The reelection of anti-mass migration Eurosceptic Miloš Zeman to the Czech presidency has caused panic in Brussels, with a referendum on the Slavic country’s EU membership possibly on the cards.

President Zeman won on a platform of fierce opposition to radical Islam and the EU’s plans to impose compulsory migrant quotas on member-states, as well as the bloc’s sanctions on Russia — which he sees as harming European exporters for no appreciable benefit.

The 73-year-old defeated challenger Jiří Drahoš, a left-liberal academic, in every single electoral district outside the cosmopolitan capital and its environs in the first round of the elections — but figures in Brussels hoped the so-called ‘centrist’ candidates asking their voters to swing behind Drahoš in round two would oust the populist incumbent.

First round of Czech elections. Red represents anti-mass migration Miloš Zeman; blue represents Leftist academic Jiří Drahoš. Drahoš is expected to win in round two. This is why it's GOOD the popular vote doesn't decide U.S. elections – would let big cities dominate the country. pic.twitter.com/u5wUgMINN4 — Jack Montgomery ن (@JackBMontgomery) January 17, 2018

However, the veteran Zeman was able to see off the former President of the Czech Academy of Sciences after besting him in a series of head-to-head debates, despite the media — with whom he has an even more stormy relationship than U.S. President Donald Trump — constantly bombarding him with now-familiar accusations of being a Russian puppet.

Zeman’s long-standing opposition to mass migration stood him in good stead compared to his opponent, who voiced half-hearted opposition to the EU’s quotas but suggested he would be open to migrants in “limited” numbers. Polls suggest as many as three-quarters of Czechs are opposed to taking migrants from Muslim-majority countries.

“Trump protects his country” says Czech president's spokesman. “Exactly what EU elites do not do.” #Brexit #Czechout https://t.co/GuLc4Gwj65 — Jack Montgomery ن (@JackBMontgomery) January 28, 2017

This victory, following big wins for conservatives, nationalists, and populists in Austria and in the Czech parliamentary elections last year, alongside the rise of the AfD in Germany and the erosion of globalist-in-chief Angela Merkel’s electoral authority, has set the EU elite on edge.

While officially in support of the Czech Republic continuing its membership of the European Union, Zeman did put his weight behind offering the people a Brexit-style referendum during his election campaign. With the bloc’s approval ratings in the country at an all-time low, this presents Brussels with a real risk of a ‘Czexit’ or ‘Czechout’, before the United Kingdom’s departure is even official.

Czech President: Europe needs its own Second Amendment so citizens are not defenceless against terrorists. #2A https://t.co/POYaxkhkhz — Jack Montgomery ن (@JackBMontgomery) October 12, 2017

“Brexit is a decision that must be respected,” Zeman said on the campaign trail, suggesting that the Czech people should be allowed a vote on their future as well.

Drahoš’s position had been quite different, with the challenger warning that such a vote could be “very dangerous”, and that the Czech Republic did not have a tradition of allowing its citizens a direct say in politics, like nearby Switzerland.

Zeman is also opposed to the Czech Republic joining the euro currency, saying it would lead to “Czech taxpayers paying Greek debt”.

Follow Jack Montgomery on Twitter: @JackBMontgomery