Necaš confirms candidature for chairmanship of Civic Democrats

Petr Necaš has confirmed that he will stand for chairman of the Civic Democrats at a party congress on the third weekend of this month. He has been acting head of the party since Mirek Topolánek stepped down in April after seven years in the post; he had come under pressure over remarks he made about government members and minorities. If Mr Necaš is elected, the former labour minister will be the third chairman of the Civic Democrats, after founder Václav Klaus and Mr Topolánek.