80% Czechs vote on EU membership

[Gość: YEHUDI MENUHIN]

Czechs vote on EU membership

By Alix Kroeger
BBC correspondent in Prague


Preliminary exit polls from the Czech referendum on joining the European
Union show that more than 80% have voted in favour.
Polls have closed for the first day of voting but are due reopen on Saturday
for a further six hours.


Results are expected around 1600 GMT on Saturday.

But it is difficult to see how Friday's monolithic result could be
overturned.

Many Czechs do have their doubts, among them, the President, Vaclav Klaus.

He has described joining the EU as a marriage of convenience rather than
love and does not want to say how he voted.

"I am absolutely sure that my vote was the right one and you may just
guess," he said.

Fireworks and a celebration concert are already planned for Saturday night.

After that, it's back to work.

The Czech Government is trying to bring its budget into line with EU rules.

But teachers are threatening strike action, and Nato is unhappy about cuts
to defence spending.

There is still much to be done before EU membership becomes a reality next
year.