Communists and Christian Democrats considering whether to back Svejnar presidential bid

Both the Communists and the Christian Democrats say they are still considering whether to support the possible candidature of Jan Svejnar for the post of president of the Czech Republic. The economist met representatives of both parties in Prague on Tuesday, days after both the Social Democrats and the Greens said they would back in him in February's elections. Mr Svejnar would need the votes of both the Communists and the Christian Democrats to beat the incumbent Vaclav Klaus, the only candidate in the race so far.

Jan Svejnar, who is 54, has spent most of his life in the United States. He was an economic advisor to former president Vaclav Havel for almost a decade.

Author: Ian Willoughby