Poll: former PM and presidential hopeful Zeman 'in third place'

A new survey conducted by Factum Invenio has suggested that former prime minister and presidential hopeful Miloš Zeman is in third place among voters, trailing early favourites Jan Fischer, who headed an interim government in 2009/2010, and Czech-American economist Jan Švejnar. According to the poll, if the election were held today Mr Fischer would receive 24.4 percent in the first round, followed by Mr Švejnar with 17.8 percent and Mr Zeman with 12 percent. Only the first two would compete in the run-off. Almost 67 percent of voters, the survey suggests, would take part. The Czech Republic will be holding its first-ever direct presidential election in early 2013, when Václav Klaus ends his second and final term in office.