Former PM Topolánek no longer a Civic Democrat

Former prime minister Mirek Topolánek, who led the centre-right Civic Democrats until 2009, has left the ranks of his former party by not renewing membership by not paying his dues. Mr Topolánek confirmed he had left the party, having spoken not long ago with current leader Petr Fiala. Since leaving politics, the former PM has worked in the energy sector. In his political heyday Mr Topolánek clashed most often with former Social Democrat leader Jiří Paroubek; during the Czech EU presidency, Topolánek's government was toppled in a vote of no confidence. He stayed on as party leader but was forced to step down amidst controversial remarks for a gay magazine in 2010.