Czech President Wins New Term in Boon to Euroskeptic Forces

Czech President Milos Zeman reacts as he defeated pro-EU academic Jiri Drahos in the presidential election in Prague, Czech Republic, January 27, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

Czech President Milos Zeman, an ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, won a second term after warning voters that sheltering Muslim immigrants would bring terrorism to a country divided over its place in the European Union.

Zeman, who at 73 was also an early fan of U.S. President Donald Trump, won a weekend runoff for the largely ceremonial post against chemistry professor Jiri Drahos, who campaigned for closer relations with the EU and NATO. The outcome extends an alliance between Zeman and billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who shares his opposition to accepting refugees and deeper integration with the world‘s largest trading bloc.

Zeman‘s victory bolsters forces fighting against the EU‘s liberal, multi-cultural values, a group that includes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Poland‘s ruling Law & Justice Party. While the Czech president holds few formal powers, he has an influential voice in public debates and has fueled an ideological rift among people in a region polarized by issues including the rule of law, immigration and sanctions against Russia.