Czech Republic to vote in presidential runoff January 25, 2013 - 10:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Czech Republic begins on Friday, January 25 the second and final round of the country’s first direct presidential vote that will last into Saturday, RIA Novosti said. The presidential runoff following the first round held on January 11-12 left Karel Schwarzenberg, the Czech foreign minister and a prince from an 800-year-old aristocratic family, facing former Prime Minister Milos Zeman. A total of 14,900 polling stations, including over 100 abroad, will be open for Czech citizens on Friday between 14:00 and 22:00 GMT and on Saturday between 8:00 and 14:00 GMT. The presidential office in the Czech Republic is vested with considerable authority. Since the country declared independence in 1993, the president was elected by the parliament, but rules were amended last year, paving the way for the first presidential elections in the country. Schwarzenberg, 75, who spent the years of Communist rule in emigration, is known for his considerable wealth and has been proclaimed Czech Republic’s richest politician - which, he claimed, makes him immune to corruption. On the other hand, Zeman, 68, who was Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002, is reputed to be the country’s poorest politician and considered to be incorruptible, though his Party of Civic Rights - Zemanovci admitted to ties to pro-Russian lobbyists.   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 |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
