former
prime minister Andrej Babis. Despite the grim weather, analysts
expected high turnout for the two-day vote, which follows an
election campaign marked by hostility and controversial comments
regarding the war in Ukraine. The victor will replace Milos
Zeman, an outspoken and divisive politician who nursed close
ties with Moscow before making a U-turn when Russia invaded
Ukraine last year. Former paratrooper Pavel topped final opinion
polls with 58-59 percent support, compared with 41-42 percent
for Babis. Eight candidates stood in the first round vote when
Pavel edged Babis with 35.4 percent against 35, and with right
and centre backing he has since wooed the voters of several of
the other candidates. (ANSA-AFP).
