jiri drahos the singing scientist running
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

For Czech president

Jiri Drahos, the singing scientist running

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Jiri Drahos, the singing scientist running

Presidential candidate Jiri Drahos
Prague - Egypt Today

Jiri Drahos, a Czech presidential candidate who will face-off against pro-Russian incumbent Milos Zeman in a run-off in 15 days, is a pro-European scientist with a life-long passion for music.

The chemist and former head of the Czech Academy of Sciences won 26.58 percent in the first round of the presidential election on Friday and Saturday, against Zeman's 38.6 percent.

Drahos has said that he will campaign to "anchor the Czech Republic in Euro-Atlanticism" in a clear jibe at the Kremlin-oriented Zeman.

Analysts say that since he can count on the support of several round-one also-rans, the 68-year-old stands a good chance of beating Zeman in the second round run-off vote on January 26-27.

Favoured by liberal voters and urbanites, the bespectacled, dove white-haired scientist boasts sophistication and manners radically different from those of the current head of state, who can be outspoken to the point of being rude.

But analysts say that compared to the charismatic Zeman, Drahos appears dull, even wishy-washy.

Drahos argues he is simply doing his best to bring decency to politics, which is "neither a weakness nor a reason to be laughed at."

While the physically fit Drahos has said he quit smoking at age 13, Zeman, 73, is a frail-looking chain smoker and passionate drinker who walks with a cane and suffers from diabetic neuropathy.

Drahos has also had a life-long passion for music -- he first played piano in a band he formed with his brother, then they switched to rock, and now he sings in a choir that he joined 43 years ago.

- Farm hand -

Drahos spent his early years in the easternmost Czech town of Jablunkov, where he was born on February 20, 1949.

He has recalled taken up piano and trumpet lessons, but also working at his uncle's farm.

"I first mowed with a scythe at eleven," Drahos said, adding that he had mucked manure and dried hay as well as slaughtering and skinning rabbits.

After secondary school, Drahos moved to Prague to study physical chemistry at the University of Chemistry and Technology.

At 24, he joined the Czech Academy of Sciences, which he ended up leading from 2009 to 2017.

Refusing to join the Communist Party or the Communist secret police, Drahos was an ordinary researcher until the 1989 Velvet Revolution that toppled totalitarian rule in former Czechoslovakia.

He went on a year-long stay in Hannover, West Germany in 1985, owing to a fellowship provided by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

"My wife and children had to stay in Prague as hostages," says Drahos.

After 1989, his career blossomed -- he became professor in 2003 and deputy head of the Czech Academy of Sciences two years later.

"My career at the academy has taught me to respect facts and promise only what I'm really able to do, and, of course, endurance," says Drahos.

"As chairman, I led scores of talks with politicians," he adds, answering those who question his experience with politics.

A supporter of his country's EU and NATO membership, Drahos wants the Czech Republic to "play an active role in the EU," but he has also joined the chorus of eastern leaders when he said "a clear no to refugee quotas" proposed by the EU.

Married to librarian Eva since 1974, Drahos likes to spend his free time with his wife and two daughters at a weekend house.

"My wife and I love opera. I also listen to Eric Clapton, John Mayall, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones," says Drahos.

Speaking English, German, Russian and Polish, Drahos also lists hiking and cross-country skiing among his hobbies.

Source:AFP

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

jiri drahos the singing scientist running jiri drahos the singing scientist running



GMT 11:22 2018 Wednesday ,10 October

Saudi student found dead inside US apartment

GMT 11:42 2018 Wednesday ,10 October

Four dead in Manama gas cylinder blast

GMT 08:32 2017 Thursday ,02 March

Sudan’s Bashir names ally prime minister

GMT 17:55 2011 Wednesday ,16 November

S. Africa seeks DNA of rhino horns seized in Hong Kong

GMT 13:57 2016 Wednesday ,24 February

Fans of Indian politician get tattoos for her birthday

GMT 00:01 2012 Tuesday ,08 May

Beren Saat, dream woman for Arab men

GMT 15:24 2017 Thursday ,17 August

12 Daesh elements killed in tunnel collapse

GMT 17:05 2012 Saturday ,10 March

Literary giants come face to face with readers

GMT 04:50 2016 Monday ,12 December

Al Azhar Imam heads for Abu Dhabi

GMT 19:49 2016 Tuesday ,14 June

Trudeau : Canadian hostage likely killed

GMT 08:24 2013 Thursday ,31 January

Cinderella

GMT 12:30 2014 Thursday ,03 April

Game developers to go global with Google play

GMT 03:46 2015 Wednesday ,09 September

Microsoft buys cloud computing security startup

GMT 15:42 2016 Sunday ,21 August

Facebook woos video-loving teenagers with new app

GMT 14:47 2012 Wednesday ,20 June

How to get rid of pimple marks
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday