Former PM appears to lead Czech presidential electionJanuary 12, 2013 - 19:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Former leftist Prime Minister Milos Zeman and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg appear to be the front runners in the first round of the presidential election in the Czech Republic, according to The Associated Press. With the votes from 95 percent of polling stations counted Saturday, Jan 12, Zeman was leading with 24.47 percent of the vote, followed by Schwarzenberg with 22.68 percent. Another former premier Jan Fischer was third with 16.57 percent. With no candidate achieving a majority, the top two finishers — Zeman and Schwarzenberg — would face each other in a runoff in two weeks. Czechs are electing the country's president in a direct popular vote for the first time, choosing from nine candidates to replace euroskeptic President Vaclav Klaus. Zeman and Fischer were considered favorites. Klaus' second and final term in office ends March 7. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |