Czechs vote in second round of presidential election - BBC

Czech voters person been going to the polls to elite a successor to President Milos Zeman, whose 2nd word ends successful March.

The second-round runoff betwixt erstwhile Prime Minister Andrej Babis and retired Nato wide Petr Pavel is portrayed arsenic a contention betwixt populist oligarchy and wide democracy.

Mr Pavel appears to person a commanding pb implicit Mr Babis.

The contention has been marked by disinformation and adjacent decease threats.

In the Czech Republic, the relation of president is simply a mostly ceremonial but inactive highly influential post.

Mr Pavel and Mr Babis came apical retired of the 7 men and 1 pistillate who were successful the archetypal circular to regenerate Mr Zeman.

Now, 2 weeks of progressively ill-tempered and astatine times surreal campaigning present travel to an end.

Mr Pavel went connected societal media this week to contradict rumours of his ain decease which dispersed via email. A transcript of his website besides appeared to denote his decease from bosom failure.

Mr Pavel said the substance was successful the hands of the police.

The disinformation was condemned by Mr Babis, who described the emails arsenic "disgusting" and said helium hoped the constabulary would analyse thoroughly.

Meanwhile, Mr Babis announced earlier this week that helium would cancel each remaining in-person run appearances implicit fears for his idiosyncratic information aft receiving an anonymous decease threat.

Gen Pavel remains the favourite contempt revelations that helium had received grooming successful subject quality during the communist era.

A last rally successful his enactment brought thousands to Prague's Old Town Square, wherever Mr Pavel told the crowd: "When I served successful the Army, I served the state and each successful it careless of governmental preferences, and I privation to service similar that arsenic president."

Mr Pavel's level includes keeping the Czech Republic powerfully anchored successful the European Union and Nato and helium has travel retired powerfully successful favour of further subject assistance for Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

He besides backs the adoption of the euro and progressive policies specified arsenic cheery marriage.

Meanwhile, during his clip arsenic premier minister, billionaire Mr Babis enjoyed adjacent ties with Hungary's Viktor Orban, who continues to clash with the EU implicit the regularisation of law.

He has played connected fears the warfare successful Ukraine could dispersed to cardinal Europe and said helium would connection to mediate bid talks betwixt Russia and Ukraine.

The result of the predetermination volition beryllium announced connected Saturday afternoon.