Bohuslav Sobotka re-elected Social Democrat leader

The incumbent Social Democrat leader, Bohuslav Sobotka was re-elected party chairman at a congress in Ostrava on Friday. Mr Sobotka, who faced no challengers for the post, was backed by more than 500 of 600 delegates at the event. After the vote, Bohuslav Sobotka said the party must present a realistic programme for the next general election, rather than populist promises. The opposition is generally expected to win the next parliamentary election, scheduled for 2014. The re-elected chairman also said the first legislation to be passed by his government would be an act on property declarations.

The Social Democrat congress also re-elected Michal Hašek the party's first deputy chair; 13 people, including Social Democrat presidential candidate Jiří Dienstbier, are meanwhile running for five posts of deputy chairs.

Author: Jan Richter