Civic Democrat regional assemblies strengthen incumbent leader ahead of crucial vote

A series of votes across the Czech Republic by regional assemblies of the Civic Democratic Party, appear to be strengthening the position of the incumbent party leader Mirek Topolánek. The votes are taking place ahead of the Civic Democrat party conference to be held in a week’s time, when Prague mayor Pavel Bém will challenge Mr Topolánek for the leadership of the party. Despite the continuing struggles within the Civic Democrats, both opinion polls as well as the results from the regional votes appear to suggest that Mr Bém will have a hard time ousting his incumbent colleague. So far, Mr Topolánek has been endorsed by six regional assemblies, while his opponent has yet to gain a single region-wide endorsement. However, the Prague assembly is widely expected to endorse Mr Bém, where the challenger serves as the city’s major. So far, nine of fourteen such votes have taken place, with Mr Topolánek winning endorsements from party members in the Pardubice, Zlín, Plzeň, Olomouc, Jihlava and southern Moravia regions. Another three regions have voted to endorse neither candidate.