Miloš Zeman has been re-elected President of the Czech Republic. He won 51.36 % of the vote, 1 % less than five years ago.
The incumbent had an advantage over his rival already from the first preliminary results. After the first 5 % of precincts were counted he was ahead with roughly 58 % of the votes tallied.
Gradually his gains fell below 52 %. Five years ago he won with 54.8 % of the vote.
Despite losing 1 % of the total returns compared to 2013, due to increased voter turnout Zeman received more votes in absolute terms than he did during the final round in 2013. Back then he was elected by about 2.7 million people, while today he was elected by approximately 2.8 million.
Zeman won in 10 regions, while his opponent, Drahoš, won in four regions including Prague. Drahoš also won the vote of Czechs living abroad.
Voters preferred Drahoš in the Central Bohemian, Hradec Králové, and Liberec Regions. Zeman won all the rest, most significantly in the Moravian-Silesian Region.
The final round of voting involved a record turnout, with participation in excess of 66 % after 97 % of precincts had been counted. Five years ago just 59 % of voters cast ballots in the final round.
