- Title: CZECH REPUBLIC: Candidates drawing their campaigning for president to a close.
- Date: 9th January 2013
- Summary: PEOPLE AT THE SQUARE MILOS ZEMAN ARRIVING ON STAGE MILOS ZEMAN SPEAKING TO HIS FANS AT THE SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) PRESIDENT CANDIDATE MILOS ZEMAN SAYING: "I would like to support furthering investments but not detrimental rampant state consumption."
- Embargoed: 24th January 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Czech Republic
- Country: Czech Republic
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA66FIAZWLWXM42KD4K8N255G7W
- Story Text: Czech candidates draw to a close their campaigning for presidential election.
People of the Czech Republic are for the first time voting directly their president. After the nomination, nine candidates came up: former prime ministers Milos Zeman and Jan Fischer, present Foreign Minister and former Chancellor to President Vaclav Havel Karel Schwarzenberg, politicians Jiri Dienstbier, Premysl Sobotka, Zuzana Roithova, Tanya Fischerova and Jana Bobosikova and university professor and artist Vladimir Franz.
Two of the main candidates for Czech President Milos Zeman and Karel Schwarzenberg had their last pre election concerts in Prague.
Several hundred people came to the Old Town Square in Prague to welcome Milos Zeman and his supporting musicians and artists. Zeman is much more supported outside of Prague in the country.
"I would like to support furthering investments but not detrimental rampant state consumption," announced Milos Zeman from the stage.
Karel Schwarzenberg had his concert at Jiri z Podebrad Square and was clear that Prague citizens like him.
"I am voting Karel Schwarzenberg because I respect him very much and because I think that the heads of the state should be a decent personality and this he is for me," Schwarzenberg fan Martin Kotas said.
"He is successor of Havel tradition. I have a faith that when he will be president, the political scene will become more cultural," said one of the performing singers Matej Ruppert.
Karel Schwarzenberg appeal to the people to take part in the votes.
"Tell all the people to come to the vote. The don't have to vote for me, even if I will be happy when they will, of course," Schwarzenberg said.
The other main candidate - Jan Fischer - had his biggest pre election action last week.
"As a president I will push for lot of concrete actions: from limiting financial support of political parties and cancelling the immunity of deputies and senators and lowering their numbers till property declaration of politicians before starting their function," Fischer said.
There are two main favourites so far: former Social Democrats (CSSD) leader and Prime Minister Milos Zeman with about 23% of preferences and former Prime Minister Jan Fischer now with about 16%. Karel Schwarzenberg with about 14% is following them closely.
First round of the direct presidential elections will take place in the Czech Republic on January 11th and 12th. When none of the candidates gets the over 50% majority, second round will be organized on January 25th and 26th. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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