Expected Klaus departure from Civic Democrats opens wounds in party

The now almost-certain departure of President Václav Klaus from the Civic Democrats has led to both speculation and recriminations about the future of the party. The news comes just one week before the party is set to hold its annual congress; Prague Mayor Pavel Bém is hoping to topple and replace PM Mirek Topolánek as party leader. Reacting to the news of Mr Klaus’s expected departure as the honorary head of the party, Mr Topolánek stated that he was unsurprised by the president’s apparent decision, but also warned that his party needed “crisis management” or it risked losing the trust of the electorate. Meanwhile, Mr Klaus accused the Prime Minister of being friendlier with the EU than with his own citizens. The Czech president is now viewed as unlikely to attend the party’s congress, which some interpret as a blow to the chances of the pro-Klaus mayor Pavel Bém, who recent polls suggest is struggling to rally enough support to topple party leader Mirek Topolánek during an impending leadership challenge.