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Czechia - 2013 Presidential Election

On January 12, 2013 former leftist prime minister Milos Zeman won the first round of the Czech Republic's first direct presidential vote since the breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Zeman, however, faced tough competition in a second round to replace the euro-skeptic Vaclav Klaus. The former prime minister faced a major challenge from 75-year-old pro-European Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who placed second in the first round with 23 percent of the vote. The two men faced each other in a run-off January 25 and January 26.

Prime Minister Peter Necas voiced disappointment because another presidential hopeful of his ruling center right Civic Democratic Party party did not receive many votes. Though largely a ceremonial role, the president yields political influence at a time when the Czech Republic struggles to overcome economic decline and an unemployment rate of more than 9 percent.

Former prime minister Milos Zeman won the Czech Republic's first direct presidential election on 25 January 2013. The left-leaning former prime minister captured 55-percent of the vote in a run-off against conservative Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. The Necas government had been suffering from rock bottom poll figures for months due to its unpopular austerity policy. The cabinet seemed to be stumbling from one scandal to the next and Zeman won the presidential election partly as a protest against Necas and his team. Milos Zeman, the former Social Democrat prime minister, is fond of a drink or two and a heavy smoker, and is known for his legendary putdowns of political opponents.

Analysts say Zeman's campaign appealed to lower-income and older voters in regions of the country that have suffered in the country's economic downturn. The Czech presidency is a mostly ceremonial role, but the president does yield political influence at a time when the Czech Republic is struggling to overcome economic decline.

Zeman, a former prime minister, frequently has departed from the common EU line on Ukraine and criticized sanctions against Moscow. The government, which is responsible for foreign policy, however, has held the EU line fully. The Czech presidency is largely a ceremonial role, but Zeman - who was the first president directly elected when he took office in 2013 - is outspoken on his views on both domestic and foreign policy.