Communists willing to support any one of Klaus' current rivals for the presidency

The Czech Communist Party would in theory be willing to support any one of Vaclav Klaus' three potential rivals for the presidency, said Communist MP Pavel Kovacik on Monday. The three names being touted in connection with the presidency are those of the former Foreign Minister, Jiri Dienstbier, Academy of Sciences Chairman, Vaclav Paces, and economist Jan Svejnar. Mr. Klaus is the only one to have officially announced his candidacy so far. All parties except the ruling ODS have agreed that they do not want Vaclav Klaus to remain president for a second term, though they have so far been unable to unite on any one candidate. On Monday, Communist MP Pavel Kovacik said that he would personally favour Jiri Dienstbier's nomination as, he said, Mr. Dienstbier has a proven track-record in politics. But, Mr. Kovacik said, the Communist Party would be open to negotiation and does not exclude Mr. Paces, nor Mr. Svejnar from the race.