Political parties mark May Day four weeks before elections

Political parties in the Czech Republic marked International Workers’ Day. Hundreds of people attended a traditional May Day gathering held by the Communists at Prague’s Výstaviště exhibition grounds. Among those in attendance was Miloš Jakeš (88), who was general secretary of the Communist Party at the time of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. The Social Democrats, who are expected to finish first in elections at the end of this month, held a rally at the city’s náměstí Míru square. Jiří Paroubek was campaigning in Ústí nad Labem, meaning it was the first year he did not appear in the capital on May Day since becoming party leader. The right-of-centre Civic Democrats also held a pre-election event in Prague, drawing potential voters to the top of Petřín hill. May 1 is a state holiday in the Czech Republic.