Majority of Czechs favour direct presidential election

Eighty-two percent of Czechs approve of direct presidential elections, according to a survey conducted by the STEM agency for CNN Prima News. Male and female respondents did not differ significantly in their views on how the head of state should be elected.  Younger people and those with a university education were more inclined to express reservations about it. Twelve percent of respondents were against direct presidential elections.

Direct presidential elections were introduced in Czechia in 2013, previously the head of state was elected by the two houses of Parliament.  Miloš Zeman is the first head of state elected in a direct vote, moreover for two successive terms in office.