Public Affairs party leader tops popularity poll

An opinion poll has put the leader of the Public Affairs party, Radek John, as the most popular politician in the Czech Republic. The STEM poll released on Monday showed positive ratings for Mr. John from 61 percent of those questioned. He was followed in popularity by Social Democrat deputy leader Bohuslav Sobotka with 50 percent and the chairman of the TOP 09 party Karel Schwarzenberg with 43 percent. Recent opinion polls suggest that Public Affairs could make a breakthrough in the elections to the lower house at the end of May and win seats in parliament, possibly having a decisive say in the shape of a future coalition.