Miroslav Kalousek elected new chairman of TOP 09

Former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek was voted in as the new chairman of TOP 09 on Sunday, receiving a strong mandate from delegates. Of the 171 who voted, Mr Kalousek received votes from 148 (86.5 percent). No one else at the party's congress ran for the top post. Likewise, Marek Ženísek, endorsed by Mr Kalousek, ran unopposed for the post of first deputy and received 71 percent.

A day earlier, Karel Schwarzenberg stepped down for age and health reasons but was elected honorary chairman and intends to still work closely with the party in the campaign in senate and communal elections. Mr Kalousek thanked him for his work as party leader and made clear Mr Schwarzenberg would continue to be a moral authority for TOP 09.