Jana Maláčová elected leader of the Social Democratic Party

Former labour and social affairs minister Jana Maláčová was elected leader of the Social Democratic Party at a part conference in Hradec Králové on Saturday. She will replace Michal Šmarda who is leaving the post after three years at the helm.

The new party chair will face the uphill task of raising the party’s dwindling popularity ahead of next year’s general elections. In opinion surveys the party has consistently appeared below the 5 percent threshold needed to win seats in the lower house. Her main rival for the top post was former foreign minister Jiří Dienstbier.