The Czech Republic is set to hold its presidential elections this week, with eight candidates competing for the role. The race is expected to be a closely contested one, with three candidates emerging as the favorites. The presidential elections will take place over two days, with the first round of voting on January 11th and the second round on January 12th.

The three favorites in the presidential race are Jiri Drahos, the former president of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Michal Horacek, a businessman and philanthropist, and the current president, Milos Zeman, who is seeking re-election. Drahos is seen as a traditional and moderate candidate, while Horacek is known for his strong stance on environmental issues. Zeman, on the other hand, is a populist and Eurosceptic politician.

The other five candidates in the race include Marek Hilser, a former ambassador to the United Nations, Pavel Fischer, a diplomat, and political scientist, Marek Mora, a businessman, and Stanislav Fischer, a professor, and entrepreneur.

The role of the president in the Czech Republic is largely ceremonial, but the president does have the power to appoint judges and select a prime minister. The outcome of the presidential race is being closely watched as it could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.

Overall, the Czech Republic’s presidential elections is set to be a closely contested one, with eight candidates competing for the role. Three candidates, Jiri Drahos, Michal Horacek, and Milos Zeman are considered as the front runners. The outcome of the presidential race is being closely watched as it could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.

Article by Prague Forum