ODS supports govt partner´s candidate in Czech presidential race

The ODS´s candidate, Senate deputy chairman Premysl Sobotka failed in the January 11-12 first round of the election, from which Schwarzenberg and former socialist prime minister Milos Zeman advanced to the run-off vote due on January 25-26.

"We have always supported another right-wing candidate if our own candidate failed to advance," Necas told journalists.

The Czechs are choosing new president in direct election for the first time. Previously, presidents were elected by parliament.

Necas probably alluded to the Senate elections, in which a majority system of a two-round vote is applied, similar to the presidential election´s.

"We hold consistent views, that is why we consider it natural for the ODS leadership to voice support for the presidential candidacy of Karel Schwarzenberg," Necas said.

The ODS leadership called on citizens to cast their ballots in support of Schwarzenberg, chairman of the conservative TOP 09 party.

The other mainstream party, the senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) whose candidate also failed in the first round, have already expressed support for Zeman, who chaired the CSSD in the 1990s but later fell out with it and now he is running as a candidate of the small Citizens´ Rights Party (SPOZ).

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz