Prime Minister says chief rival would not make good party leader

Embattled Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has stated that his chief rival for the post of Civic Democrat party leader, Prague Mayor Pavel Bém, would not serve well in that positron. The comments were made during an interview given by the prime minister, and reflect the current uncertainties over Mr Topolánek’s future given his party’s huge defeat in recent Senate and regional elections. During the interview with the Czech daily Lidové Noviny, Mr Topolánek stated that should Mr Bém decide to challenge his leadership, he would stand against him in the contest. The prime minister has also faced criticism from Czech president and honorary Civic Democrat chairman Václav Klaus, which he shrugged off. However, he has not ruled out the option of stepping down.

Author: Dominik Jůn