Czech deputy Senate chairman not to run for president

Czech Senate deputy chairman Petr Pithart of the Christian Democrats, who was considered to be nominated as a possible presidential candidate by his party, has decided not to run for the post. Mr Pithart told the Czech Press Agency today he didn't want to join an election race that was "lost beforehand". The smaller parties in government as well as the opposition Social Democrats have been discussing the possibility of fielding a joint-candidate to run against current president, Vaclav Klaus.