Vojtěch Filip re-elected chairman of the Communist Party

Vojtěch Filip has been re-elected chairman of the Communist Party.

He was elected in a second-round secret ballot, narrowly defeating "orthodox wing" head Josef Skála. Mr Filip is himself regarded as a more hardline leader than some in the party.

In the ballot he received 165 votes and his challenger 145. The congress is taking place behind closed doors following an address by the president earlier on Saturday.

Author: Jan Velinger