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Czechs overwhelmingly back EU entry

Czechs overwhelmingly back EU entry

According to exit polls, voters in the Czech Republic have voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the European Union.

Figures just released have indicated that more the turnout was around 57 per cent, and of those who voted 80 per cent backed EU entry.

However, despite the huge mandate in favour of entry, many are believed to remain unconvinced that the right decision has been made.

Of those who have misgivings, the President, Vaclav Klaus, has been one of the most vocal. When he asked how he voted he refused to answer, simply responding: ‘I am absolutely sure that my vote was the right one and you may just guess.’

He had earlier described joining the EU as a marriage of convenience rather than love.

The Czech Republic has now joined Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia as states who have voted in favour of joining the EU.

Only Estonia and Latvia are waiting for referenda to take place.

More will follow when the results are confirmed at 16:00 BST.