Klaus will not be attending weekend conference of Civic Democrats; sends letter

President Klaus will not be attending the weekend conference of the Civic Democratic Party, which he founded in 1991 and led for eleven years. Party leader Petr Nečas said that he was not disappointed by the absence and that Mr Klaus had already notified the party that his attendance would be unlikely. The president left a letter for the conference with Mr Nečas and asked that he read it to the assembly in person. Mr Klaus retained the party title of honorary chairman until two years ago, when he gave up his membership because he disagreed with the party’s direction.